Groucho Marx is widely considered one of the most influential figures in the history of comedy.Deadlinehas announcedthat an upcoming biopic of the icon will starGeoffrey Rush(Pirates of the Caribbean) as a member of the Marx family.Raised Eyebrowsfeatures Rush in the leading role of Groucho Marx, with Sienna Miller and Charlie Plummer in the supporting cast.
Steve Stoliar is serving as the writer for the movie. The project is based on Stoliar’s own memoir,Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho’s House. Oscar-nominated Oren Moverman is the director for the motion picture. Plummer will play Stoliar on-screen, while Miller will play Erin Flemming, Stoliar’s girlfriend-turned-manager who would eventually take over his personal and professional lives.
Groucho Marx began his entertainment profession as a vaudeville performer alongside his brothers. Together, the group would gain prominence as the Marx Brothers. He would become acclaimed across the film, radio, and television industries.Duck Soup, arguably his most beloved movie, is regarded as one of the best comedies in film history. Marx would later be given an honorary Academy Award in 1974 for his contributions to the world of comedy.
Raised EyebrowsHas Been Stuck in Development Hell
A synopsis for the upcoming film reads:“Raised Eyebrowschronicles Stoliar’s experience working as a personal secretary and archivist for the comedian during the final three years of his life, and while it mainly focuses on Stoliar’s time with Groucho, the memoir also features anecdotes of his time spent with two other Marx Brothers, Zeppo and Gummo, as well as other film icons like Jack Lemmon, Mae West, Bob Hope, and many more.”
Raised Eyebrowshas been in a state of development hell for years. Back in 2015, rock star and horror directorRob Zombie was set to helm the project. Now, Zombie is no longer involved with the production. Moverman has taken his place in the director’s chair. When speaking aboutRaised Eyebrows, he explained, “It’s a pleasure and an honor and a responsibility and probably something else to work with this amazing cast on a story I hope will reintroduce the genius of Groucho Marx in a new, provocative, entertaining way all these years later. Steve Stoliar has given the world incredible insight into a bygone era. Done right, we will screw it up royally.”
Miranda Bailey, a producer for the motion picture, as well as the CEO of production company Cold Iron Pictures, added to Moverman’s comments when she said, “After many years diligently working to get Steve’s brilliant, true story adapted for the screen, I’m thrilled that we found the perfect ensemble of actors to portray these rich yet complicated characters that Oren will, no doubt, masterfully bring to life. Even in a world that tells us ‘never meet your idols,’ Steve’s friendship with Groucho Marx, while filled with moments of heartbreaking humanity, proved to be an overwhelmingly positive and life-changing experience for him — an essence we hope to capture for our audience.”
