Olivia Thirlby Says 'Mystery White Boy' Aspires to 'Match the Artistry of Jeff Buckley's Music'

Olivia Thirlby’s latest film is Dredd, a comic book adaptation teeming with expectations from fans of the source material, not to mention critics of the 1995 film Judge Dredd. But the actress’ next project, Mystery White Boy, seems no less loaded with anticipation, especially since it focuses on the troubled life of talented musician Jeff Buckley.

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Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter Friday at Comic-Con, Thirlby explained that it’s not a traditional biopic. “I would hate to call it straightforward,” she insists. “But it will be an artistic film that does justice hopefully to a true artist – someone who truly gave something to the world.”

Jeff Buckley was the son of musician Tim Buckley, and followed in his father’s footsteps, achieving minor success with his debut album Grace before accidentally drowning in the Mississippi River at the age of 30. Thirlby was reluctant to reveal who she plays, but said that her character is fictionalized. “I’m playing someone who’s based on a real person that was in his life,” she demurred.

Buckley’s music has achieved legendary status since his death in 1997, thanks in no small part to the licensing of songs like his cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Thirlby said that she hopes the film will live up to the legacy of his work.

“I think that the goal for it is to be able to somewhat match the artistry of the music itself, hopefully.”

Dredd opens nationwide in theaters on September 21, 2012.

Email: mtgilchrist@yahoo.com; Twitter: @mtgilchrist