It was announced that William Hurt will take on the role of singer Gregg Allman in the upcoming film Midnight Rider.

The biopic being is being made by Unclaimed Freight Productions’ Randall Miller and Jody Savin. Savin told The Hollywood Reporter, “William Hurt actually helped start Randy’s career years ago. He made an anonymous monetary donation to Randy’s AFI thesis film. And when his identity was revealed, he even agreed to do the voiceover on the film.”

The movie discusses Gregg Allman's journey from struggling artist through the formation and success of The Allman Brothers Band, and Gregg Allman's realization at 64 that he has to get sober or risk losing his life. “Midnight Rider” was one of the band’s first successful songs.

According to Variety, Allman underwent a liver transplant in 2010 and continues to perform at the age of 65. Open Road Films will be handling the U.S. domestic release and the Exchange will handle international sales on the film.

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