Anthony Mackie set to portray Jimi Hendrix in 'Jimi' biopic

For several years there have been multiple attempts to effectively capture the life and career of the late iconic Jimi Hendrix. The process has been proven difficult, not only due to figuring out how to show the crucial moments in his career, but also due to trying to gain the Hendrix estate's blessing. One such project, with Andre 3000 cast as Jimi Hendrix, recently moved forward without the approval of the estate, and as a result was banned from using any of Jimi Hendrix's original songs.

Recently, however, a new project named Jimi was announced with Anthony Mackie to star as the rocker, and this time it looks like it has the blessing of the Hendrix estate. Reportedly announced at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, Jimi will star Anthony Mackie as Hendrix and Thandie Newton in an unknown role, with Newton's husband Ol Parker in the director's chair. Noomi Rapace is in talks to portray Jimi Hendrix's girlfriend Kathy Etchingham. 

Jimi has actually been in the works for several years, but is finally hitting the ground running and is set to begin production soon. When Jimi first began, the project was originally titled Crosstown Traffic and had Paul Greengrass directing. The Jimi Hendrix estate originally halted production with the project by objecting to the way the script portrayed Jimi Hendrix. Thankfully those objections seem to have been dealt with and the biopic has moved forward again.

I'll go ahead and admit, I am not that familiar with the life and music of Jimi Hendrix. After first hearing about Jimi, however, I went and looked up all of his songs on iTunes. In doing so I've become more and more interested in his music and in the biopic. It'll be interesting to see how well Anthony Mackie will portray the late, great Jimi Hendrix. Anthony's a great actor, so I have no doubt he could do justice to the role.

Sources: Screen Rant , Shadow and Act