Louis Armstrong Biopic In The Works Self-Fianced By Tracy Morgan
Actor and comedian Tracy Morgan has recently expressed interest in self-fiancing and starring in a Louis Armstrong biopic.
Tracy Morgan is playing Louis Armstrong in a self-financed biopic. https://t.co/KjUBDLY2U6 pic.twitter.com/CPkXfldM0z
— Ted Gioia (@tedgioia) March 9, 2021
Louis Armstrong, the New Orleans-born and raised jazz phenomenon, can be considered one of the most, if not the most influential, artists to jazz music. His classic and timeless hits like “What a Wonderful World,” “Dream a Little Dream,” and “You Won’t Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)” are just a few examples of his ample talent and artistry. Born in 1901, Armstrong was born into a tough life. His father was a factory worker who shortly abandoned his family after Louis’s birth. Meanwhile, his mother turned to prostitution frequently, leaving Louis with his grandmother. After completing the fifth grade, Armstrong was obligated to drop out to begin working, falling in love with music, and rocketing off into stardom.
Morgan has had previous experience playing Armstrong in an SNL skit titled A&E’s Profiles in Jazz. Intrest in starring in a biopic initially began in an interview with Howard Stern back in 2018, but the film was too premature to discuss at great lengths, but the interest has always been there. Morgan wanted to make it appear in the interview that his goal is to “channel” Armstrong rather than “mimic” him. In another 2016 interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Morgan stated that playing Armstrong is his “dream movie role” and would like to title the film Pops (one of Armstrong’s nicknames).
@TracyMorgan TRACY MORGAN PLAYS LOUIS ARMSTRONG!!! THE LIFE OF LOUIS ARMSTRONG. I WANNA SEE THIS DONE. OH YEAH, QUEEN LATIFA CAN PLAY PEARL BAILEY AS WELL. THANK YOU
— Daddyson04 (@daddyson04) February 8, 2021
Morgan’s resemblance to Armstrong is quite striking, and if done well, the film could be a very successful hit. Morgan’s Coming 2 America co-star Jermaine Fowler when asked in an interview with NME Magazine if he believes Morgan can pull off the role of Armstrong compared to his more “whacky” roles replied, “I do. I would love to see him do something dramatic. In fact, he showed us a clip of a movie he’s financing that’s really, really dope. He wants to play Louis Armstrong in a biopic, and I believe he can do it.” Fowlers confidence in Morgan, along with his talent, can only bring cinematic greatness.
Glitter Magazine Writer | Tweet me @gabbigabehart
