Dennis Quaid Finally Bringing Charley Pride Biopic to Life
The long-rumored Charley Pride biopic movie is finally on the way. First formally announced in 2006 with actor Terrance Howard cast as the Country Music Hall of Famer, then announced later in 2011 with “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson to portray Pride, script issues, production issues, and other problems resulted in endless delays for the film. But according to actor and producer Dennis Quaid, it is definitely moving forward now, with filming set to start in the fall of 2021.
One of Dennis Quaid’s many side hustles is as a musician and songwriter, including with his band Dennis Quaid and the Sharks. On December 12th—which was also the day Charley Pride passed away at the age of 86 due to COVID-19 complications—Dennis Quaid was set to make his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. The Opry evening became an impromptu Charley Pride memorial as they always do when a country music great passes, and Dennis Quaid gave an update on the film.
“I’m so glad to hear everybody talking about Charley Pride tonight,” Quaid said, dedicating his song “On My Way to Heaven” to the late singer. “I actually made a friend of Charley Pride back last January, and we agreed and, we’re doing the movie of Charley Pride that I’m gonna help produce. We start filming in the fall, have the script written, so his story will not go unsung for generations to come, that’s for sure.”
One of the rumors of why the biopic film has been such a long time coming is due to disagreements between producers and the Pride family over scripts and approach to the film. Though it’s sad that Pride won’t be around to see the finished product, it is heartening and assuring that when it is released, it will be with Charley Pride’s approval.
Dennis Quaid has been involved in the development of the film for years, but it was bringing in script writer Dianne Houston who worked directly with Charley and his wife of 64 years, Rozene, that apparently broke the impasse, and is allowing the film to finally move forward. As a direct witness to much of Pride’s struggles and successes, Rozene’s point-of-view is said to be a strong component to the script.
The fim is presently titled Charley Pride Story. No word at the moment of who may play Charley Pride in the film.
December 22, 2020 @ 12:36 pm
Dwayne Johnson? Really? What a horrible casting choice. I’m sorry, but this would be an insult to Charley Pride.
December 22, 2020 @ 1:52 pm
Maybe that’s why that particular incarnation of the biopic didn’t move forward.
I thought the pick of The Rock was a little weird when it was announced in 2011 too. But I will say, apparently Dwayne Johnson is a big traditional country fan and Charley Pride fan, and has shouted out Cody Jinks numerous times, and retweeted stuff from Saving Country Music before. Not sure how he would fit the body profile or pull off the singing, but he does have the passion for the material.
December 22, 2020 @ 7:24 pm
2011 the Rock was a lot smaller then he is now because he was trying to break into Hollywood and lost a lot of weight. Look at him in the game plan. As far as singing goes he sang in Moana and learned to play guitar later in life because he wanted to play “Crazy”
It’s wasnt as crazy as it sounds at the time. At least it would of been someone who respected the genre.
December 22, 2020 @ 11:16 pm
Dwayne is too light skinned to be playing Charley Pride, who was darker skinned; there are others who can play Pride, like (if he was still alive) Chadwick Boeseman or Terrance Howard (if he was still acting) or somebody young and unknown. I like Johnston, and it’s great that he respects the genre, but I don’t think that casting will work.
December 22, 2020 @ 3:00 pm
I agree!A big insult!!!
December 23, 2020 @ 8:55 am
Terence is a great choice.
He sings exceptionally well
and plays the guitar. Another choice would be Jaime Fox. Both Jamie and Terrence are high on my list; they can act too!
December 23, 2020 @ 10:50 am
Terence Howard has retired, Jamie Fox looks nothing like Charley Pride (but is close enough to Ray Charles, which is why he was chosen for [or got interested in] the role.) A younger, unknown actor who looks like Pride and can sing might be who they have to cast as Pride.
December 24, 2020 @ 3:58 am
I agree love the Rock but does not fit Charlie Pride Lots of actors who could fit role Tyler Perry maybe able to help with that
December 22, 2020 @ 1:14 pm
There’s a good movie about Charley Pride to be made…but not with Dwayne Johnson as Pride. Cast a raw, 20-something actor who can credibly portray the Charley Pride that we don’t know–the black kid trying to make it and moving from baseball to–improbably–country music in the 1960s South. The Charley Pride we know, the hitmaking, award-winning country music star, is for the last reel.
