Wendell Pierce To Play Blues Legend B.B. King In Biopic

Veteran actor Wendell Pierce is set to play blues legend B.B. King in the upcoming biopic The Thrill Is On.

Pierce took to Twitter earlier this week to confirm the news “We are official. Preparation has begun on a film where I will be honored to play the great, BB King. Humbled,” he wrote. “I promised B.B. King before he died, I will honor him and his creative genius. An American Icon.” The film is currently in production but due to the restrictions of the coronavirus, it will most likely not be released until at least 2021.

The description reads, “A drama centered on the friendship between B.B King and young musician Michael Zanetis.” Zanetis also serves as the film’s producer and co-writer but casting for his character has yet to be announced. Melora Donoghue is also credited as a co-writer with past production including the producing of Billie Eilish’s “When the Party’s Over” music video.

Pierce is best known for his five season run as William “Bunk” Moreland on The Wire, but has played several memorable roles on TV series and films, such as Malcolm X, Waiting To Exhale, Get On The Bus, Ray, Selma, Suits, and more recently Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan.