The life of country music legend George Jones will be the subject of a film, his widow Nancy Jones and 28 Entertainment confirmed on Tuesday.
The announcement comes less than two months after his death at the age of 81 on April 26 in Nashville. He began performing professionally in the late 1940s and produced a string of hit singles in the 1950s and 1960s. He scored more hits in the 1980s, particularly with the Grammy-winning single “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” In total, he scored 14 No. 1 singles on the country charts and had 150 charting singles.
According to The Wrap, 28 Entertainment secured the rights to the project, which will be written by Dennis L. Baxter. 28 Entertainment’s Jay Hoffman and Brian A. Hoffman and Baxter will produce. Nancy, who said that Baxter worked closely with her and Jones before his death, has signed on to be an executive producer and consultant.
“Over the years we have been approached to make George’s life into a feature film, but it was not until Dennis Baxter became involved that we were confident the story could be told accurately,” Nancy said in a statement, notes THR. “George and I started working with Dennis six years ago in crafting the life-long story. Knowing George had input in this film and that it will be told the way he wanted it told, I feel we are in good hands to collaborate with 28 Entertainment as we move forward with production.”
The film will focus on Jones’ public battles with addiction and how he fell in love with Nancy.
Hoffman commented, “George’s career is one of the most celebrated of country music legends, and we feel it is important to tell his story for fans and music lovers around the world. We are huge fans of George and his music and look forward to working closely with Nancy as we bring his life to the big screen.”
Jones’ life was celebrated at a public funeral at the Grand Ole Opry. The event was attended by several of country music’s biggest stars, many of whom also performed.