Walt Disney Studios has revealed that it’s working with singer/songwriter Lionel Richie on a jukebox musical of his discography, All Night Long. Richie and his manager Bruce Eskowitz are credited as producers on the project alongside Dana Brunetti and Matt Del Piano of Cavalry Media. Paul Chiarelli, the writer behind Crazy Rich Asians, is signed on to write the screenplay.
Rather than following in the footsteps of biographical musicals like Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, Jersey Boys, or the stage musical On Your Feet, All Night Long seems to be taking a more traditional jukebox musical approach. This means it will be shot in the vein of ABBA’s Mamma Mia, Across The Universe (a musical made up of Beatles songs), or Green Day’s American Idiot. Further detail about the film’s plot has not yet been released.
Potential songs that could be included in the film, beyond the titular “All Night Long”, are “Endless Love”, “Hello”, “Say You, Say Me”, “Lady”, and “You Are”. “All Night Long” was a Number 1 hit in 1983 for Richie, and one of the musician’s most famous songs.
Richie sold the pitch for All Night Long to Disney back in January 2020. The singer is represented by CAA and Red Light Management. Disney is currently hoping to give the film a theatrical release.
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