Eddie Murphy is set to bring the “Godfather of Funk” to life as he stars as George Clinton, the iconic leader of Parliament-Funkadelic, in a new biopic from Amazon MGM Studios. Directed by Bill Condon, who previously worked with Murphy on the acclaimed film Dreamgirls, the biopic will explore Clinton’s trailblazing career and the founding of his genre-defining collective, Parliament-Funkadelic.
The film, inspired by Clinton’s memoir, Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard on You?, promises to delve into the wild and often tumultuous journey of one of music’s most influential figures. Known for their sci-fi themes, psychedelic performances, and genre-bending sound, Parliament-Funkadelic redefined music and left an indelible mark on popular culture. “Clinton’s life is a story of grit, creativity, and resilience,” said a representative from Amazon MGM Studios. “We’re thrilled to have Eddie Murphy bring his story to life.”
The Dream Team Reunites
Bill Condon and Eddie Murphy’s collaboration on Dreamgirls earned Murphy a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination. Now, with Condon back in the director’s chair, hopes are high for another round of critical acclaim. “Eddie and Bill have a unique creative chemistry,” shared a source close to the production team. “Their work on Dreamgirls showed us that Eddie can embody characters with remarkable depth.”
The script for the biopic is currently being crafted by Virgil Williams, whose credits include the Oscar-nominated Mudbound, based on an original draft by Max Werner. Longtime Clinton fan Catherine Davis initiated the project, inspired by her admiration for the funk legend’s transformative influence. “This is a dream project for everyone involved,” Davis said, reflecting on Clinton’s enduring legacy.
Eddie Murphy Returning to Amazon MGM Studios
This film also marks Murphy’s continued relationship with Amazon MGM Studios, following projects like Coming 2 America and Candy Cane Lane. In addition to starring, Murphy will produce the film under his Eddie Murphy Productions banner, alongside John Davis from Davis Entertainment. Executive producers include Clinton himself, along with Archie Ivy and Jeff Jampol.
As Murphy prepares to embody George Clinton, fans and critics alike are eager to see how he captures the magic of a true music pioneer. “Clinton changed the music scene forever,” Murphy noted in a recent interview. “It’s an honor to bring his story to the screen.”