UPDATE: Hank Williams Biopic “I Saw The Light” Readies November 27th Release

This story has been updated.
The Hank Williams biopic entitled I Saw The Light starring Tom Hiddleston as Hank Williams, Elizabeth Olsen as Hank’s wife Audrey, and based off of the Hank biography by Colin Escott, will be released on November 27th.
The news is in line with the expectations for the film to be released in the heart of Oscar season in an attempt to position it as a contender for the year’s top awards. The screenplay for the film was written veteran film producer Marc Abraham who also steps behind the camera as director for only his second time in his career. I Saw The Light was picked up by Sony Classics for distribution in April.
Along with information on a November release, Oscar buzz continues to swirl around the film even before it arrives. Sony Pictures Classics co-President’s Michael Barker and Tom Bernard were talking up Tom Hiddleston’s performance at the L.A. Film Festival the second week of June while premiering other Sony Classics movies. A November release and placement in the right fall film festivals is what is expected for I Saw The Light, and is the usual method for creating Oscar buzz heading into the end of the year. Sony Classic landed 18 Oscar nominations during last year’s awards cycle.
I Saw The Light was filmed in Shreveport, LA in October of 2014, and obtained the rights to use the original Hank Williams songs through Sony ATV. The British-born Tom Hiddleston will sing multiple Hank Williams songs live during the movie, potentially “Move It On Over,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” and others. Rodney Crowell was chosen as the film’s Executive Music Director, and was also assigned to coach Hiddleston on how to sing like Hank. The films score was done by San Diego native Aaron Zigman.
Hank Williams III, the grandson of Hank Williams, has been a vocal opponent of the pick of the British-born Tom Hiddleston to play his grandfather.
UPDATE (8-12-15): Sony Pictures Classics has released the first “official” picture of Tom Hiddleston as Hank.
June 20, 2015 @ 10:55 am
Before anyone starts slandering Mr. Hiddleston, know that Doom supports this casting. He has done an exemplary job bringing to life my friend and fellow supervillain Loki. He was much better than any actor who has ever played ME! But then, who could possibly portray me? Anyway, based on his previous work, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I am not biased though. If he doesn’t live up to my expectations, I will bash him just as much as any of you.
June 20, 2015 @ 11:02 am
In an alternate universe I recently discovered, pop never took over country. Much of this can be attributed to the fact that in this world, Hank Williams didn’t die until 1996. Tim McGraw never became a singer, but instead decided to pursue an acting career. His breakout role was playing Hank Williams in a critically acclaimed cinematic masterpiece, and that remains his greatest role to date.
August 12, 2015 @ 8:27 pm
Is it true that in that alternate universe, Johnny Cash shot a rap-country singer just to watch him die?
June 20, 2015 @ 11:05 am
I’m really psyched about this. Can’t wait to see it.
June 20, 2015 @ 11:05 am
that Johnny Cash movie was basically a musical. is that what this is gonna be too? i love Hank Sr. music as much as the next Hank Sr. fan but im not intrested if its gonna be some over produced Lifetime movie of the week. if it is, im just gonna save my Reese’s Pieces money for Star Wars instead.
June 20, 2015 @ 3:21 pm
Not sure where else to post this, so I’m going with the most recent article — there’s an Eddie Spaghetti (of the Supersuckers) Fight Cancer Fund that’s been set up on PayPal & YouCaring since his recent diagnosis. Because his treatments will interfere with touring/his income, I thought some exposure to this fund could be a big help. His contributions to country music have been solid.
Anyway, thanks for the great reporting as always.
June 20, 2015 @ 4:44 pm
Definitely gonna be watching this when it comes out. I didn’t mind Walk the Line like a lot of people did, I agree it may have been a little over produced at times but always stayed true to cash’s legacy as a musician and a person.
June 20, 2015 @ 8:01 pm
I hope something big is planned for the movie’s release here in Montgomery where Hank and Audrey are laid to rest and where the Hank Williams museum is located. We’ll see.
