Posted in: Movies | Tagged: ben timlett, bill jones, graham chapman, john cleese, michael palin, monty python, terry jones

Monty Python Reunite (Well, Except One) For Graham Chapman Non-Biopic

It's been over twenty years since the premature death of Monty Python Graham Chapman in 1989 from cancer. But now his fellow Pythons are determined to bring Chapman back to the attention of a generation that has missed his wit through an animation of his 'fanciful' autobiography A Liar's Autobiography: Volume VI. Not only that, Chapman will be presented Dead in 3D, they say.

The New York Times revealed that the possibly entitled Graham Chapman – Dead in 3D will be produced and directed by Bill Jones (son of Python Terry), Ben Timlett and Jeff Simpson. Fifteen animation companies will work on chapters, ranging from 3 to 12 minutes in length, each in a different style. Jeff Simpson told the paper that "Creatively, the different styles reflect the stages in Graham's life".

The film is expected to be about 85 minutes long and should be finished next spring for a release in theatres in the UK and a TV release in the US. John Cleese will play himself, engaged in a conversation with Chapman while on an epic bike ride. Michael Palin will play Chapman's father and Terry Jones would mimic his mother. Terry Gilliam is voicing several roles. Eric Idle has yet to sign up.*

Chapman's own voice will be matched with the animation. Jeff Simpson described the project:

Graham's is the story of a man who was openly gay but secretly alcoholic. This is not the story of Monty Python, it is a man's life.

Meanwhile, Terry Jones elaborated:

The film shouldn't be made. There isn't a single word of truth in it.

Brendon's note: There's just one Python missing, and it isn't even the dead one. What does this tell us about Eric Idle, I wonder? Nothing I wasn't already assuming.

The following video features Chapman reading from the book. It's actually very accurate, as well as being funny.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR4FBePcacU[/youtube]

UPDATE: And I added the bit about Gilliam that Kate left out.

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