Pete Davidson has been tapped to play The Ramones frontman, Joey Ramone, in the forthcoming Netflix biopic, I Slept With Joey Ramone.
The announcement arrives on the 20th anniversary of the punk legend’s passing. Pete Davidson will star and executive produce the film, based on the memoir of the same name by Ramone’s brother, Mickey Leigh, who will also act as executive producer.
I Slept With Joey Romane is directed by Davidson collaborator Jason Orley. The pair previously worked together on the charming drug-dealing comedy, Big Time Adolescence
Netflix is producing the romp in partnership with STXFilms. “When you share a bed with someone — and not just a bed, but a childhood, a family, and a lifetime — you know that person better than anybody else,” STXFilms, chairman Adam Fogelson shared in a statement.
“Mickey Leigh not only collaborated with his big brother’s band — he has irreplaceable memories of and insights into Joey Ramone, having supported him when no one else would and witnessed him overcome adversity in the most dramatic way.”
Fogelson added, “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.”
Leigh’s I Slept With Joey Ramone — written with Legs McNeil — was released back in 2010, a decade after the frontman’s death in 2001 from lymphoma in cancer at the age of 49. The other three founding members of the band, Johnny (John Cummings), Dee Dee (Douglas Colvin) and Tommy Ramone (Tom Erdelyi) also have passed away.
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You can pick up I Slept With Joey Ramone here. There is no word yet as to when we can expect the film to drop.
