Wendell Pierce cast as B.B. King in upcoming film
Actor Wendell Pierce has been cast to play B.B. King in the upcoming film, The Thrill Is On. Pierce is best known for his roles in The Wire, Suits, and Jack Ryan.
“We are official. Preparation has begun on a film where I will be honored to play the great, BB King. Humbled,” Pierce wrote on his Twitter account. “It is a dramatized version of a real-life friendship story in the spirit of the film Round Midnight. The friendship of 2 musicians, one being the King of the Blues,” added Pierce. “I promised BB King before he died, I will honor him and his creative genius. An American Icon.”
We are official. Preparation has begun on a film where I will be honored to play the great, BB King. Humbled. pic.twitter.com/Y9JJvA3WW2
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) October 19, 2020
The Estate of BB King has requested I clarify the film THE THRILL IS ON is not a biopic in the traditional sense. It is a dramatized version of a real-life friendship story in the spirit of the film ROUND MIDNIGHT. The friendship of 2 musicians, one being the King of the Blues. pic.twitter.com/d5eMQz5m9c
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) October 22, 2020
B.B. King is known as one of the most influential blues guitarists of all-time. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 89.
The film is being produced by Michael Zanetis.
