Walt Disney Studios To Produce Lionel Richie Musical ‘All Night Long’

Walt Disney Studios is set to start working on All Night Long, a film named after the 1983 number one hit song by Lionel Richie. It will be a movie-musical based on the songs from the singer. 

Richie had pitched the idea to Walt Disney Studios earlier this year, but confirmed the production by replying to a tweet on June 9. He said, “Big things in the works!”

Richie and his manager Bruce Eskowitz are going to produce alongside Dana Brunetti and Matt DelPiano from Cavalry Studios. Peter Chiarelli, who worked on Crazy Rich Asians and Now You See Me 2, is working on the original script. 

Theatrical films have recently been doing well in the box office with biopics and academy award winning films such as Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody. Musical The Greatest Showman from Fox also reached great success in 2017. Disney envisions for All Night Long to be similar to popular Broadway show and movie Mamma Mia! As the storyline for Mamma Mia! was based on songs by musical group ABBA, All Night Long will be based on music by Richie.

In his time, Richie sold more than 90 million records and has won four Grammys. He is well known for his popular songs which include “All Night Long,” “Hello,” “Say You, Say Me,” “Endless Love” and “Dancing On The Ceiling.” The 80s star also has a number of hits from his time in the funk and soul group The Commodores. He even co-wrote “We Are The World” with King of Pop Michael Jackson. Richie is currently a judge on American Idol which recently had its finale virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. Because of the pandemic, Richie was forced to postpone is European tour that was set for this summer.