It’s Bon Jovi’s life, and it’s about to be on the big screen. Deadline reports that the rights to a “definitive” biopic of the famed New Jersey band have just been acquired by Universal Pictures. The package includes the participation of Jon Bon Jovi and the band’s music library, meaning the film will be able to use iconic hits like “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” and “Runaway” while telling the story of the band’s rise to fame.
Multiple studios apparently pursued the deal, though Universal has a track record with music-themed projects like 8 Mile and Straight Outta Compton. The script for the project will be written by Cody Brotter; no director or cast are currently attached.
In addition to Bon Jovi’s involvement, the project’s producers include Gotham Chopra, who produced and directed all four episodes of the recent Hulu documentary Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story. According to Deadline’s Mike Fleming Jr., “The film’s focus will be the formative years and the stepping stones to get to where the band’s rock anthems filled stadiums all over the world.”
