Amazon MGM Studios’ untitled George Clinton biopic is set to bring Eddie Murphy back together with Oscar-winning director Bill Condon. This reunion marks their first collaboration since Dreamgirls, for which Murphy received an Oscar nomination. Murphy will portray the legendary Parliament-Funkadelic leader George Clinton, known for his pioneering influence in funk music and outlandish sci-fi-themed performances.
The biopic’s screenplay is being penned by Virgil Williams, adapting an original draft by Max Werner. Catherine Davis, a lifelong George Clinton fan, initiated the project by bringing the concept to Murphy. The production team includes Murphy under his Eddie Murphy Productions banner, John Davis of Davis Entertainment, Catherine Davis, and Greg Yolen, with Charisse Hewitt-Webster, George Clinton, Archie Ivy, and Jeff Jampol serving as executive producers.
Based on Clinton’s memoir, Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard on You?, the film explores Clinton’s remarkable yet challenging journey founding the groundbreaking collective Parliament-Funkadelic. Known for its surreal sounds, wild visuals, and boundary-pushing style, Parliament-Funkadelic left an indelible mark on music and culture.
George Clinton is a legendary musician, producer, and innovator in the world of funk, often referred to as one of the godfathers of the genre. Emerging in the 1960s and ‘70s, Clinton revolutionized music by blending funk with rock, R&B, and psychedelic elements, creating a sound that was as complex as it was captivating. Known for his unconventional style, Clinton’s vibrant persona and boundary-breaking performances defied the norms of the music industry, pushing the limits of genre and inspiring generations of musicians across a variety of styles.
In the early ‘70s, Clinton founded Parliament-Funkadelic, a collective of musicians known for their wild costumes, sci-fi themes, and psychedelic stage shows. Parliament and Funkadelic, originally two separate bands, became Clinton’s dual musical projects, each delivering its own flavor of funk: Parliament brought a polished, horn-heavy sound, while Funkadelic offered a raw, rock-infused experience. Together, they created iconic albums such as Mothership Connection, Maggot Brain, and One Nation Under a Groove, which continue to influence music and culture today.
Known for its theatrical shows featuring everything from spaceship stages to elaborate costumes, Parliament-Funkadelic helped define funk as an immersive experience. With hits like “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)” and “Flash Light,” the group’s influence extended beyond music to film, fashion, and visual art, shaping the aesthetics of funk culture. Clinton’s creativity and the collective’s genre-defying style became cornerstones of funk, paving the way for future generations of musicians and securing their place as legends in the music world.