Who is Weird Al? Daniel Radcliffe set to appear in biopic of iconic comedy song parodist in new movie Weird

Daniel Radcliffe has traded the wand and wizarding cape for a perm and accordion; though the glasses still remain on his face. The former Harry Potter actor is the lead in the upcoming “loose” biopic of iconic musical parodist “Weird” Al Yankovic in the upcoming film Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

The film, based on the “true” (ahem) story of Alfred Matthew Yankovic tells the story of Weird Al’s rise from a simple polka player with an accordion looking to make it big in the music industry to pop culture icon. Directed by Eric Appel, making his directorial debut, the film’s incredible calibre of cast members is a testament to the long lasting appeal the 63 year old entertainer has.

Alongside Daniel Radcliffe playing the titular character are Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna, The Office’s Rainn Wilson as Dr. Demento - the radio host who gave Weird Al his first break - alongside heavyweights Jack Black, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Conan O’Brien and former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Nina West.

Speaking to the Toronto Star ahead of the film’s debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, Radcliffe admitted to reporters that “The tone of the film is one of the more particularly strange ones I’ve done. It’s a biopic, but not really because very quickly it turns into something much more insane than that. I’ve played a lot of real people before, both living and dead, but this is the first time I’ve ever played someone that I’m kind of a fan of coming into it.”

“I think me and Al are both quite sincere, earnest people and what you see is what you get. We both really have an appreciation for weird and the fact that we get to do these jobs and the fact that somebody’s paying us both to do the things that we love, I think, gives us a real appreciation for how incredibly lucky we are to be doing that.”

Who is “Weird” Al Yankovic?

Al Yankovic is best known for creating comedy songs that make light of pop culture and often parody specific songs by contemporary musicians. He also performs original songs that are style pastiches of the work of other acts, as well as polka medleys of several popular songs, most of which feature his trademark accordion. He became a fixture of 80s pop culture, with his trademark glasses, perm and garish short sleeved shirts, MTV welcomed Yankovic with open arms when music videos became the new big thing.