Progress is moving forward on a biopic series about silent film legend Buster Keaton. There has been word of Keaton getting the biopic treatment for a little while, including report from last year that James Mangold (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) would be producing and directing the project for 20th Century Studios. Meanwhile, Deadline now reports that Keaton’s life story will be told with a scripted biographical series at Warner Bros. Television with Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody, Amsterdam) on board to play the legendary funnyman.

Matt Reeves (The Batman) is also reportedly on board to serve as director on the series. He’ll be producing under his 6th & Idaho Productions banner alongside Malek and David Weddle. Emmy-winning writer Ted Cohen (Friends, Succession) is also set to write the series and will serve as an executive producer with Daniel Pipski and Rafi Crohn of 6th & Idaho Productions.

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The biographical series will be particularly inspired by the book Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker’s Life by James Curtis; the studio is in negotiations to secure the rights. It’s also noted that the series doesn’t yet have a home secured and will soon be shopped to various streamers and networks. Given the names involved, it seems likely that there will be a lot of interest in the project.

Buster Keaton’s Story Will Be Told

     Buster Keaton Productions

Rising to fame with his work in classic silent films, Buster Keaton is well known for his unique physical comedy and deadpan expression. He got started as a vaudeville child star before getting into show business and finding success as an actor and filmmaker. Keaton starred in many classic films from the past that are highly-regarded, such as The Playhouse, The Electric House, The General, Sherlock Jr., and many more.

Malek knows a thing or two about finding success with biopics, as he has proven with the accolades of Bohemian Rhapsody. The Freddie Mercury biopic features Malek as the Queen singer, and the performance earned him a slew of awards, such as an Oscar, Golden Globe, and more. That film was also an immense financial success, ranking high as the highest-grossing musician biopic of all time. The role of Keaton should be in good hands with Malek taking on the part.

Without a streaming service or network yet set up for the Buster Keaton series, no release date has been announced at this time.