Content Warning: This article contains discussions and references to murder, suicide, sexual assault, and cults.
The biographical picture of Elvis Presley’s rise to fame, titled Elvis, comes to the big screen on the 24th of June, 2022. It was originally screened at the Cannes Film Festival, receiving a lot of praise for its portrayal of the iconic musician. Austen Butler plays the titular role, starring alongside Tom Hanks as Tom Parker and Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla Presley.
Biographical films have taken the movie industry by storm, with several, such as the recent King Richard, receiving critical acclaim. Fortunately, fans of the genre still have several promising biopics to look forward to in the back half of 2022.
Fever – No Release Date
Following the life of jazz singer and actress Peggy Lee, Fever has yet to have a release date announced, but Deadline reports that Michelle Williams, star of The Greatest Showman, is set to play the actress. Other than some basic information about the potential talent involved, not much else is yet known about this project.
Norma Deloris Egstrom, known professionally as Peggy Lee, was an American jazz singer, songwriter, composer, and actress. Originally starting as a milkmaid and radio singer, she later joined Benny Goodman to sing with his band, which shot her into stardom, recording tracks such as “Fever” and “Big Spender”.
Going Electric – No Release Date
An upcoming biopic will see Timothée Chalamet playing 1960s American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The project doesn’t yet have an officially announced name, but Deadline reports that it’s being tentatively referred to as Going Electric.
Bob Dylan, over the years, has released many influential songs with political, social, philosophical, and literary influences. He has been known to defy pop culture expectations and expand creative boundaries in modern music. Dylan was prominent in the 1960s civil rights movement, protesting with his music and using his public status to gain support.
Oppenheimer – July 21, 2023
Directed and written by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer is set to release on the 21st of July 2023, following the scientific and personal life of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer is set to have a star-studded cast including Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer, alongside Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt.
J. Robert Oppenheimer was a theoretical scientist, and professor at the University of California, responsible for designing the atomic bomb. These bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan; ending the American involvement in World War II. The design of the bomb, he was said to have been proud of having served his country but regretting the destruction his work may bring someday.
Jim Jones – June 9, 2023
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio is set to play the cult leader, political activist, and preacher Jim Jones in the movie of the same name set for release on June 9th, 2023
Jim Jones was originally ordained as a Christian minister, beginning the people’s temple. After gaining a larger following, he moved the group to Jonestown, Guyana. Jim Jones was known mostly for the November 1978 Jonestown mass murder-suicide which took 918 lives, 304 of them children, by having his followers drink flavored cyanide.
Blonde – September 23, 2022
Ana de Armas, star of Knives Out, is set to play the blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe in her upcoming biopic, Blonde, based on the Joyce Carol Oats book of the same name. The film is set to follow her rise to fame and accidental death, though, per the source material, it’s much more of an artistic exploration of celebrity than an overly realistic depiction of the star’s life.
Marilyn Monore was a model and actress from the 1950s and early 1960s, starring in movies like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like It Hot. This pseudo-biopic will hit Netflix on September 23, 2022.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody – December 23, 2022
I Wanna Dance with Somebody is an upcoming musical biopic based on the life of American singer and actress Whitney Houston. Naomi Ackie takes on the role of Huston, alongside Stanley Tucci as Clive Davis and Ashton Sanders as Bobby Brown. The film is set to release on the 23rd of December, 2022.
Whitney Huston is known for her hit songs “I Will Always Love You,” from The Bodyguard and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” from which the film takes its name. While her singing and acting career will be at the forefront of this musical biopic, it’s also sure to feature the celebrity’s personal struggles.
She Said – November 18, 2022
Following the lives of two New York Times reporters, She Said is the biographical film of those who brought the case of Harvey Weinstein to the forefront of the news. Starring Zoe Kazan and Carey Mulligan, the film is set to release on the 18th of November, 2022.
These reporters, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, had fought to investigate the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault case of October 2017, which sparked the widespread #MeToo movement, brought it into the news, and stopped decades of silence around sexual assault that have permeated the industry since the days of old Hollywood.
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story – Fall 2022
Daniel Radcliff is set to star in the upcoming biopic of ‘Weird’ Al Yankovic, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, coming out in Fall 2022. Not much is yet known about what the biopic will entail.
Al Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter and actor who gained popularity for his satire and comedic songs that make light of pop culture and parody songs. Surprisingly for a parody artist, his work has earned him five Grammy Awards and a further 11 nominations. Yankovic has also hosted his own TV shows on MTV throughout the years.
Till – October 2022
Coming in October, Danielle Deadwyler, from The Harder They Fall, is set to star as Mamie Till-Mobley in the upcoming biographical movie, Till. The film will follow the story of Emmett Louis Till and the legacy of his mother who pursued justice for her murdered son.
Mamie Till-Mobley was an American activist who had lost her son after an accusation that he had whistled at a store worker. She had petitioned the White House for justice but was denied. This sparked protests across Mississippi where Till was invited to speak to overflowing crowds across the country, sparking the civil rights movement alongside Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King JR.
Elvis – June 24th, 2022
Elvis, releasing on the 24th of June 2022, follows the titular musician’s rise to fame in the 1950s and his relationship with both his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, and wife, Pricilla Presley. The film stars Austin Butler as Elvis alongside Tom Hanks as his manager.
Elvis Presley, nicknamed the King of Rock and Roll, was an American singer who was very prominent in the 1950s and remained so until his untimely death in 1977. He was considered a sex symbol and had many adoring fans. From 1956 through 1958 he dominated the best-seller charts and brought in the age of rock and roll, opening doors for the many artists that came after.
