A rumored biopic of one of the greatest Saturday Night Live performers may begin shooting in 2026. That according to Josh Gad, who hopes to direct “A Chris Farley Story” for New Line Cinema.
As long ago as 2022, Paul Walter Hauser was said to be slated to play Chris Farley, who died in 1997 at the age of 33. Farley spent five seasons in SNL from 1990 to 1995. He is considered one of the most dynamic and greatest cast members in the history of Saturday Night Live.
Farley’s meteoric rise to fame on the late night show and sad death from a drug overdose place him in a sad category of superstars. But his story, like that of his hero John Belushi, isn’t a particularly unique one in Hollywood. Which begs the question: do we really need a movie to show us the ugly death of beloved comedian?
Farley’s legacy is much better preserved by the clips from his seasons on SNL, and starring role in Tommy Boy, where he performed elbow-to-elbow with SNL buddy David Spade.
Lorne Michaels shows no caution with his Broadway Video production company: if he can make a buck off one of his former SNL employees, he will. Michaels is linked as the executive producer of the project, which according to Gad is currently being worked out between the script writers and New Line.
The 50th anniversary of SNL has seemed to light a fire under film makers. A slew of movies have debuted surrounding Saturday Night Live folks, including a documentary on Eddie Murphy, another on longtime SNL writer Jim Downey, and the upcoming doc about Chevy Chase.
Examining the cultural impact of Murphy is one thing. The former SNL star helped save the show, and became an iconic movie star, pop music star, and unparalleled standup comedy giant. He helmed multiple film franchises, and made a triumphant return to Studio 8H in Season 45 to host.
But a Farley movie wouldn’t likely add anything new to the legacy of the star, who had a far-too-short period to make an impact on comedy and film. Farley made just one movie that stands the test of time, and after SNL never had the time to establish a new career trajectory. Even his tenure on SNL, in retrospect, is less impressive than his reputation. His was an era of so-called “Bad Boy” humor on SNL, when, as many female cast members have pointed out, the show became a boy’s club.
It’s best, in my opinion, to let Chris Farley rest. His hilarious moments on SNL, punctuated by Matt Foley, the Chippendale sketch with Patrick Swayze, and the underrated “Chris Farley Show,” are the most appropriate ways to remember the man-child he was. His legendary binges of self-indulgence can be imagined. They don’t need to be magnified.
