Clear Lake, the authorised Buddy Holly biopic is in the works
Driving Miss Daisy director Bruce Beresford is set to helm the project.
Photo: Steve Oroz / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
An authorised Buddy Holly biopic – cleared by the late musician’s estate and developed in association with his widow, Maria Elena Holly – is now in the works. Clear Lake is set to depict Holly embarking on the Biggest Show of Stars tour with Clarence Collins of Little Anthony & The Imperials – with a focal point set on the racially charged time-period of 1958.
Clear Lake was first announced in 2018 with the intention of releasing in 2019 to mark the 60th anniversary of Holly’s death. Its release was delayed, and has since announced Driving Miss Daisy’s Bruce Beresford to helm the project.
“I found myself attracted to Clear Lake because the script tells the tragic story of Buddy Holly and his era in fascinating detail and with vivid characterisations,” Beresford told Variety. “Needless to say, the added plus of all the wonderful music was also a major lure.”
Additionally, the project has also attached Stuart Benjamin – who served as a producer on Ray, the Oscar nominated Ray Charles biopic starring Jamie Foxx; and La Bamba, the biopic on Ritchie Valens – who died in the same plane crash as Holly and “The Big Bopper” J.P. Richardson on 3 February 1959 in Clear Lake, Iowa.
Per The Hollywood Report, Clear Lake is targeted to begin production in late-2020, pending COVID-19 restrictions. Virtual casting for the film is also said to be underway.
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