John Belushi biopic gets director Steve Conrad w/ Emile Hirsch & Joaquin Phoenix in talks for movie about 'Saturday Night Live' & 'Animal House' legend

After a number of director changes on the project, the John Belushi biopic film project has acquired writer Steve Conrad to helm the movie. Conrad, who wrote the film and worked with Hangover director Todd Phillips on the project when the latter was attached to direct, has reportedly met with actors Emile Hirsch, Joaquin Phoenix, and Workaholics star Adam Devine for the leading role. Nelson Franklin (Veep, New Girl) is reportedly up for the role of Dan Akroyd.

Sources have claimed that the meetings with Hirsch and Devine have already happened whereas Phoenix's name was just really thrown around. Meanwhile, Akroyd and Belushi's widow, Judy Belushi Pisano, are both executive producers on this project.

Do you think Hirsch would be a good fit for the iconic, gone-too-soon comedian known for his roles in Animal House, The Blues Brothers, and Saturday Night Live? Would you prefer to see Joaquin Phoenix in the role or perhaps a lesser-known actor like Adam Devine?

The Hollywood Reporter broke this story. The website reports:

This isn't the first attempt to bring Belushi's life to the screen. Michael Chiklis portrayed him in the 1989 adaptation of the Bob Woodward book Wired, which reportedly was boycotted by Belushi's friends and family.

Check the trailer for Wired right here:

This time around, Belushi's family members have given their blessings on the project.

Steve Conrad also wrote The Weather Man, The Pursuit of Happyness, The Promotion, and the upcoming film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, which hits theaters this Christmas.