Once upon a time, you generally needed to be a huge success to find yourself under consideration for a movie biopic. Not anymore. These days, a spectacular flame-out or notoriety can be just as compelling. Such is the case with Rob Van Winkle, AKA Vanilla Ice, whose story will now be brought to the screen via Dave Franco.
Insider talked to the actor/director, who confirmed that he's been developing a biopic of Ice and plans to star. Writers Chris Goodwin and Phillip Van cranked out the script for To The Extreme, which according to Franco, will be along the lines of brother James' The Disaster Artist, about Tommy Wiseau and The Room, which the younger Franco appeared in. "With that movie, people expected us to make a broad comedy where we make fun of Tommy, but the more real we played it, the funnier and heartfelt it was," Franco says. "That's the tone we want for this one as well."
Ice's story is more of a success than Wiseau: he became known for the single Ice Ice Baby and the album To The Extreme, which sold 15 million copies worldwide in 1990. He also charted his story in 1991 film Cool As Ice, but his superstardom didn't last long. These days, he still performs to crowds of fans, but is also known for a home renovation show.
While the Covid pandemic has placed a hold on production for the film, Franco has been putting in time doing research, talking to Van Winkle about his life. "Rob is such a sweet and intelligent guy and he's been super helpful in the process of getting all the details correct and making us privy to information the public doesn't know," Franco said. "Just talking to him I can't help but think about the rabbit holes I'm going to go down to get ready for the role."
Franco is making his directorial debut with The Rental, which arrives this week via VOD and drive-ins in the States.