Grab yourself a Twinkie Weiner Sandwich and your loudest shirt because a new poster and release date for Roku’sRoku’s Weird: The Al Yankovic Story are here! The film, starring Daniel Radcliffe as “Weird” Al Yankovic, premieres exclusively on Roku on November 4, 2022.
The new poster for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story depicts Radcliffe as the legendary Master of Parody wearing a red shirt and pants. With a shock of curly hair atop his head, Yankovic looks to the Hollywood Hills while holding his trusty accordion. Eric Appel directed the movie and co-wrote the screenplay with “Weird” Al Yankovic. Funny or Die and Tango produce.
Here’s the official synopsis for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story:
Daniel Radcliffe is “Weird” Al Yankovic in the unexaggerated true story about the most incredible musician of our time. From a conventional upbringing where playing the accordion was a sin, Al rebelled and made his dream of changing the words to world-renowned songs come true. An instant success and sex symbol, Al lives an excessive lifestyle and pursues an infamous romance that nearly destroys him. With Evan Rachel Wood, Rainn Wilson, and an A-list cast of thousands, their agents won’t let us reveal.
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story also stars Rainn Wilson as Dr. Demento, Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna, Quinta Brunson as Oprah Winfrey, Spencer Treat Clark as Steve Jay, Julianne Nicholson as Mary Yankovic, Toby Huss as Nick Yankovic, Lechristopher Williams as Coolio, and James Preston Rogers as Hulk Hogan.
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.”
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’sYankovic’s career is long overdue, and the idea of Yankovic being on the project’s ground floor 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.