Entertainment and the George Jones estate announced today that they have brought on board writer/producer Alan Wenkus (STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON) to fast-track development of their George Jones authorized biopic NO SHOW JONES, which tells the life story of the country music legend. Wenkus is finalizing the script after doing extensive research, conducting dozens of interviews and working closely with George’s widow Nancy Jones, who is an executive producer on the film. 28 Entertainment’s Brian A. Hoffman along with the original writer, Dennis Baxter, are producing the project.
The film’s story is primarily focused on Jones’ rise in country music from the 1950’s to the 1970’s, his legendary struggles with drinking and substance abuse, his turbulent 7-year marriage with singer Tammy Wynette and his marriage to Nancy Jones, who George credited with saving him from his demons.
The producers spent many hours with George in his later years. George Jones died in 2013 at the age of 81.
“We are very excited about moving into the next phase of bringing George’s remarkable life to the big screen. We are thrilled that so many talented people have shown a great deal of interest in this project,” said 28 Entertainment’s Hoffman.
“George Jones literally saved country music when rock and roll almost swallowed it up. He had such an entertaining life. It’s got it all. Love, loss, redemption and a lot of whiskey…basically everything George was singing about,” added Wenkus.
Wenkus is well known for his extensive research while writing the COMPTON script for director F. Gary Gray.
Known as “No-Show Jones” and “The Possum,” George Jones was arguably best-known for ballads like “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “She Thinks I Still Care” that went beyond heartbreaking by his emotional and moving performances. But George also had a fun side to his personality that would pop up in sunnier songs like “White Lightning” and “The Race Is On.”
The amazing success of the George Jones Museum which opened in downtown Nashville on April 23rd of this year has brought new attention to the country music legend that had an unprecedented collection of top 10 hits that spanned 6 decades.
Jones was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992, named a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2008 and in 2012 was presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award. Along with his induction into the Country Music Hall Of Fame he received countless other awards and accolades from ACM, CMA, Country Music Television, and of course, The Grand Ole Opry.
About 28 Entertainment
28 Entertainment is a Los Angeles-based film production and finance company founded in 2008. Currently, the company is developing NO SHOW JONES, the story of iconic country singer George Jones. In addition, 28 Entertainment has acquired the rights to the New York Times bestseller, CODE NAME: JOHNNY WALKER and is currently developing it into a major feature film.
28 Entertainment has a full slate of projects underway for 2015-16.
# # #
Suggested Tweet:
.@alanwenkus to pen @28_ent #NoShowJones – the #biopic of country music legend #GeorgeJones (@gjpossum)