Universal Pictures has acquired the rights to a number of classic songs from Prince's catalog and is developing an original film musical inspired by his music, using the songs to drive a fictional narrative.

Insiders stress is that the film is not a biopic but an original story with Prince's classic songs driving the plotline. The Prince estate has been inquiring with studios about such a film, and Universal Chairman Donna Langley worked aggressively to acquire the rights.

Sources close to the situation say the estate and Universal already felt that the biopic angle had largely been covered by Prince’s 1984 star-making film “Purple Rain” and wanted to do something original and outside the box. Meetings have begun with potential writers and producers and execs are hoping the film can be something like Universal’s “Mamma Mia,” with a completely original story where Prince’s music helps drive that narrative.

Atom Factory’s Troy Carter, the entertainment advisor of Prince’s estate will executive produce alongside Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, the exclusive worldwide publishing administrator for Prince’s catalog.

Read full article here:

https://variety.com/2018/...203067739/

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The Prince Estate is FINALLY starting to do right by Prince's legacy with it's latest MEGA deals this year! His music will reach a WHOLE new audience with this project & add more sells , to his already massive, platinum, selling collection of hits.

I absolutely detest "Mamma Mia" but I'm up for anything that increases awareness of Prince's music amongst the masses and especially yougner generations.

brokenhearted1972 said:

I wonder if this’ll be a movie more like “Across The Universe”, where the music was used to help tell the story.

I hope so. Across The Universe was just beautiful and wonderful in every way. I never felt like Girl 6 utilized Prince's music to drive the story as well as Across the Universe did with The Beatles music. Hell, The Muppets episode used the music better than Girl 6, IMO. Mamma Mia took a bit to get used to, but we eventually enjoyed it. I've not seen MM2 yet, but with Cher singing "Fernando", I'm in.

So yeah, this will be interesting.

This is the kind of mainstream thing the estate needs. And while it may not necessarily be what we want, we should be happy about one thing...at the very least this project will be about the MUSIC.

This could go either way--end up great or a total debacle.

Goodness, i hope this doesn't turn out contemp. artists signing P-songs!!

I'd like less "Mama Mia" and more of a "Moulin Rouge" approach. Not sure how feel about this project tbh

is this a lame way to get his music to the masses BEFORE they delve into the vault?

Who wants to bet Janelle Monae will star in it? I just hope they use Prince's recordings and not covers. There are artists out there that can do his music justice, but they probably not mainstream enough. I'm not a fan of how sterile music recording sounds now. And also All My Dreams should be the closing song.

lrn36 said:

Who wants to bet Janelle Monae will star in it? I just hope they use Prince's recordings and not covers. There are artists out there that can do his music justice, but they probably not mainstream enough. I'm not a fan of how sterile music recording sounds now. And also All My Dreams should be the closing song.

lrn36 said:

Who wants to bet Janelle Monae will star in it? I just hope they use Prince's recordings and not covers. There are artists out there that can do his music justice, but they probably not mainstream enough. I'm not a fan of how sterile music recording sounds now. And also All My Dreams should be the closing song.

That's a bit premature since we don't know what the movie is about, who's in it, or what the plot is going to be.

It's safe to say it will be a good two years before we see anything. If they're still in a preproduction or writing phase, that's six months, at least. Plus preproduction itself (sets, schedules, locations, permits, wardrobe etc etc etc), then filming, editing, reshoots, more editing, then marketing... it's not a quick process. I would bet 2021 is the earliest we'll see this project come to light.

Good Lord, when will Prince be allowed to rest in peace?

These people are mad!

lrn36 said:

lrn36 said:

Who wants to bet Janelle Monae will star in it? I just hope they use Prince's recordings and not covers. There are artists out there that can do his music justice, but they probably not mainstream enough. I'm not a fan of how sterile music recording sounds now. And also All My Dreams should be the closing song.

Janelle(whom I met at a ultra private screening of her brilliant performance in "MoonLight") I'm sure would LOVE to be a part of her close friend Prince's new Universal picture. I actually prefer her acting over her singing. She just lights up the screen.

TrivialPursuit said:

lrn36 said:

Who wants to bet Janelle Monae will star in it? I just hope they use Prince's recordings and not covers. There are artists out there that can do his music justice, but they probably not mainstream enough. I'm not a fan of how sterile music recording sounds now. And also All My Dreams should be the closing song.

That's a bit premature since we don't know what the movie is about, who's in it, or what the plot is going to be.

It's safe to say it will be a good two years before we see anything. If they're still in a preproduction or writing phase, that's six months, at least. Plus preproduction itself (sets, schedules, locations, permits, wardrobe etc etc etc), then filming, editing, reshoots, more editing, then marketing... it's not a quick process. I would bet 2021 is the earliest we'll see this project come to light.

Yeah, I know, but it's such a cinematic song and would aslo be a great to use a few unreleased tracks.

lrn36 said:

Yeah, I know, but it's such a cinematic song and would aslo be a great to use a few unreleased tracks.

I'm with ya. It's needed in a movie somewhere or just a fucking release in general. it's one of my all-time favorite outtakes (one of the others being "Moonbeam Levels"). It could certainly work in a feel-good ending, no doubt. At the end in the background, plus over the credits a bit before the bloopers come in. lol

herb4 said:

darkroman said:

Good Lord, when will Prince be allowed to rest in peace?

These people are mad!

?!?

darkroman said:

No thank you.

But i mean, whatever, do what you gotta do to keep the cash flowing.

TrivialPursuit said:

honestly think this is a great idea.If they had ANY smarts they would add 1 or 2 unreleased tracks to esnure we hard core buy in too.....but they wont!

Ahem... Universal, do you need a screenwriter?

I would want to see this movie so long as it avoids a sanitized, PG-13 version of Prince's catalogue. Make it rated R, polysexual, delve into race, gender, and spirituality issues... Fuck family-friendly.

mtlfan said:

gandorb said:

mtlfan said:

Ahem... Universal, do you need a screenwriter?

I would want to see this movie so long as it avoids a sanitized, PG-13 version of Prince's catalogue. Make it rated R, polysexual, delve into race, gender, and spirituality issues... Fuck family-friendly.

And who would play Nikki ?

I'll leave the casting to the studio but I'll bet you she or Dorothy Parker will wear a raspberry beret. Lots of roles for women in this one (if they're under 25).