A new film about the rise and scandalous fall of international R&B duo Milli Vanilli has been announced titled Girl You Know It’s True.
Casting details and a first look image from German media company Leonine Studios were published Thursday by The Hollywood Reporter, showing newcomers Elan Ben Ali and Tijan Njie as Fabrice Morvan and Robert Pilatus, the chart-topping duo out of Munich, Germany.
German filmmaker Simon Verhoeven is directing the movie based on a script he wrote.
“Girl You Know It’s True is captivating on so many levels,” Verhoeven said in a statement to THR. “It not only tells the spectacular rise of two underdogs making it to the zenith of showbiz within one summer, it also gives a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of that illusory world of fame and its sometimes tragic and unscrupulous machinations. Personally, I think Rob and Fab did not deserve to become the sole scapegoats of this scandal.”
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Milli Vanilli was created in 1988. The duo became global superstars after releasing the hit tracks “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You,” “Baby Don’t Forget My Number,” “Blame It on the Rain,” and “Girl You Know It’s True.” They won the Best New Artist Grammy Award, but had short-lived success after news leaked that frontmen Morvan and Pilatus didn’t sing any of the vocals on their records. One of the real singers stepped forward and it was revealed that the fake group was manufactured by music producer Frank Farian.
The duo was stripped of their Grammy Award and they became a punchline on comedy shows, including In Living Color.
Morvan and Pilatus struggled to make a comeback, but never reclaimed their previous level of success. Pilatus died of a suspected drug overdose in 1998.
Netflix’s Army of Thieves star Matthias Schweighöfer will play producer Frank Farian in the film.
Leonine Studios and Wiedemann & Berg Film are producing. Associate producers include Carmen Pilatus, sister of the late Rob Pilatus, Brad Howell and Jasmin Davis, daughter of the late John Davis. Howell and Davis were the real voices of Milli Vanilli.
The film is being shot in Germany, South Africa and Los Angeles. It does not yet have a release date.
I think I’ve heard of them. How are you Milli Vanilli now? It’s a shame to have to be the scapegoat of all.