Lionel Richie Gets Greenlight To Produce Curtis Mayfield Biopic

After much talk and negotiations, Lionel Richie has finally been reached a deal with the estate of Curtis Mayfield to produce a biopic of the late soul singer.

Deadline reports that along with working with the estate, Richie will also work with Mayfield's widow Altheida Mayfield to create the film via Richie's production company RichLion Productions.

“[I] couldn’t be happier to be moving forward on this amazing project about a one-of-a-kind music genius,” Richie said in a statement. “It’s time to celebrate and re-evaluate Curtis’ legacy,” added Altheida Mayfield, the singer’s widow. “For years, too many others have tried to claim what he alone did. He was a genius, always stood on his own.”

A biography on Mayfield, Traveling Soul, was published last year. No word yet on the screenwriter, director, cast or release date of the film. 

Mayfield is known for civil rights anthems "Keep On Pushing" and "People Get Ready," as well as his iconic Superfly soundtrack. He was paralyzed in 1990 after a stage light fell on him during a concert in Brooklyn, New York. He died at the age of 57 in 1999 following complications with diabetes.