Oscar winning actor and singer Jamie Foxx is set to play another musical part, following his acclaimed performance as pianist Ray Charles in the blockbuster movie 'Ray'.
Directed by Joe Wright, Foxx will play the part of a homeless musician with schizophrenia who dreams of playing at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The film, called 'The Soloist' is adapted from the real-life story of a friendship between precociously talented violinist Nathaniel Anthony Ayers and LA Times columnist Steve Lopez.
Lopez wrote a twelve-part series of articles in his paper, that will form the basis for the script after seeing Ayres playing his violin near a statue of Beethoven. The response to the articles was huge, with readers donating many instruments while the columnist helped Ayres secure an apartment where he now records music.
Funded by Dreamworks, the new movie is expected to begin filming in January of next year.