A movie based on the music of Prince is reportedly in the works, after the rights to use the singer’s legendary catalogue of songs was secured.
As Variety reports, Universal Pictures has confirmed a deal with the music icon’s estate, although it won’t be a biopic of his life in the vein of recent releases such as Bohemian Rhapsody.
Instead, the film will focus on an original story that uses Prince’s songs to drive forward to the plot. The original idea was reportedly formulated by Prince’s estate and Universal after they agreed that a biopic had largely been covered by Prince’s 1984 movie Purple Rain.
Although specific details of the plot are yet to emerge, negotiations are believed to be underway with potential writers and producers who hope that the film can follow in the vein of successes such as Mamma Mia – which featured the music of ABBA alongside an original plot line.
The confirmation comes only months after it was revealed that Universal had secured the rights to George Michael’s music for a new Christmas movie.