As Netflix Prince Series is Dead, “Sinners” Ryan Coogler Movie Plans on Late Iconic Musician
Can most noted “Black Panthers” filmmaker satisfy fans’ desire (and Paisley’s) to see their legendary artistic hero on the big screen?
As so many music lovers and cultural enthusiasts are disappointed on the failed Netflix series on the late legendary artist Prince, Ryan Coogler might be able to help fans get some relief with his upcoming movie film on the beloved Purple Majesty, if his development plans continue. Upon his phenomenal recent movie hit “Sinners,” Coogler has plans to take up where Netflix left off with an entirely new film about the late musical icon.
The producer of the defunct Prince Netflix series was Ezra Edelman, best known for creating the award-winning docuseries “O.J.: Made in America,” who had been given access to the late artist’s archives for his film project. Representatives at Paisley Park and Prince Estate said Edelman’s Prince documentary was cut because of several “dramatic” factual inaccuracies and “sensationalized” depictions of the multi-talented artist’s life.
Edelman’s nine-hour project also stood in violation of his agreement with Paisley Park and Netflix to do six hours. So the entire project that Edelman spent five years making was shelved, just like that. He was barred from releasing his series to the disappointment of many fans. Now the Prince estate will produce a new documentary about the music legend instead of backing Edelman’s nine-hour docuseries that had included Prince’s ex-girlfriend accusing him of abuse and also highlighted Prince’s own abusive childhood.
With the successful Black Panther movies under his belt, filmmaker Coogler is set to produce the jukebox musical on the life and music of Prince with Universal Pictures as distributor. In development since 2018, the film was written by Bryan Edward Hill (Titans TV series) and features popular songs inspired by Prince who died in 2016.
Coogler’s wife and creative partner, Zinzi Coogler is helping with the film project along with Universal Music Publishing Group. Working through his multi-media company, Proximity Media, Coogler is likely to include some of fans ‘ favorite songs from the legendary musician’s entire discography.
There is not much information available to the public yet about Coogler’s film project other than the intention to make it a jukebox musical biopic that incorporates some of Prince’s hits into an original storyline. The musical doesn’t yet have an official title, and the exact release date is still unknown. There is also no confirmation on the actors who will be featured in the feature film. 
In recent years, Prince has been a popular potential subject for many films and projects. As Prince and the Purple Rain cultural phenomenon continue to be the objects of fascination, there is an increasing list of shows, conferences and events dedicated to the legacy of the late iconic star. Prince-inspired productions include a Broadway Purple Rain stage adaptation that will fittingly be making its world premiere in Minneapolis early fall of this year. There is also a biopic in the works based on Prince’s first wife, Mayte Garcia’s memoir “The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince.” Stay tuned for more information on these and other Prince projects already in development.
For more information, visit ProjectPurpleCulture.com
Photo Coogler Image: Getty
