Academy-Award nominated actor, Don Cheadle, is looking to crowdfund his Miles Davis film, “Miles Ahead.” The “House of Lies” star has launched a campaign on Indiegogo seeking additional production funds for the film, which is his feature directorial debut.
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The movie focuses in on a few key days in the life of Miles Davis; the time when he conspired with a Rolling Stone writer to steal back his music. Cheadle will take on the lead role of Davis, with Ewan McGregor cast to co-star alongside him.
“We are eager to get the word out about our film and to build a community of people who are just as excited as we are about a Miles Davis movie,” Cheadle said in a statement. “While Miles used his horn to communicate and create ‘social music’ we are using social media and today’s online platforms to reach out to the music community, the film community and all people who are excited to see an explosive, cool music-filled movie.”
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Cheadle is seeking $325,000 by July 6 to support principal photography for the film when it goes into production later this summer. Prizes put up for the Indiegogo campaign include limited edition Miles Davis artwork, a coffee table book of his artwork signed by Cheadle, set visits and even opportunities to appear in the film or golf with Cheadle for some of the biggest donations.
“Most studios don’t make these kinds of movies anymore, so we are doing it independently,” Cheadle continued in his statement. “I’m personally putting a big chunk of money into our budget as well as putting all my fees back in. But the extra money we hope to raise on Indiegogo will help us recreate the multiple time periods we’re dealing with and with the logistics of incorporating all the music. We are excited to get people talking about the movie early, raise awareness, and set into motion the groundswell of support we hope will continue through to the film’s release.”
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Miles Davis’ nephew Vince Wilburn spoke on behalf of the family, adding, “Don’s vision and his unwavering passion will undoubtedly serve this project to the highest standard and we are beyond thrilled to have him on board.”
Cheadle is producing “Miles Away” through his own Crescendo Productions, along with Daniel Wagner, Robert Ogden Barnum, Darryl Porter, Lenore Zerman, Pam Hirsch, and Wilburn on behalf of the Davis estate.