The highly anticipatedChris Farleybiopic continues to gain momentum. Its director,Josh Gad, recently shared new details surrounding the project at the Toronto International Film Festival, asEntertainment Weeklyreported. "It's ambitious as hell," Gad, 44, toldEWon Saturday, September 6. "We're trying to rein in the budget a little, and the plan is still to shoot early next year." The Book of Mormonalum is in Toronto to promote his new neo-noir filmAdulthood, directed by Alex Winter (ofBill & Ted's Excellent Adventurefame). The film is set to starPaul Walter Hauser, who is now five years older than the iconic comedian was when he died. "I don't wanna be 42 years old playing Chris at 25,"Hauser, 38, recently toldEW, in noting his eagerness to start the project. "I, too, don't want Paul to get too much older [to play him]," Gad toldEWon Saturday, adding that he believes they will start filming in the first quarter of 2026. Gad continued, "I'm in the midst of going through the script right now with the studio, who's been incredibly supportive about finding those things that can reduce it to a greenlight-able budget because, right now, it's a period piece, it's a biopic, it's just super big, and we're just working towards doing this to it, and I think we're getting there." Farley became aSaturday Night Livestaple ever since he graced the Emmy-winning comedy sketch show in 1990. He was known for portraying standout characters such as Matt Foley, GAP Girl Cindy, Bennett Brauer and Barney, asEWnoted. Farley died at the age of 33 in December 1997 from a drug overdose. Earlier this summer,Pete DavidsonjoinedTonight Showand shared with hostJimmy Fallonafun fact he learned about the late comedian— that there's a little plaque backstage at theSNLset that reads, "Watch Your Head, Farley." It's clear that the icon's legacy continues to live on in more ways than one. This story was originally reported byParadeon Sep 7, 2025, where it first appeared in theNewssection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.
