A John Belushi documentary in the works at Showtime. The network announced today that it’s teamed up with R.J. Cutler and John Battsek (Listen to Me Marlon) to produce a feature-length documentary about the life of Belushi with approval from his widow Judith Belushi Pisano. The documentary will begin production this fall. “Belushi was one of my very first heroes. At a time when film, television, and music were undergoing tectonic shifts within American culture, he was at the center of it all,†said Cutler, who will direct the documentary. “At that moment, he had the number one show on television, the number one film at the box office, and the number one record on the charts. We plan to explore his unique genius and how his creative influence is still making an impact to this moment.â€
Added Battsek: “This is a film I have wanted to make for many years as John was a great hero of mine. Having Judy’s cooperation for the first time on a feature documentary of his life is very special and means we know we will be making a truly authentic film. We plan to assemble a deep and three-dimensional look into the life of a man of great complexity and talent who went on to become an American comedic icon.â€