In addition to the long line of competing tent pole films (from “Dante’s Peak” vs. “Volcano” up to “Mirror, Mirror” vs. “Snow White and the Huntsman”), there has in recent years been a growing number of biopics going head-to-head. First there was “Capote” vs. “Infamous,” as well as the upcoming “Lovelace” vs. “Inferno,” and next a pair of Jeff Buckley films: Daniel Algrant's
“Greetings From Tim Buckley” starring Penn Badgley will go head-to-head with a still untitled Jeff Scott movie starring Reeves Carney (Broadway’s “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark”). It’s unclear why so many dual projects go forward in this way, but it’s likely that this is the only way producers can get excited: hunting a directly competing film is their version of “The Most Dangerous Game.”
Patricia Arquette, who decided to give up any sort of credibility by starring on the drama “Medium” for the past seven years, has joined the Jake Scott directed pic, co-starring as the musicians's mother, Mary Guibert, in what is essentially a cameo role that will see her appearing in flashback and in present day. Unlike his rival, Jake Scott's pic has the blessing of Guibert and has rights to the Buckley’s music and personal archives, as well as the famed (and overplayed) cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Even though "Greetings From Tim Buckley" is already in post-production, this one will start shooting in the spring and with the involvement of the family, it still looks like the picture to beat. But whether it will capture the spirit of the musician who continues to resonate with fans around the world, will be a monumental feat. [Variety]