With a Basquiat film starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. already in the works, a limited series starring Stephan James is now on the way.
As reported by Variety, James is set to produce and star in a limited series about the life of Jean-Michel Basquiat. The co-production between Bay Mills Studios and Boat Rocker Studios is being developed by James and ad his brother, Shamier Anderson.
The series will be set in 1980’s New York City and will showcase the rise of Basquiat, from an obscure graffiti artist to a star neo-expressionist painter.
It will also explore Basquiat’s close friendship with Andy Warhol and his death from a heroin overdose in 1988.
James will star as Basquiat, but no other casting news has been released.
The Harrison-led project from Luce director Julius Onah will also be a look at the life of Jean Michel Basquiat and will be the first film biopic of the artist to be directed by a Black director.
The two projects are unrelated.
Stephen James commented on the late artist, saying, "Jean-Michel is an artist I have long revered, and someone who has greatly influenced my work over the years. To embody such a revolutionary, whose influence in the modern era of pop culture is simply immeasurable, will simply be one of the greatest honors of my career.”
Steve Lescroart, president of Boat Rocker Studios, added: “We’re grateful to be working with Shamier, Stephan, and the entire Bay Mills Studios team to tell the story of a visionary artist whose profound cultural influence only continues to grow with time. We know that audiences around the world will be captivated.”
More details will be made available as development starts.
