Gene Wilder is one of my all-time favorite actors and there is a documentary biopic that will cover the life and career of the iconic actor. The doc is titled Remembering Gene Wilder and it has been acquired by distributor Kino Lorber.
Directed by Ron Frank and written by Glenn Kirschbaum, Remembering Gene Wilder will feature highlights from Wilder’s most memorable films as well as interviews with his closest friends, family, and fellow comics. Some of the projects that Wilder starred in over the course of his career include The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, Silver Streak, Hear No Evil, See No Evil, and, of course, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
The movie is said to touch on the “actor’s Jewish upbringing in Milwaukee, marriage to Gilda Radner, and his final chapter living with Alzheimer’s. It will include never-seen-before home movie footage, narration by Wilder from the audiobook of his memoir, and interviews with collaborators including Mel Brooks, Alan Alda, Carol Kane, and his widow Karen Boyer Wilder.”
Wendy Lidell, SVP of Theatrical Distribution and Acquisitions for Kino Lorber said in a statement: “It’s hard to not have a smile on your face when Gene Wilder is on screen – whether you’re watching him as Willy Wonka, Leo Bloom, Dr. Frankenstein, or any of his wildly creative, instantly memorable characters, Wilder’s humor, warmth, and effortless charisma is universally appealing.”
She continued: “In this loving, career-spanning documentary, Ron Frank has captured both the public Gene Wilder that we all know and love as well as the more private Gene, a funny, kind, and gentle man beloved by his family, friends, and confidants. We’re thrilled to share this film with audiences worldwide, so they can join us in spending 92 delicious minutes with the magical man behind the characters we love.”
The director added: “I first met Gene Wilder the way so many did: as a kid in the cinema, laughing so hard at Blazing Saddles that I nearly fell off my seat. It’s been a privilege to laugh, cry, and reminisce about Gene as we worked on this documentary, and it couldn’t have been done without the support of his wife Karen, his family, and so many of his closest friends. We’re delighted to partner with Kino Lorber to bring this film to audiences everywhere and celebrate Gene’s legacy.”
The film will next play as the Closing Night movie of the New York Jewish Film Festival on January 24. Kino Lorber is planning a theatrical release in March 2024, followed by a home video, non-theatrical, and digital release.
The film is executive-produced by husband and wife producing team David Knight and Julie Nimoy of Health Point Productions; Julie’s father, Leonard Nimoy, was Wilder’s longtime friend and onetime director.
Source: Deadline
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