December 22, 2020 @ 1:48 pm
Chadwick Boseman may have been a viable choice had he not died so young. Dwayne Johnson? No…
December 22, 2020 @ 2:21 pm
Chadwick Boseman would’ve been a great choice. Ironically he is no longer with us.
December 22, 2020 @ 3:43 pm
The Rock as Charley Pride. Faron Young confronts Pride and goes sailing across the bar as Rock/ Pride, hurls him with one arm through a wall. Can ya smell what The Charley’s cookin’? Take that you loser! Now, where’s that microphone, I got songs to sing!
December 22, 2020 @ 11:29 pm
Was Faron Young really that racist towards Charley Pride? Or is this just something you made up?
December 23, 2020 @ 1:59 am
Faron and Charley were actually good friends.
December 23, 2020 @ 7:23 am
Lefty
Short answer, Faron was pretty racist. Charley went to meet him as he was advised that he needed to get on Farons good side if he wanted a career. It was tense, to say the least, but Charley won him over and they became lifelong friends. ( see Ken Burns documentary)
Humor folks. Remember that? I’m having fun with the idea of The Rock as Charley Pride. I mean cmon, its The Rock. Gotta be an action flick!
December 23, 2020 @ 8:18 am
I got it, Kevin. Me, I went have went with “jabroni” instead of loser. And maybe right before opening a can of whoop ass, have a close-up on Charley where he scowls, raising one eyebrow. 🙂
December 25, 2020 @ 6:35 pm
Not really the 1960’s South as much as the west. Pride played a lot of his baseball and his early country music shows in Montana. My grandfather worked with him in the smelter in Great Falls, and he played baseball for the minor league teams in Helena and Missoula.
December 22, 2020 @ 1:49 pm
Why can’t Dennis Quaid play Charlie??? JK, calm down everyone. Dwayne wouldn’t come to my mind naturally, but who knows, he could stretch his wings a little and surprise us all. There’s been many cases of actors performing well outside their usual typecast roles. Plus, he seems like a good guy with decent taste in music, so he has that going for him.
December 23, 2020 @ 3:31 pm
Kirk Jay. He sang with Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts on the Voice.
July 18, 2021 @ 7:25 am
The guys who hosted the country radio program “Grassroots Gold” tell a hell of a story about Charlie’s time spent in Great Falls. Charlie happened into a club they were playing at and during a break asked if he could sit in with the band. They said sure thing and he did. By the next break a previously large crowd had totally vacated the premises. Seems early 60’s Montana just wasn’t ready fer no dang black country music singers! I spent a summer in Seattle the year Just Between You and Me came out, got the 45, took it home to North Dakota and talked my Dad into buying the album and we were both shocked to see he wasn’t the stereotypical white boy in a Nudie suit!! My entire family were and still are his biggest fans. Saw him perform live many times.
December 22, 2020 @ 2:06 pm
Gotta agree. Someone tell Dwayne this isn’t an action flick. This film should mean something, and that criteria is mostly foreign to him.
December 22, 2020 @ 2:14 pm
I really like Dwayne Johnson, but not pretending to be Charlie Pride. Give someone a break!!!
December 23, 2020 @ 5:43 pm
Willie jones from the x factor he would make a great charlie pride, definitely not Dwayne johnson.
December 22, 2020 @ 2:44 pm
Has to be with someone that has that deep comforting voice that Charlie had, what about his son Deon? This is a story long time due and if done right could be a classic.
December 22, 2020 @ 2:50 pm
I thought about his son Deon too. He can sing and looks pretty close to pops. Only question is if he’d have the acting chops to carry the lead part in a feature film. That’s a tall order.
