Adam Pearson is making historical past twice over. The “A Totally different Man” star and “Below the Pores and skin” breakout actor is ready to guide the movie adaptation of Bernard Pomerance’s Tony-winning play “The Elephant Man.” Pearson would be the first in a different way abled actor to star as Joseph Merrick; this additionally would be the first movie model of Pomerance’s play. (David Lynch’s 1980 movie of the identical identify was based mostly on Merrick’s life however had no direct relation to the play, and truly led to a lawsuit over the title.)
Selection first reported Pearson’s casting.
“Joseph Merrick is a person I’ve an extended and complicated relationship with,” Pearson mentioned in a press release. “From having his identify used as a time period of derision to studying in regards to the man himself in documentaries I’ve offered. It’s been a cathartic journey of rising to like and respect a person who I as a baby I averted even fascinated by. Now as a incapacity advocate and actor, I can consider no higher honor (but heavy duty) than to inform the true story of Joseph Carey Merrick.”
“The Elephant Man” shall be written by playwright Pomerance’s son, Moby Pomerance. The shoot will start in spring 2026.
Eve Pomerance, who’s producing the movie, added, “My father by no means needed prosthetics for use on stage as he felt it took the viewers out of the story. He needed them to empathize absolutely with Merrick, to see themselves in him. Strains like, ‘I’m not an animal, I’m a person’ which have grow to be synonymous with the play, will tackle higher that means with Adam telling this story and allow the viewers to lastly stand in Merrick’s sneakers. My father could be past excited to see his dream changing into a actuality.”
“The Elephant Man” relies on the diaries of Dr. Frederick Treves, who was Merrick’s doctor. The play spans Merrick’s time on the London Hospital. The play first ran on the West Finish in London in 1977. Bradley Cooper, David Bowie, Billy Crudup, Mark Hamill, Philip Anglum, and David Schofield have all portrayed Merrick onstage.
“The Elephant Man” shall be produced by Stephen Nemeth for Rhino Movies and Eve Pomerance for Main Movement Photos.