After years of talking about a Chet Baker biopic with Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke is finally getting the chance to play the legendary jazz trumpeter in writer-director Robert Budreau’s indie “Born to Be Blue,” which is currently in production in Canada.
Carmen Ejogo (“Selma”) and Callum Keith Rennie (“Fifty Shades of Grey”) co-star in the film, which Hawke helped develop with the producers.
The film is produced by Jennifer Jonas and Leonard Farlinger of New Real Films, Budreau of Lumanity Productions and Jake Seal of Black Hangar Studios. Executive producers include William Santor, John Hills, Andrew Chang-sang of Productivity Media, Adam Moryto, Stefan Jacobs, D. Matt Geller and Gurpreet Chandhoke.
Also read: Ethan Hawke’s Drone Warfare Movie ‘Good Kill’ Strikes IFC Films
K5 International is handling the film’s international rights and will introducing “Born to Be Blue” to buyers next month at the American Film Market in Santa Monica. eOne is distributing the film in Canada.
Inspired by the rise of the talented yet self-destructive jazz legend, “Born to Be Blue” charts Chet Baker’s incredible comeback and the tumultuous love affair that changed the way he played music and helped him on the road to redemption.
“Chet Baker was and remains a truly iconic figure, but the real strength of this project is the incredibly powerful love story at its heart,” K5’s co-founders Oliver Simon and Daniel Baur said in a joint statement.
“Robert Budreau has a clear and brilliant vision for the film that we are sure will resonate with audiences everywhere,” added K5 partner and head of sales Carl Clifton.
Also read: Ethan Hawke’s Documentary ‘Seymour: An Introduction’ Bought by Sundance Selects
Hawke currently stars in “Boyhood” and will soon be seen in Michael and Peter Spierig’s “Predestination,” Michael Almereyda’s “Cymbeline” and Andrew Niccol‘s “Good Kill.” He recently directed the acclaimed documentary “Seymour: An Introduction,” which screened at Telluride, Toronto and the New York Film Festival. He’s repped by CAA, the Schiff Company and attorney George Sheanshang.
Ejogo recently starred in “Sparkle” and will soon be seen as Coretta Scott King in Ava DuVernay’s MLK drama “Selma,” which was produced by Brad Pitt and Oprah Winfrey. She’s repped by ICM Partners and Authentic.
Budreau has worked on a of music-related projects such as “Dream Recording” with jazz pianist David Braid, who also worked on “Born To Be Blue.” Budreau is repped by Brooke Ehrlich Artist Management.