A Sam Kinison biopic is on the way. Deadline reports that actor Josh Gad has been cast as Kinison in a movie to be directed by Larry Charles (Borat, Brüno). Rich Wilkes (xXX, Airheads) wrote the script, based on the book Brother Sam by the late comedian’s sibling, Bill Kinison. The movie will start in the 1980s, picking up with Kinison’s transition from pentecostal preacher to famous, filthy standup comedian. Producers are looking to cast actors and comedians in supporting and bit roles as public figures who played into Kinison’s life, such as Howard Stern, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Oral Roberts, and Richard Pryor. The movie was previously set up as an HBO film in 2010 with Dan Fogler (Balls of Fury) set to star as Kinison, but the lead role is now Josh Gad’s. Check out Fogler’s screen test for the part, which was posted online and went viral, below:
