“Saturday Night Live’s” Pete Davidson has been cast as Ramones singer Joey Ramone in the upcoming biopic based on the punk icon’s life. The film, which is being developed by Netflix in collaboration with STXfilms, will be based on and have the same title as Ramone’s brother Mickey Leigh’s 2009 book, “I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir.”
STXfilms chairman Adam Fogelson said: ‘I Slept With Joey Ramone’ is a great rock anthem that will make an equally great rock biopic, set apart by a universal story of family. Pete is perfect for this role, and we’re excited he and Jason will be bringing this icon of rock to life and thrilled to be collaborating once again with our friends at Netflix,” he said.
Ramone passed away in 2001 at age 49 following a battle with lymphoma. His music and legacy lives on through an annual birthday celebration thrown for him by Leigh, 66, who also maintains an archive of his possessions in his former East Village apartment. The estate of Joey Ramone will be supporting and cooperating with the film’s production.
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