Jimi Hendrix Biopic Plagued by Non-Rock Issues

While it might not be the kind of headline you expect from anything involving the rock god who burned his guitars and asphyxiated on overdoses of wine, a potential Jimi Hendrix film biography has been plagued by interruption from the man’s estate since its inception.

Planned to star rapper André 3000 as the man himself, the film would focus on Hendrix’s time in the UK in 1967, presumably as The Jimi Hendrix Experience debuted with their genre-defining psychedelic albums Are You Experienced and Axis: Bold as Love.

With positive reaction to films such as Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line in 2005, it is difficult to see why the estate would decline the use of Jimi’s image or music in a film that would bring the influence of the legend to a new generation. But a statement from the Experience Hendrix board, including CEO Janie Hendrix, has cast a veil of doubt over their participation:

“The EH board have not ruled out a ‘biopic’ in the future. Though producing partners would, out of necessity, have to involve the company from the inception of any such film project if it is to include original Jimi Hendrix music or compositions.”

While granting rights seems like a relatively simple fix, such issues are rarely so in a world filled with distinctly non-rock n’ roll rules and regulations. Director John Ridley is, however, keen to go ahead and start filming in Ireland this year

Let’s just hope a film about Hendrix’s music doesn’t go ahead without Hendrix’s music or, worse yet, a ‘modern’ soundtrack.