The Netflix comedy, ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ will star Eddie Murphy, Mike Epps, Wesley Snipes, Titus Burgess, Craig Robinson and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. The film is directed by Craig Brewer, executive produced by Michael Buegg, produced by John Davis, John Fox and Murphy and written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.
Murphy is set to play Rudy Ray Moore – the influential star of the blaxploitation ‘Dolemite’ films.
The film follows the life of comedian, musician, singer, actor and producer Rudy Ray Moore. In the late 1960’s, Moore adopted the persona of Dolemite (a pimp, hustler and urban hero) as his standup comedy alter ego. His Dolemite albums became inner city underground hits. Moore later financed the film, Dolemite (1975) where he portrayed the character on screen.
Dolemite was regarded as ‘the ultimate ghetto hero: a bad dude, profane, skilled at kung-fu, dressed to kill and hell-bent on protecting his community’. Following the hit, Moore starred in three sequels, ‘The Human Tornado’, ‘The Monkey Hustle’ and ‘Petey Wheatstraw: The Devil’s Son-In-Law’. Rudy Ray Moore was also coined as ‘The Godfather of Rap’, influencing artists like Big Daddy Kane, Snoop Dogg, 2 Live Crew and Busta Rhymes. The biopic reflects Moore’s backstory, rise to fame and his massive cultural influence.
This will be Murphy’s first production in 3 years since Mr. Church (2016). It has been reported that Murphy has eagerly awaited this role for over a decade.
Netflix has scheduled the film’s release for 2019.
