Carl Franklin to Direct Sam Cooke Biopic

Filmmaker signs on for long-in-development biopic.

It’s has been revealed, via Shadow & Act, that Carl Franklin (‘House Of Cards,’ ‘Out of Time,’ ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’) is attached to direct a biopic of soul music legend Sam Cooke.

Long-in-development, the project is based on Peter Guralnick’s book ‘Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke’ and features a screenplay by veteran scribes Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (‘Killing Bono,’ ‘Across the Universe,’ ‘The Commitments’).

The film will cover the singer/songwriter’s entire life, from childhood through his years as a Gospel singer, a pop star, civil rights activist and eventually a label owner and music publisher. His life was cut short at the age of 33 when he was shot to death during a visit to Los Angeles.

Casting is now underway for an actor to play Cooke, who is best known for tracks like ‘A Change Is Gonna Come,’ ‘Chain Gang,’ ‘Twistin’ the Night Away,’ and ‘You Send Me.’

The currently untitled biopic will be independently produced by ABKCO Music & Records, which owns the rights to the majority of Cooke’s music.