Je’Niece McCallough, daughter of comedy legend Bernie Mac, has expressed her preference for Aldis Hodge to portray her father in the upcoming Aldis Hodge Bernie Mac biopic. The film, produced by John Legend’s Get Lifted production company in collaboration with Bernie Mac’s estate, aims to bring the life story of the late comedian to the screen.
Production Details and Industry Insight
Mike Jackson, John Legend’s producing partner, revealed during a 2021 Tribeca Festival panel that the partnership with Bernie Mac’s estate to tell his story had just been formed. According to The Hollywood Reporter, this news was newly disclosed and apparently unknown to John Legend himself, with all involved parties showing great enthusiasm for the project.
Aldis Hodge’s Qualifications for the Role
Je’Niece praised Aldis Hodge, known for his roles in Leverage and Hidden Figures, calling him a
“great actor with a similar complexion to Bernie.”
Hodge’s experience includes portraying real-life figures such as MC Ren in Straight Outta Compton and NFL star Jim Brown in Regina King’s One Night in Miami, highlighting his capacity to convincingly embody iconic personalities.
Alternative Casting Considerations and Uncertainty
Alongside Hodge, Je’Niece also mentioned comedian Mark Phillips as an unconventional choice to represent Bernie Mac. Phillips, a frequent contributor to the RDCworld1 YouTube channel, is recognized for his impressions of LeBron James and his creative photo recreations of famous album covers from artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar. The full casting choices remain unconfirmed as the biopic’s production details are still emerging.
Looking Ahead to the Biopic’s Development
With the family’s involvement and Get Lifted’s backing, anticipation builds around how closely the biopic will follow the estate’s wishes. As the project unfolds, fans and industry observers alike await further announcements to see how Bernie Mac’s legacy will be portrayed through this film.
We just partnered with Bernie Mac’s estate to cover [his] story,
Mike Jackson, Producing Partner
something that John doesn’t know about yet,
Mike Jackson, Producing Partner
great actor with a similar complexion to Bernie.
Je’Niece McCallough, Daughter of Bernie Mac
