After the reclusive fitness personality denied involvement in the upcoming film about him, The Wolper Organization says it respects the star's 'desire to privacy' and 'would never want to invade that.'
- Jan 18, 2024
AceShowbiz - The Wolper Organization is moving forward with its plans to make a Richard Simmons biopic despite a strong disapproval from the star himself. Shortly after the fitness personality disavowed the upcoming film about him, the studio has explained the reason why it feels the need to make the movie.
"While we would love to have him involved, we respect his desire to privacy and plan to produce a movie that honors him, celebrates him and tells a dramatic story," the studio, which is a Warner Bros. subsidiary, said in a statement on Wednesday, January 17.
They added, "We know he is deeply private and we would never want to invade that, how ever he is an amazing person, that changed millions of peoples lives and the effect he has had on the world needs to be recognized."
The Wolper Organization issued the statement in response to Simmons' statement to make it clear that he did not give his consent to the project. In a rare move, he posted on his official Facebook page, "Hi Everybody! 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."
The 75-year-old went on stating, "I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support."
Earlier that day, the studio announced the project that will star comedian/actor Shore as Simmons. The "Encino Man" star gushed, "I'm really excited about sharing Richard Simmons's life with the world. We all need this biopic now more than ever. Simmons represented mental health, getting people in shape and being his authentic silly self! Whenever he was on TV you could never take your eyes off of him and he brought such a joy to his appearances that represented nothing but a good time."
Mark Wolper of The Wolper Organization said the studio is in "serious discussions with a major writer" to develop the movie as a "dramatic and heartfelt feature in the tone of 'Little Miss Sunshine'." He added, "We have been dancing around the idea for years, but it never coalesced until several months ago when I saw the press about Pauly Shore being touted by social media as the ONLY person that could play Richard."
Shore is also portraying Simmons in a short film called "The Court Jester", which will premiere on Friday, January 19 at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. The short film, which is unrelated to the biopic, is directed by Jake Lewis.
