Jamie Foxx to Produce Doc About ‘One of Our GOATs’ Luther Vandross
Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx is gearing up to tell the story of the life and remarkable career of the late musical icon Luther Vandross. Foxx will be producing the biographical film alongside British star Colin Firth. “John Lewis: Good Trouble” filmmaker Dawn Porter, will be directing.
The documentary will mark the first time Vandross’ story is told. The artist, who died in 2005, saw eleven consecutive platinum albums and eight Grammy wins during his career.
“Luther is one of our GOATs,” Foxx said of the entertainer in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “He’s one of the greatest singers in the history of music. It is truly an honor to be a part of the team to help bring this incredible story to the masses.”
According to its description, the film “will follow the iconic artist as he charted his own course becoming one of the most decorated and influential pop artists of all time” and “capture the intensely private Grammy-winning artist’s passion for music, global rise, and personal struggles.”
Viewers can expect to get a look at the “Wait for Love” singer’s “never-before-seen personal archive” with backing from the songwriter’s closest friends and family. It’s noted that execs partnered with Trilogy Films, the Estate of Luther Vandross, and estate partner Primary Wave Music to create the documentary.
Production on the untitled film has already begun, however, a release date has not been made public yet. The news comes months after director Patrik-Ian Polk announced a biopic based on Vandross’ only biographical book, Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross, written by veteran music journalist Craig Seymour was also in the works.
Vandross initially began his journey as an entertainer singing backup for artists including Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, and many more. His debut album was met with acclaim, going platinum following its release in 1981. The singer suffered from diabetes and hypertension. He died on July 1, 2005, after suffering a heart attack. He was 54.