December 22, 2020 @ 4:21 pm
Yes, I agree Charley’s Son-Deon would be a great choice! I do believe Terrance Howard would be a great close 2nd choice – if he would reconsider. Our condolences to Rozene & family. Rest in peace Charley – u will be sorely missed. I still have all my Mom’s 33 vinyl records of Charley. ❤
December 22, 2020 @ 8:53 pm
I’d forgotten about Deon. If he can act then I’d say give him a shot at it. If anyone has earned a good biopic treatment, it’s Charley. His unfortunate passing only magnifies that.
December 22, 2020 @ 2:54 pm
For some reason it annoys me when people mispell Charley’s first name as Charlie. It’s Charley.
December 22, 2020 @ 8:54 pm
Well then you’ll be perennially annoyed because most writers who are not country music specialists, spell it “Charlie.” And they also write “Eddie Arnold.”
Heck, I’m annoyed when people–non sportswriters–write “Superbowl.” But I got used to it.
December 23, 2020 @ 12:29 pm
It’s not just writers who aren’t country fans. There are people in this comments section right now who are spelling it wrong.
December 22, 2020 @ 4:38 pm
Still had the same VOICE as when I was a teen. Blessed to see him about 2yrs ago. One of the last great voices of REAL country music. Next to Ray Price, my favorite.
December 22, 2020 @ 4:45 pm
Ray Price and Charlie were my very favorites. Saw Charlie about 2yrs ago. Still same voice. Still have his 33’s. God bless him and family. Loved him and all his songs.
December 22, 2020 @ 5:18 pm
WHO’s gonna fill their shoes???
December 22, 2020 @ 6:27 pm
Dion has played in several movies and would an excellent pick for the mature Charley, but someone younger to play the part of the 50’s and 60’s. He has a very handsome grandson that would be perfect, but I don’t know if he has acting skills
December 22, 2020 @ 11:25 pm
I’m sorry, Diana, but acting should be left to actors and actresses; there are shitloads of young black actors that are probably also good singers who could play Charley Pride, and I’d like to see one of them cast as him.
December 22, 2020 @ 7:50 pm
Not to get off topic of the upcoming movie, but this past weekend I watched Dan Rather interview Charley Pride on AXS TV, it was a great. Charley offered a lot of insight what it was like coming up in country music. I really appreciated the stories of his father. If you haven’t watched any of the episodes of The Big Interview with Dan Rather check it out, he does a really good job of telling the story of people in music and entertainment. Here is the link to the Charley Pride interview, I hope it works for everybody.
https://www.axs.tv/channel/the-big-interview-with-dan-rather/the-big-interview-with-dan-rather-season-3/video/charley-pride/
December 22, 2020 @ 8:14 pm
How about Denzel? He would have to get in shape to play baseball Charley and then just dub all the songs
January 27, 2021 @ 11:22 am
I think Denzel Washington would be an excellent choice too .
December 22, 2020 @ 10:55 pm
From what I understand Charley didn’t want it to be about race. He spent his life making it about the music. He let the songs speak for themselves. It would be a shame it the movie betrayed that. Lets hope that it doesn’t.
December 22, 2020 @ 10:58 pm
I seen Charley in concert about four years ago in Minnesota I’ve be been a lifelong fan! I got to meet him because i’m in the fan club & had my photo taken with him ! In my opinion he had a voice that was so amazing you just got drawn in if you had good taste in music! Absolutely Loved him ( I hope they find a suitable person to play the part , Dwayne Johnson is definitely not it!! Rest In Peace my Friend
December 22, 2020 @ 11:01 pm
I saw an interview a few years back where someone asked him why he still performed at his age. He explained that several of his band members had been with him for decades and he couldn’t just put them out of a job like that. Total respect from me on that answer and I really hope that that’s the movie they make.
December 23, 2020 @ 3:02 am
Joe Pesci in blackface will do the best job
December 23, 2020 @ 5:09 am
listen, I like Charley as much as the next guy. i can still remember watching him on Hee Haw when I was a kid with my parents. But this doesn’t sound interesting to me at all. Charley was just another country singer from that generation. And I think that’s how he liked it. he never wanted to be put on a pedestal because of his race.
