Daniel Radcliffe Gets “Weird” in Trailer for Weird Al Yankovic Biopic
Daniel Radcliffe has had quite the post Harry Potter career. Hardly playing it safe, Radcliffe has bared body and soul on stage, credibly played a farting corpse in the surprisingly touching Swiss Army Man, played a brash villain in the action-comedy The Lost City, and basically followed his muse in whichever direction it led him. Now, in what feels like a very fitting new role, Radcliffe inhabits Weird Al Yankovic in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story for Roku. The first trailer reveals Radcliffe as the curly-haired musical prankster and it’s just as fun as you’d imagine.
Produced by Funny Or Die and Tango, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is co-written by the real Yankovic himself, along with director Eric Appel. The film is being billed as the “untold true story” of Weird Al’s rise to stardom when he spoofed some of the biggest songs in history with tracks like “I Love Rocky Road,” “Like a Surgeon,” and “Eat It.” If you’re guessing that this “untold true story” will itself be a spoof, gently poking fun at the self-serious biopics of real musical legends, you’re likely on the right track. Not that Weird Al hasn’t enjoyed a tremendous amount of success, mind you. The man is the best-selling comedy recording artist of all time and a five-time Grammy winner.
Radcliffe is joined by a stellar cast that includes Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna; Julianne Nicholson and Toby Huss as Yankovic’s parents; and Rainn Wilson as radio DJ Dr. Demento.
Radcliffe is one of the most game actors of his generation, challenging himself to take on roles that run the gamut from intense, realistic portrayals to, again, a farting corpse. In each performance, what’s clear is Radcliffe seems to be having the time of his life. Embodying someone as unabashedly silly—and wildly successful—as Weird Al seems like a logical next step.
“When my last movie, UHF, came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork,” Yankovic said in a statement when Weird: The Al Yankovic Story was first announced. He’s a man of his word.
Check out the teaser below.
For more upcoming films, check out these stories:
Listen to Lady Gaga’s “Top Gun: Maverick” Song “Hold My Hand”
Bad Bunny Will Star as Marvel Character El Muerto in Upcoming Sony Film
The New “Jurassic Park: Dominion” Trailer is a Rip-Roaring Good Time
Featured image:
