Martin Scorsese is set to direct
Jonah Hill will portray Jerry Garcia in an upcoming untitled Grateful Dead biopic. Sources tell Deadline that Martin Scorsese is set to direct and produce the project. Hill, along with producing partner Matt Dines, will co-produce under their Strong Baby banner with Rick Yorn of LBI Entertainment also set to produce.
Apple has secured the rights to the film with the group’s blessing. The Dead’s Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann will executive produce the project along with Garcia’s daughter Trixie Garcia, Eric Eisner and Bernie Cahill. Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski are writing the script.
No further details involving production or plot points have been unveiled as of press time. Further information will be shared as it becomes available.
The Grateful Dead were one of the most important bands of the psychedelic era and among the most groundbreaking acts in rock and roll history. They slowly and steadily built a career that carried them from the ballrooms of San Francisco in the Sixties to arenas and stadiums all over the country in the decades that followed. The Dead became aware of the infinite possibilities for expression when imagination was given free reign. Their dedicated followers are known as Deadheads.
Garcia died in 1995 with his surviving bandmates continuing different iterations of the band. Hart, Weir and Kreutzmann currently perform as Dead & Co with John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti. Since its formation in 2015, the band has completed six tours, playing to 3.4 million fans, and has become a record-breaking stadium act. Having toured consistently, the band has grossed $255.5 million and sold 2.8 million tickets across 149 reported shows. Dead & Co. has headlined iconic stadiums across the country including Folsom Field, Autzen Stadium, Citi Field, Fenway Park and Dodger Stadium. Additionally, the band broke Wrigley Field’s all-time concert attendance record.
In between tours, Dead & Company hosts its annual “Playing in the Sand” all-inclusive Caribbean concert vacation in Mexico and features three nights of Dead & Company playing on an intimate beach. Due to overwhelming fan demand, a second weekend was added to 2022’s Playing in the Sand. Both weekends have sold out.
