Marc Abraham will direct the film, which features a script he wrote, based on the Williams biography by Colin Escott. The film, which will feature Hiddleston singing such Williams standards as "Your Cheatin' Heart," "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Hey Good Lookin'," will tell the story of Williams' rapid rise to fame and the price that fame took on his personal life.
Hiddleston won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Newcomer in a Play for his role in Cymbeline; he was also nominated for the same award the same year for his role of Cassio in Othello. His stage credits include The Changeling, Ivanov and The Children's Monologues. He has starred in "The Avengers," "Thor," "War Horse" and "Midnight in Paris."
Production will begin in Louisiana in October. Aaron L. Gilbert will produce, with Brett Ratner, G. Marq Rosell and Abraham. Ratner's partner, James Packer, will be the executive producer.
