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Emile Hirsch Says Miles Teller to Play Dan Aykroyd to His John Belushi

by Ethan Anderton
January 19, 2014
Source: THR

After leading the stellar opening night film at the 2014 Sundance FIlm Festival with the intense, jazz band drama Whiplash, actor Miles Teller has another promising role lined up. THR has word that The Spectacular Now star will play Dan Aykroyd in the biopic featuring Emile Hirsch as the late comedian John Belushi. The project was revealed last fall, and Hirsch won out a role that had several names in contention. At the time, Nelson Franklin ("New Girl") was up for the role, but Teller's rising star power and impressive acting abilities seem to have him winning out. However, Teller's reps say it's not a done deal yet.

Apparently Teller has an offer for the role, and while Hirsch revealed the news at a party for the Creative Coalition Saturday night, his agency says that he's not committing until after Sundance and his promotional tour for the sex comedy That Awkward Moment is completed. But if Hirsch spouted the news (with Teller present), it seems likely that he'll end up with the role. Teller has great dramatic and comedic sensibilities, so he'll be a great counterpart for Hirsch as Belushi during a time when the two were partners in comedy crime, and eventually went on to become the iconic Blues Brothers on "Saturday Night Live."

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty writer Steve Conrad is directing the film, but we hope it's a little less schmlatzy than that enjoyable but overly sentimental flick. It helps that the source material is the 2005 biography Belushi, formed with the loving hands of widow Judith Belushi Pisano and letters and interviews from the comedian's closest friends and collaborators. Honestly, I can't wait to see Hirsch and Teller don the suits and shades and bring these comedy icons to life. How about you?

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