Rami Malek won an Oscar in 2019 for his portrayal of Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury, and now the Mr. Robot star is reportedly set to play another iconic real-life character. According to Deadline, Malek has been tapped to play silent comedy movie legend Buster Keaton in a new limited series from Warner Bros. Television.
The project comes from Matt Reeves (The Batman) 6th & Idaho Productions, with Reeves expected to helm the series, with Malek and David Weddle producing. Multiple-time Emmy Award winner Ted Cohen, known for his work on Legacy and Veep, is in talks to write and executive produce the project, Deadline reports.
The studio is said to be in talks to acquire the rights to James Curtis’ book Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker’s Life, which will serve as source material for the series. Reeves’ 6th & Idaho has renewed its overall deal with Warner Bros.
Television Group 2022, will see the production company working on several projects for the media company over the next few years. It also includes Reeves’ Batman HBO Max spinoff series, The Penguin, in which Colin Farrell reprises his villainous role from the film.
Keaton became a vaudeville child actor, actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is best known for his silent film work, which features his trademark physical comedy and deadpan expressions, earning him the nickname “The Great Stone Face”.
The General, The Electric House, The Cameraman, The Playhouse, and Sherlock Jr. Malek, played by Elliott Alderson in the USA Network drama Mr. Robot, are some of his most memorable movies recently starring in 2022.
Comedy thriller Amsterdam opposite Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington. He will next be seen in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming biopic Oppenheimer.