December 23, 2020 @ 7:40 am
This is a good point, but like the people using him as a pawn on Twitter for their own personal gain, it unfortunately probably won’t come down to what he might have wanted. In some of these comment sections alone, we’ve already seen some people posthumously gaslighting him and saying he couldn’t have really meant that. Maybe by some miracle though Quaid will take him at his word and not over emphasize that part of the story. In fairness though, it would also be irresponsible not to mention it.
December 23, 2020 @ 8:11 am
I first reported on a biopic being made about Charley Pride in 2011. Here it is nine years later, and it’s only now getting the green light. Though I have never been told anything concrete, the 2nd hand knowledge of why the film has taken so long is because Charley didn’t like the way the scripts and approach came together. This new script writer working directly with Charley and his wife is supposedly what broke the impasse. I can’t tell you how much this movie will focus on race. What I can tell you is it received Charley’s blessing.
December 23, 2020 @ 11:18 am
It may have to focus on race, since most people, movie critics, and bloggers will expect it to make comments on race, particularly in light of recent events; if it doesn’t, it’ll probably get a shitstorm of criticism for not doing so from the above-mentioned people.
December 23, 2020 @ 11:28 am
Well, I think there should be some focus on race. Race was part of Charley Pride’s story. For me, I just want the focus to be on an accurate portrayal of his life and career. If you either completely ignore race, or embellish it to make it appeal to today’s zeitgeist, you don’t do that. Just tell the story.
December 29, 2020 @ 9:22 am
Trigger alludes to a pertinent point. If Mr. Pride rejected almost a decade of scripts, he probably knew something we don’t. His story is probably better served by a documentary (a few already exist), whereupon he recounts his life in his own tone and with his own perspective. Not being a firebrand songwriter, there’s no Red-Headed Stranger-What’s Going On- Tapestry-Songs In The Key Of Life game-changer album to anchor the narrative. There’s also no Jackie Robinson-evoking flood of African-Americans through the door he kicked open. A beautiful voice creating pleasing mainstream music for decades, no argument there. Poverty, baseball, hits, Willie Nelson’s kiss… certainly a more interesting life than most of ours.. The anomaly of his “pigmentation” (the word he used in interviews often) is the dramatic hook, clearly, and is more about the reactions of those around him and less about the man. Still, might be some great stories we haven’t heard, hope it’s a great film.
April 25, 2021 @ 6:12 pm
Kross, Charley Pride absolutely wanted a movie made about him. He wasn’t just another country singer. He was exceptional and had many obstacles to get through. Charley deserves the best writers, actors, producers, etc. I think his younger brother, Stephen, would be a great guy to consider playing Charley. Plus, Stephen, could help tell the life story????????????????
December 23, 2020 @ 6:51 am
I’m trying to think of a bio film about a musical artist that I thought was a good picture, and I can’t think of one. They are generally pretty mediocre and formulaic.
Funnily enough, this being SCM, I have never seen that Johnny Cash movie that was all the rage some years ago. Quite a few people have said it is good and told me to watch it, but I have just never got around to it.
December 23, 2020 @ 12:33 pm
I watched “Walk the Line” and while it had some good things, I cannot recommend it, mainly because of the performances of the two main actors. Reese got an Oscar for playing June, but she didn’t come close to being anything like June. She was simply playing Reese with a Hollywood version of a generic southern accent. Joaquin Phoenix, who has turned in some excellent performances in other films, did not capture Johnny Cash at all in this one.
You haven’t missed anything by not watching it.
April 25, 2021 @ 6:15 pm
Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn in Coal Miners Daughter and Jamie Fox as Ray Charles in Ray, and Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, as John and June Cash in I’ll walk the line. All three were great
December 24, 2020 @ 4:15 am
How about Tony Jackson? Check him out singing Nashville Cats on you tube.
December 27, 2020 @ 7:27 pm
Dennis Quaid should get John Boyega to play Charlie Pride.
February 11, 2021 @ 10:12 am
What about Darius Rucker???
May 27, 2023 @ 6:50 pm
Charley Pride son will be the best person to play his father