The first footage of OutKast‘s André 3000 as Jimi Hendrix, taken from the upcoming biopic has emerged, just ahead of the film’s U.S. premiere at South By Southwest.
To prepare for the role of Hendrix, Andre “listened to hours of interviews [and] watched his mannerisms,” and in the scene that began making the rounds Wednesday (March 5), that preparation is readily apparent.
Three Stacks nails the legendary guitarist’s speaking voice, as he begs model/muse Linda Keith (played by Imogen Poots) to join him at the Monterey Pop Festival, where he’d gain instant notoriety with U.S. audiences after setting his guitar ablaze.
That famous concert isn’t shown in the film; instead, it focuses on the year that preceded it, following Hendrix’s journey from New York City backing musician to celebrated London resident. “All Is By My Side” doesn’t feature any actual Hendrix songs — his estate refused to grant producers the rights to his material — but rather will feature him performing covers of songs by the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Muddy Waters and Elmore James, all of which were in his repertoire.
The movie, written and directed by Academy Award winner John Ridley — who just took home the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for his “12 Years A Slave” script — made its world premiere last year at the Toronto International Film Festival. There’s still no word on when it will be released in theaters here in the U.S.
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