Music
17 Jun 20

Biopic on Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister will spotlight his colourful life

Lemmy died at age 70 from prostate cancer, cardiac arrthymia and heart failure.

A feature-length biopic on the late Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister is in the works, with plans to start filming in early 2021 according to Deadline.

Directed by Greg Olliver, who curated the 2010 Lemmy documentary, the film is also being executive produced by Motörhead’s manager Todd Singerman and creative consultant Steffan Chirazi.

The biopic will depict Lemmy's life from his adolescence and early life as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix to his band Hawkwind and later career as the Motörhead legend.

“Everything you’ve heard about Lemmy is probably true… not because he was embracing rock n’ roll clichés, but because he was creating them,” Olliver commented.

“Marlboro Reds and Jack Daniel’s for breakfast, speed for dinner – all true. But behind that steely-eyed façade of rock n’ roll was also a compelling, complicated and lion-hearted man who stayed the course and never gave up playing the music that made him happy.”

Olliver co-wrote the screenplay with Medeni Griffith, and has been protective of how Lemmy's legacy is portrayed for years.

“We’ve been carefully developing this biopic since 2013, making sure to stay true to Lemmy, Motörhead band members Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee, and all the other folks that played important roles in Lemmy’s life. This will be a film they’ll be proud of.”

“It is a story of immense cultural importance," added Todd Singerman and Steffan Chirazi.

"If the last five years of his absence has taught us anything, it is that he was more unique than anyone could ever have known because no one touches the quality and sheer freedom of the man.”

There has been no updates on casting thus far, and filming in 2021 will depend on the state of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lemmy died at age 70 from prostate cancer, cardiac arrthymia and heart failure on December 28, 2015

He remained committed to Motörhead up until his death, playing the band’s now-final show just three weeks prior to his passing.

Motörhead’s classic album, Ace of Spades, celebrated its 40th anniversary last month - with the iconic title track celebrated on May 8.