Tune your accordion, slip into some scrubs, and get ready to feel like a surgeon because Roku’s “Weird Al” biopic is adding some major talent to its cast. The Roku Channel announced that Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe-nominated actress Evan Rachel Wood, Emmy-winning actress Julianne Nicholson, Emmy and SAG-nominated actor Rainn Wilson, and multi-talented actor Toby Huss will join the cast of WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story.
Produced by Funny or Die and Tango, WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story is set to explore the prolific career of Grammy-winning musician and pop culture icon “Weird Al” Yankovic.
Per the project’s official description, WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story “holds nothing back, exploring every facet of Yankovic’s life, from his meteoric rise to fame with early hits like ‘Eat It’ and ‘Like a Surgeon’ to his torrid celebrity love affairs and famously depraved lifestyle. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story takes audiences on a truly unbelievable journey through Yankovic’s life and career, from gifted child prodigy to the greatest musical legend of all time.”
Yankovic and Eric Appel penned the screenplay for the film, which stars Daniel Radcliffe as “Weird Al” Yankovic. Filming began in early February, at which point Yankovic had this to say about the upcoming project:
“When my last movie UHF came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork. I’m very happy to say we’re on schedule and I am absolutely thrilled that Daniel Radcliffe will be portraying me in the film. I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for.”
Wood will play Madonna in the “Weird Al” biopic. Yankovic parodied Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” in 1985, creating “Like a Surgeon” with Maddona’s approval. Additionally, Rainn Wilson will play the legendary radio host Dr. Demento, while Toby Huss and Julianne Nicholson will play Yankovic’s parents Nick and Mary.
As a life-long fan of Mr. Yankovic, I am over the moon about this setup for the “Weird Al” Yankovic biopic. A look back on Yankovic’s career is long overdue, and the idea of Yankovic being on the ground floor of the project is exciting. I’m one of the few people who saw UHF in theaters back in the day, and I can’t wait to see one of my childhood heroes get the film treatment he deserves.
How do you feel about Evan Rachel Wood and Rainn Wilson joining the cast of the Weird Al biopic?