Dolemite Is My Name is coming to theaters and Netflix this fall.
After making its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, the Eddie Murphy-starring biopic will arrive in theaters on Friday, October 4, making it eligible for an awards season run. The film will hit Netflix on October 25, Variety reports.
The movie is based on the life of comedian, movie producer and rap pioneer Rudy Ray Moore. After a string of showbiz failures, Moore comes up with an outrageous alter-ego he calls Dolemite — a wig-wearing pimp with a cane.
Related Story: Eddie Murphy Becomes Wig-Wearing Pimp in ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ Trailer
Moore convinces a social justice-minded dramatist (Keegan-Michael Key) to write his alter ego a movie that incorporates kung fu, car chases and Lady Reed (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), an ex-backup singer with comedic skills. In real life, Moore’s 1975 film Dolemite became a box office smash and a defining movie of the Blaxploitation era.
The cast includes Wesley Snipes, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Snoop Dogg, Ron Cephas Jones, Barry Shabaka Henley, Tip ‘TI’ Harris, Luenell, and Tasha Smith.
Craig Brewer directs from a script written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. The film is produced by John Davis, John Fox and Murphy. Charisse Hewitt-Webster and Michael Beugg executive produce. Academy Award winner Ruth E. Carter designed the costumes.
Netflix plans to roll out several other films this fall. The titles and release dates are below.
The Laundromat?
Sept. 7 (Theatrical), Oct. 18 (Netflix)
The King?
Oct. 11 (Theatrical); Nov. 1 (Netflix)
The Irishman?
Nov. 1 (Theatrical); Nov. 27 (Netflix)
Earthquake Bird
Nov. 1 (Theatrical); Nov. 15 (Netflix)
Marriage Story
Nov. 6 (Theatrical); Dec. 6 (Netflix)
Klaus?
Nov. 8 (Theatrical); Nov. 15 (Netflix)
I Lost My Body
Nov. 15 (Theatrical); Nov. 29 (Netflix)
Atlantics
Nov. 15 (Theatrical); Nov. 29 (Netflix)
The Two Popes
Nov. 27 (Theatrical); Dec. 20 (Netflix)
