Pauly Shore’s biopic controversy: A deeper look into the Richard Simmons saga

The clash over Richard Simmons’ biopic

In the world of cinema and TV series, few stories have sparked as much debate as the proposed biopic of the late fitness icon, Richard Simmons. Actor and comedian Pauly Shore has found himself at the center of this controversy, as he continues to develop a film about Simmons, despite strong opposition from Simmons’ family and staff.

Shore’s perspective on the biopic

Pauly Shore, known for his comedic roles in the 90s, has expressed his deep admiration for Richard Simmons. In a recent interview, Shore stated, “I know he wanted me to do it. I don’t even know if that was him tweeting [disapproval] the whole time, to be quite honest. I don’t know who that was.” This statement reflects Shore’s belief that Simmons would have supported the project, despite public statements to the contrary.

Family and staff’s response

However, Simmons’ family and staff have been vocal about their disapproval. They took to Simmons’ social media accounts to clarify that Simmons never gave his blessing for the biopic. Simmons’ brother, Lenny, emphasized, “Dicky absolutely wrote his own posts. He worked on them a week in advance, going over and over them to get the right message. He would often read them to Cathy and I beforehand. What he has NOT done was to text, email or call Pauly with anything; not even to wish him ‘Good Luck’ as Pauly has stated many times.”

The origins of the biopic

News of Shore’s biopic first broke in January, and from the outset, Simmons was dismissive of the project. In a Facebook post, Simmons wrote, “You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read.”

Shore, however, remains undeterred. He has described his project as “all about love,” insisting that it is not meant to be a mockery. “It’s never been vindictive. I’m not Borat. I’m not, ‘Let’s make fun of someone.’ It’s the opposite. At this point, it’s an unauthorized biopic and they’re made every day,” Shore said.

Simmons’ own biopic plans

Interestingly, Simmons had been in talks with film studios about creating his own biopic. This revelation came after Shore’s project gained media attention. Simmons posted, “I just read that a man that I don’t know is writing my biopic starring Pauly Shore. I do not approve this movie. I am in talks with major studios to create my own biopic with some help. Wait for this movie.”

Shore’s emotional response

Shore responded emotionally to Simmons’ public disapproval. “I was up all night crying regarding Richard Simmons’ tweet. Richard, how do you not approve of this movie? I mean, really, who’s better to play you in a movie than ME? Leonardo DiCaprio’s not gonna play you. Brad Pitt’s not gonna play you. I’m perfect. Everyone already thinks I’m you. We’re the same.”

Shore also expressed his excitement about Simmons’ own biopic plans, stating, “That’s amazing! The more movies about you, the better! You deserve it. There should be hundreds made. But as you know, many biopics are made without the subject agreeing to be part of it: Elvis, Stephen Hawking, Marilyn Monroe, Steve Jobs and many, many more. Some of them turned out good, some of them turned out bad. Mine is going to turn out amaze-balls.”

Reflecting on Simmons’ legacy

Following Simmons’ death in July, Shore took to social media to pay tribute to the fitness icon. “I hope you’re at peace and twinkling up in the heavens. Please give my mother Mitzi and my father Sammy a big hug and a kiss for me. You’re one of a kind, Richard. An amazing life. An amazing story. They broke the dolphin shorts when they made you. Rest in peace, my friend. Rest in peace.”

The future of the biopic

Shore’s unauthorized Simmons biopic is currently in development at Warner Bros. subsidiary The Wolper Organization, with writer Jordan Allen-Dutton attached to the project. Whether this film will see the light of day remains to be seen, but it is clear that the debate over Simmons’ legacy and how it should be portrayed on screen is far from over.

For those interested in exploring more about the proposed biopic, you can watch the trailer here.

Final thoughts

The controversy surrounding Pauly Shore’s biopic of Richard Simmons highlights the complexities of creating films about real-life figures. It raises important questions about artistic freedom, respect for the subject, and the ethical considerations involved in biographical storytelling. As cinema and TV series enthusiasts, it is crucial to engage with these debates and reflect on the impact that such projects can have on the legacies of the individuals they portray.