For the eccentric performer who earned the nickname the "Godfather of Soul," one biopic is not nearly enough for such an incredible career, which is why HBO will screen the documentary Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown next month.
As Variety reports, the doc, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side), will feature previously unreleased footage and interviews to put Brown's work into a historical context. Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, who earned a producer's credit for the Brown biopic Get On Up, is also involved with the documentary.
"When Mick Jagger reached out to me to direct the documentary, we had a common goal in mind, to take the music of James Brown and put it into a larger historical context," Gibney said in a statement. "As a musician, 'Mr. Dynamite' was the essential funk pioneer, a hugely influential figure and one of the greatest live performers - ever. Beyond his music, Brown's cultural impact extends to the present day."
Brown burst on to the scene in 1956 with "Please, Please, Please" and went on to gain popularity through songs like "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine." The funk pioneer was always revered for his energetic stage performances, and his 1963 release Live at the Apollo is considered to be one of the best live albums ever recorded. Brown passed away in 2006 of congestive heart failure.
Get On Up hit theaters in August and despite positive reviews, the movie only made about $13.5 million its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo. To be fair, it was competing against the likes of Guardians of the Galaxy and Lucy.
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown will premiere Oct. 28 on HBO.
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