The highly-anticipated Chris Cornell biopic Black Days – which will detail the Soundgarden fr0ntman’s final days – set to begin filming next month, but it has now been revealed the film was not “approved” by the late artist’s estate.
A representative for the Chris Cornell Estate told Pitchfork that the film had not been “not sanctioned or approved by the estate.” The rep added, “No one contacted the estate for any information.”
The biopic is being produced by Road Rage Films LLC/Amerifilms LLC, and according to Backstage it will focus on “true events about the last days in the life of grunge music icon Chris Cornell.”
The role of Cornell is set to be played by actor John Holiday, who previously starred in the Oscar-winning Johnny Cash biopic Walk The Line as Carl Perkins.
Last year, it was also announced that Brad Pitt was producing a documentary about Cornell that would be directed by Peter Berg, with the involvement of Cornell’s widow Vicky.
It comes following the release of Seattle music critic Corbin Reiff’s biography of Cornell’s life, which looks back at his career beginnings, the legacy of Soundgarden, Cornell’s solo career and his time in Audioslave.
The biography is called Total F*cking Godhead – The Biography Of Chris Cornell and was released on July 28, around the time Cornell would have been 56 years old.
To commemorate the occasion, the Cornell estate released a previously unheard cover of “Patience” by Guns ‘N Roses which was recorded in 2016.
“His birthday seemed the perfect time to share this and celebrate Chris, his voice, music, stories and art,” Vicky Cornell said, in a statement.
“Releasing music that was special to Chris keeps a part of him here with us — his heart and his soul. His love and his legacy.”
The legendary rocker died in a Detroit hotel room following a Soundgarden show in 2017 at the age of 52.
