Focus Features is developing the Mötley Crüe biopic The Dirt, picking up a feature package that sees Jeff Tremaine, the helmer of the Jackass movies, attached to direct.
The project is based on The New York Times bestselling autobiography The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band, which was written by Mötley Crüe members Tommy Lee, Vince Neil, Mick Mars, and Nikki Sixx, as well as author Neil Strauss.
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The book was a no holds barred account of the iconic 1980s band’s rise to top of the hair metal and rock scene, all while experiencing a guitar case’s worth of drug overdoses, sex with slinky babes, run-ins with the police and in-fighting.
Armed with a screenplay written by Rich Wilkes and Tom Kapinos, Focus is promising a “Dr. Feelgood” movie that will be outrageous, larger-than-life depiction of the band’s high (and low) life.
Julie Yorn, Erik Olsen, and Allen Kovac will produce. Chris Nilsson, Steven Kline, and Rick Yorn will executive-produce.
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The band members are co-producers on the film. Amanda Adelson is also a co-producer.
The move kickstarts the heart of the project, which was once housed at Paramount and seen directors such as David Fincher and Larry Charles be sticky sweet on it.
A search for actors will begin shortly.
Josh McLaughlin, Focus’ senior vp of production, will oversee the production on behalf of the studio. Josh Peters, Focus’ director of acquisitions, brought the project into the studio.
Tremaine last directed 2013’s Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, which grossed over $102 million domestically.
