Rami Malek in talks to portray Hollywood silent film star Buster Keaton in a limited TV series
Rami Malek has been in talks to play silent film star Buster Keaton in a limited series for Warner Bros. Television.
The 41-year-old actor would also co-produce the project, which is set to be directed and co-produced by Matt Reeves, 56, according to a Variety article on Thursday.
The studio is negotiating the rights to the 2022 biopic Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker’s Life as source material for the series.
In development: Rami Malek, who screened in Los Angeles last March, was in talks to play silent film star Buster Keaton in a limited series for Warner Bros. Television
Born into a vaudeville family in Kansas in 1895, Keaton made his film debut in the 1917 silent comedy The Butcher Boy, written, directed and starring Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle.
He played his first leading role in the 1920 comedy The Saphead, which launched his career as a leading man.
Keaton became known for his wild stunts and body comedy with deadpan expressions.
He founded Buster Keaton Productions with Joseph M. Schenck and began directing his best known films including: Sherlock Jr., Steamboat Bill, Jr. and Our Hospitality.
Silent Star: Silent film star Buster Keaton is shown in 1919
The director: Matt Reeves, who screened in London last February, would direct and co-produce the limited series
Keaton also worked under contracts with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Columbia Pictures, and had contracts with independent producers.
Batman director Reeves and his company 6th and Idaho Productions signed a multi-year first-look film and television deal with Warner Bros. Pictures last August.
Malek won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Queen singer Freddie Mercury in the 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.
Vaudeville Family: Keaton, shown circa 1920, was born into a Kansas vaudeville family in 1895 and made his film debut in the 1917 silent comedy The Butcher Boy, written, directed and starring by Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle
He previously received a 2016 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work in Mr. Robot.
Last April, it was confirmed that Reeves would return to write and direct the sequel to The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson, 36, reprising his role as Bruce Wayne aka Batman.
The Batman was released last March and grossed $770.9 million at the worldwide box office.
Oscar winner: Malek, who starred in New York City in January 2020, won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Queen singer Freddie Mercury in the 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.