June 20, 2015 @ 11:19 pm
I’m Julie Bell from Bradford West Yorkshire England. Huge fan of Tom Hiddleston. I found out a few weeks ago, I’m a distant cousin, on his mum’s side of the family. His mum Diane’s aunt Mary Vestey, sister of Diane’s mother Patricia Servaes. Mary Vestey’s husband Ralph Bruce Verney The ‘Bruce’ part of the family, descended from two different Royal dynasties. (1) William the Conqueror, who invaded England 1066AD, though Henry Clifford, (2) Princess Mary Tudor, sister of King Henry 8th + Margaret Tudor. Mary Tudor had daughter Eleanor, with Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. Eleanor wife of above Henry Clifford. My 5x grd father Thomas Coggan- Coggan one of 19 variations of ancient Welsh Cogan dynasty, by a Norman lord, Anon, later John, who ‘founded Welsh village Cogan, 1139AD. Anon had 3 sons with Gwladys FitzWalter- – Miles, Richard + Geoffrey. Gwladys daughter of Nest Rhys, daughter of ancient Welsh King Rhys Tewdwr. Nest’s brother Gruffydd, ancestor of King Henry 8th, Margaret Tudor, + Princess Mary Tudor. Margaret ancestor of the British Royal family. For more, see my blogs ‘Julie Bell my Scottish welsh royal heritage / chart of Tom Hiddlestons grt uncle Ralph Bruce Verney’ on normal ‘google’
June 22, 2015 @ 4:45 am
Everybody in jolly old England is related. Closely related.
June 20, 2015 @ 11:41 pm
Cant wait to see ‘I saw the light’
June 21, 2015 @ 4:49 am
I became a fan of Tom Hiddleston, after seeing him in BBC Drama ‘Hollow Crown’ 2012, as King Henry 5th. Even more if a fan, seein him as ‘Loki’ in first Thor film 2011, on DVD I borrowed, from my brother; a yr later. Then on a chat show ‘Alan Carr Chattyman’ Nov 2013. Tom did a couple of impersonations, of Alan Carr + Kermit the Frog. Toward the end of the show, Tom did vs type of hip hop dance. I just fell completely, + deeply in love with him
June 21, 2015 @ 8:24 am
I always thought Christian Bale had an uncanny resemblance to Hank
June 21, 2015 @ 12:57 pm
I hope the movie is well done. Hank Williams is one of my favorite country artists. My dad would sing Hey Good Lookin to my mom. He would listen to other like Johhny Cash, Wille ect. Hank is his favorite. I listened to him a lot when he was home. Hank is one of my all time favorite country artist. Excited to watch the movie.
June 22, 2015 @ 6:48 am
Well I’m glad the producers have picked a real class actor for the lead role. This film does not deserve a Hollywood “pretty boy” playing the incredibly influential song writing genius of Hank.
If they have gone to so much trouble to get Tom, then we can only hope the script will be up to the quality & detail of Colin Escott’s definitive biography.
It never ceases to amaze me how many British actors turn up in so many class American films & TV Series these days. For years they could never master the American accent, but this has not been the case over the last two decades.
June 23, 2015 @ 11:14 am
Yes. I agree. Hugh Laurie did a great American accent in House. If he had been younger, he would have been good for this part. He can sing and play numerous instruments. Plus, he is tall and thin. American actors tend to be “movie stars,” just good looking people with minimal acting talent, while the British actors tend to be good actors first, with their looks being secondary.
August 12, 2015 @ 8:28 pm
Directors love to work with British actors because they’re more interested in being actors than celebrities. They’re professionals that show up on time and work hard.
I’m a Hank 3 fan but I don’t think he knows much about film and TV casting if he thinks Brits don’t successfully play Americans. I don’t know if Tom is the right choice but if he blows it, it’s not because he’s English. Scarlett O’ Hara is probably the most iconic southern role of all time and she was played by the very English Vivien Leigh.
June 23, 2015 @ 8:50 pm
Anyone heard of a release date for heartworn highways revisited?
Also any opinions of the teaser trailer?
June 23, 2015 @ 9:01 pm
They have been screening the movie in various locations, including in California and in Nashville recently. Haven’t seen anything on a DVD release or online distribution. They seem to be well-meaning, but they are bad with communication. I tried to keep up with the doings of the film, but they would only sporadically answer emails, and never really have any solid information on what was going on. I hope to review it eventually.
June 23, 2015 @ 9:08 pm
Thanks trig. IMO it will never live up to the original, the magic they caught with that footage is a once in a lifetime thing. But who knows maybe ppl will be saying the same thing about this one 30 yrs from now. Keeping my fingers crossed.
August 13, 2015 @ 1:22 pm
I can see Tom Hiddleston as Hank, but casting Chris Hemsworth as the booze is a bridge too far.
August 14, 2015 @ 7:39 am
I heard a caller on a radio station fifteen years ago, state she didn’t know Hank Jr.’s dad was a singer. That told me everything. Lord help us…