The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key will be joining Netflix’s biopic Dolemite Is My Name! Key will star alongside Eddie Murphy (Beverly Hills Cop), Wesley Snipes (Blade), Mike Epps (Fifty Shades of Black), Craig Robinson (Ghosted), Titus Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Office Christmas Party), and T.I.
The film is based on the life of Rudy Ray Moore, the comedian well-known for his raunchy, X-rated stand up that he also infused with rapping and rhythm, earning him the nickname Godfather of Rap. Moore also became popular for his creation of the character Dolemite in his stand-up routines that, after five years of performing as the urban hero, he decided to bring him to the big screen with the 1975 movie of the same name.
Key is set to play Jerry Jones, a playwright who is convinced by Moore to write the screenplay for Dolemite.
Dolemite was such a hit it spawned two sequels, as well as one unofficial sequel and an appearance in short film Murder Was the Case starring Snoop Dogg, and is credited as one of the most influential characters in the blaxploitation genre.
The upcoming biopic, directed by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow) and written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (Ed Wood, The People vs O.J. Simpson), will see Murphy portray Moore. Principal photography for the film began earlier this month and the film is set to premiere sometime in 2019.
Key is best known for his work on Comedy Central’s Key and Peele alongside Jordan Peele, with recent roles in upcoming projects such as The Predator reboot, season two of Netflix’s Friends From College, and a voice part in Disney’s remake of The Lion King.
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