I have a feeling that an upcoming string of films about musicians is on the way. After 'Ray' (which I thought was fantastic) and 'Walk the Line' (a complete crap-fest), a movie depicting the life of Ian Curtis is in production, which I think is well deserved; not a Joy Division fan, but nonetheless. The Jimi film has been stalled again and again and it seems it will never get off the ground.
So, if Hollywood is going to be taking us down the musical history lane, what artists do you feel films should be made about?
I only have two at the moment: Robert Johnson and James Brown.

First off, I thought Walk the Line was very good, better than Ray.

Now, on the topic of who they should do next. Frankly, I think they should do some more work barring up the floodgates on this trend. Walk the Line and Ray already felt contrived to me (although I enjoyed them both) and if the "brilliant musician works hard to overcome such-and-such a problem (usually drugs)" plot frame continues, I'm probably already gonna be sick of it by the time the next one of these movies. But there's got to be some conflict, right? This is what I was telling my mom when she told me about them thinking of a Miles Davis biopic: sure, Miles Davis led an interesting, productive life, but where's the conflict? Sure, they could do his 50's heroin addiction, but what's the point? I could just go watch Ray again, couldn't I? Miles Davis's life is more suited to a book than a movie, if you ask me (I haven't read his autobiography yet, but I plan to, so really I wouldn't know for sure). Of course, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson, and Ian Curtis obviously defy this cliché, their films would not have happy endings. All in all, I'm fine with making more biopics, but they have to choose who they do carefully, and make sure there's something that can make such a movie unique.
Of everyone you mentioned, I think Robert Johnson would make the best, but the way I'm envisioning it, it'd be very unvonventional. He's such a legend that people remember him more like a character in a story than a human being, I'd rather set my Robert Johnson movie with this in mind than just make another by-the-numbers birth-to-death story. I don't know, maybe have him be the main character through an indirect way, maybe through a different person's viewpoint. I'm not sure exactly how I think this should be done, all I know is that for these to keep succeeding, they've got to do something different.

i disagree with you on the Miles bit. maybe there isn't a huge obstacle that was constantly hindering him, but that doesn't make him any less interesting. Miles is legendary as much for his style, attitude, and mystique as his innovations. he also was never a virtuosic player, but still managed to become very successful with his intimate and tasteful tone, never mind the handful of times he completed revolutionized jazz.

personally, i would find a Miles biopic intriguing -- aimed at giving life to the enigma and his escapades through american music.

i thought it was stalled too but then i saw a copy of a hendrix movie for sale a while back. lots of no name actors, might have just been a direct to DVD release.

Yeah, I've seen that around, I think you're right.

Yeah, there was a Jimi film done a few years back, but Al didn't give consent to the use of Jimi's music; so, the film is riddled with other artists' music. It's not a terrible film, but the music aspect completely takes away from it, and in that regard should not have been made.
Apparently, this is also the case with the new film. Al, who runs the estate, has refused use of the music for the film. From what I've heard, Al fears that the movie will highlight too severely Jimi's drug and alcohol use. I guess he doesn't want his son's legacy stained by what most people already know: Jimi used drugs. The last time Al allowed the use of Jimi's music for film (and soundtrack) was for Scorsese's seven film documentary series 'The Blues'.
The film is being pushed for completion by its directors the Hughes Brothers, and by Andre3000, who has signed up to play Jimi.

ahh right on. thanks for the clarification hehehee i'll know to avoid picking up the already released movie.

I agree, there will be many more movies comming out about musicians (particularly those who have passed). I thought the movie Ray was great! Walk The Line was OK but the main focus in the movie was Johnny's obsession for June Carter. I feel they left out many things that happened to him over the years and elaborated on the whole love theme. Last Days about Kurt Cobain was interesting and I actually thought it was a good movie but the entire thing is a fictional hypothesis based on what Gus Van Sant thought he did in the last few days of his life. 8 Mile about Eminem was really good. Many rappers such as 50 Cent and T.I are trying to follow in his footsteps by making movies about their claim to fame but I doubt they will have as much success.
I'm guessing a redo on the life of Jimi Hendrix will appear. I like Andre3000 but I don't think he looks, sounds, or can act like Jimi. They need to get a great actor with a deep voice who has practically mastered the guitar. Also possibly one about John Lennon and maybe the entire Beatles british invasion for that matter will appear. They should do one about Kurt Cobain and his entire life, maybe baseing it off the novel Heavier Than Heaven.

Good call on Walk the Line. I was trying to pinpoint why I really didn't like it (almost to the point of disgust), and now I realize: the focus was on Johnny and June Carter. I love Johnny Cash (on the day he died, all of my buddies gathered at our bar - a request bar where I DJ - and played a solid hour of Johnny tunes), but I really think Walk the Line is dire.
As for Andre3000, I figure they could really do him up to look like Jimi; his side profile is quite similar. Fox looked a lot like Ray because, well, Fox is a fantastic talent who got the look down, as well as the moves; I don't think Phoenix looked anything like Johnny, but his movements were spot on. If Andre3000 does his homework and has good direction, I think he could pull off the part.
I also agree on a Lennon film, and an entire Beatles film (I wonder if they could practice poetic license and let John live and have Paul assasinated instead...).
A Cobain film would come too soon if it were done now. No doubt that Nirvana made an impact on music, but whether their music will actually endure is something else to consider. Give it another ten years, when Nirvana interest has died down, to release a film to respark the love.
As for those rappers, I personally don't give a shit what their lives were like. Many of them grew up to continue the violence they apparently endured when they were kids. Losers. 8 Mile? Eminem is about as interesting as a heart attack.

Oh and another movie I forgot to mention- Selena. I know I'm honestly not a big fan of her music but I thought it was a good movie and I actually cried at the end "Dreaming of you" was playing in the backround while her family was crying in the hospital. IMO Jennifer Lopez is a better actress then she is a singer.
I would love to see a movie based on the Pink Floyd legacy. One about Led Zepplin would be amazing too. I feel that movie producers are looking to make movies based on famous influential artists who were blown away by a mixture of fame, drugs and self loathing. I guess thats what classifys these movies into the drama, heartbreaking, Oscar nominee genre.