Chuck Berry's life and legacy will be chronicled in a new documentary and dramatized biopic, according to Deadline.
Cardinal Releasing Ltd, which has produced in-depth films on music legends such as Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and Nat King Cole, has already gotten the ball rolling on the tentatively titled documentary Chuck!, as authorized by his widow Thelmetta Berry. Pre-production on the biopic will begin this summer, after the documentary has wrapped.
The legendary rock 'n' roll guitarist passed away on March 18, 2017 at 90 years old, leaving behind countless contributions to music. Widely considered one of the most influential guitarists of his generation, Berry was known for his signature guitar riffs and onstage duck walks. The musician went on to create a catalog that helped shape the genre, with songs like "Maybellene," "Roll Over Beethoven," and "Johnny B. Goode."
Berry's personal life was marked with run-ins with the law. In 1961, the musician was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old waitress, charged with violating the Mann Act, and spent time in jail. In 1979, he was indicted for tax evasion. He was eventually honored with a Grammys lifetime achievement award and became inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame.
Prior to his death, Berry had been featured in music docs, including Taylor Hackford’s 1986 Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll.
