A biopic about the late comedian Bernie Mac is in the works at Get Lifted, John Legend’s production company, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Legend’s producing partner Mike Jackson revealed this during a panel discussion at the 2021 Tribeca Festival, stating: “We just partnered with Bernie Mac’s estate to cover Bernie Mac’s story. Something that John doesn’t know about yet.” John Legend actually appeared in one of Mac’s final films, Soul Men (2008). Legend portrayed Marcus Hooks, the band member Louis Hinds (Samuel L. Jackson) and Floyd Henderson (Mac) honored in a reunion concert after he died.

After Legend and Jackson announced the biopic, they also went on to reflect and discuss memories about Mac, as well as his legacy. Legend discussed The Bernie Mac Show, which ran from 2001-2006, saying: “It was beautifully done…. His humor was always edgy but it always had so much heart to it at the same time. You could tell he was a family man. You could tell that he loved the people he was talking about”.

Bernie Mac sadly passed away in 2008 after suffering a heart attack and complications from pneumonia. He was memorialized at the House of Hope Church the following week by comedians and actors Chris Rock, Don Cheadle, D. L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey and more.