George Carlin Biopic Is in Works at The Jackal Group

A biopic on the life and career of stand-up legend George Carlin is in the works, as The Jackal Group announced on Monday that it has acquired the film rights from Carlin’s estate.

The film will be produced by The Jackal Group’s Chairman and CEO Gail Berman and President Joe Earley. Stan Chervin, who earned an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for “Moneyball,” is also attached as writer and producer. Other producers are former agent Bruce Kaufman under his new banner Wood Hollow Pictures, and Jerry Hamza, Carlin’s longtime manager and executor of his estate.

“We are honored to tell the story of one of the most important and influential comedians of all time, and to do so alongside those who knew him best,” said Berman and Earley in a statement. “In addition to shaping comedy and culture for decades, and entertaining generations of audiences, Carlin’s battle to protect free speech continues to impact our daily lives and is as relevant as ever.”

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Hamza added, “I’m very excited to be involved with a film based on George’s life. It was wasn’t until after George died, I realized he was a hero. As a performer, George would never ‘sell out,’ and never comprise his beliefs – I learned so much from him. I think the public will be very happy to learn about George’s life. He was truly the top of the ladder in his field.”

Carlin, who passed away in 2008, left behind a legacy as one of the most decorated and unrelenting comedians of all time. Known best for his “Hippy Dippy Weatherman” act on “The Tonight Show” and his “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” routine in his stand-up, Carlin also earned five Grammys from 11 nominations for the audio versions of his novels and his stand-up collections. In 2002, he received the Freedom of Speech Award from the First Amendment Center, and shortly after his death, he was posthumously awarded The Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

'Dazed and Confused' Stars: Where Are They Now? (Photos)

As cult classic turns 25, take a look at the film's many stars, then and now.
David Wooderson:
Matthew McConaughey is now one of the biggest stars in the world, and an Oscar winner for "Dallas Buyers Club," but might never escape his first notable role. The character only had four lines until Linklater cast McConaughey. He then gradually expanded the role into one of the leads, and the actor has since co-starred in Linklater's "Newton Boys" and "Bernie." The character that spawned "Alright, alright, alright" will never be forgotten.
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Mike Newhouse:
Adam Goldberg is now an in-demand character actor, perhaps best known for his roles in "Friends," "Saving Private Ryan" and "Fargo."
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Randall "Pink" Floyd:
Jason London was never able to replicate his "Dazed" success, instead he appeared in a handful of films ("Zombie Shark") and television episodes ("Major Crimes," "Dallas").
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Simone Kerr:
Joey Lauren Adams became the onscreen girlfriend every guy wanted during the '90s, starring in "Mallrats" and earning a Golden Globe nomination for "Chasing Amy" (which also starred fellow "Dazed" alum Ben Affleck). More recently, she had an arc on ABC Family's "Switched at Birth" and appears regularly in indie movies.
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Darla Marks:
Parker Posey quickly rose to "Queen of the Indies" status after "Dazed," and is now perhaps best known for co-starring in the Christopher Guest mockumentaries "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind." She's also become a regular in Woody Allen movies like "Irrational Man" and "Cafe Society."
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Mitch Kramer:
Wiley Wiggins quit acting to become a video game designer, but still pops up in the occasional low-budget passion project.
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Fred O'Bannion:
It's easy to forget that Ben Affleck's career started as the quasi-sadistic bully in "Dazed," but the young actor from Boston used the role to spring into Hollywood.
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Ron Slater: Rory Cochrane's career stalled after "Dazed" and the cult film "Empire Records," but he has started a new phase as a character actor in mid-2000s shows like "CSI: Miami" and "24" as well as movies like "Argo" (directed by and starring Affleck) and "Black Mass."
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Nesi White:
In a "blink and you'll miss it" appearance, Renee Zellweger is basically a background character in her first film appearance, but would star the next year in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre 4" opposite fellow "Dazed" alum Matthew McConaughey. She went on to hits like "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Chicago" -- and win an Oscar for "Cold Mountain."
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Tony:
Anthony Rapp went on to originate the role of Mark in the Tony Award-winning musical "Rent" and also appeared in "A Beautiful Mind," sharing many scenes with his "Dazed" co-star Goldberg. Recent screen credits include "The Knick" and a string of indies. He also accused actor Kevin Spacey of sexual misconduct.
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Michelle Burroughs:
Milla Jovovich would break out as a star just four years after "Dazed" with "The Fifth Element," and would later lead the "Resident Evil" action franchise. She also appeared in "Zoolander 2."
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Kevin Pickford:
Shawn Andrews recently starred in "Fix" with Olivia Wilde, but is probably best known for marrying the underage Jovovich after "Dazed," then annulling the marriage two months later.
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Cynthia Dunn:
Marissa Ribisi (the twin sister of Giovanni Ribisi) would go on to film appearances in "Pleasantville," "Friends" and "Felicity."
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