Emile Hirsch Set for John Belushi Biopic

Following last week's reports that Emile Hirsch was in the mix to portray John Belushi in an upcoming biopic about his life, Deadline has confirmed that the actor has officially signed on for film.

Others originally in the running included WORKAHOLICS' Adam Devine, VEEP's Nelson Franklin and THE MASTER star Joaquin Phoenix.

Steve Conrad ("The Secret Life of Walter Mitty") wrote the script and will take over the director's chair from 'The Hangover's Todd Phillips who recently exited the post.The project is currently in development at Warner Bros. Pictures.

Executive producer Dan Aykroyd, who starred with Belushi on SNL and in films such as "The Blues Brothers", is sitting in on the meetings to cast the role of the 33-year-old who died from a drug overdose at the Chateau Marmont in 1982. The biopic will focus on Belushi at the height of his fame.

Filming is scheduled to begin in New York in the Spring.

Photo by Sara De Boer/Retna Ltd.

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