RichLion Productions owned by former Commodores singer Lionel L Ritchie has reportedly acquired rights needed from the Curtis Mayfield Estate in order to bring a biopic of the legendary musician’s career to film.
(Wiki)Curtis Mayfield first achieved success and recognition with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the late 1950s and 1960s, and later worked as a solo artist. He is a 2-time Grammy Hall of Fame inductee: for the song People Get Ready with the Impressions, and for the award-winning album Super Fly as a solo artist.
Following the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, his group the Impressions produced music that became the soundtrack to a summer of revolution. It is even said that “Keep On Pushing” became the number one sing along during the Freedom Rides. Black students sang their songs as they marched to jail or protested outside their universities, while King often used “Keep On Pushing”, “People Get Ready” and “We’re A Winner” because of their ability to motivate and inspire marchers. Mayfield was unique in his ability to fuse relevant social commentary with melodies and lyrics that instilled a hopefulness for a better future in his listeners.