Stephan James Set To Co-Produce And Star In ‘Jean-Michel Basquiat’ Biopic
The story of Jean-Michel Basquiat will once again be told as Stephan James, known for his role in If Beale Street Could Talk, is developing a biopic about the painter with his production company, Bay Mills Studios, which is co-owned with fellow actor Shamier Anderson, and will be partnering with Boat Rocker Studios to produce the project, according to Variety.
James is set to play the iconic street artist in the limited series, which will highlight Basquiat’s rise, from an obscurity to a rock star Neo-expressionist painter in 1980s New York City. It will also chronicle Basquiat’s friendship with Andy Warhol and how grieving the passing of his friend led to his own demise.
In a statement, Steve Lescroart, president of Boat Rocker Studios, shared how “grateful” he is to work with James and Anderson to tell the story of the late famed artist.
“We’re grateful to be working with Shamier, Stephan, and the entire Bay Mills Studios team to tell the story of a visionary artist whose profound cultural influence only continues to grow with time,” Lescroart shared.
James also commented on how excited he is about the project, sharing how telling the story of Basquiat will be one of the “greatest honors” of his career.
“Jean-Michel is an artist I have long revered, and someone who has greatly influenced my work over the years. To embody such a revolutionary, whose influence in the modern era of pop culture is simply immeasurable, will simply be one of the greatest honors of my career,” James expressed.
Bay Mills Studios is currently under a first-look deal with Boat Rocker.
