A Jimi Hendrix film without any of the iconic rocker's music may seem like a sure way to create a flop, but the first trailer for "Jimi: All Is By My Side" still manages to captivate.
Starring André Benjamin, better known as André 3000 of the band Outkast, as Jimi, the film takes a look at Hendrix's career in 1966 and '67 in London, just before he became the legendary rocker we all know today. Benjamin looks to truly embody Hendrix in the short trailer and judging from the footage the film, in true Hendrix fashion, promises to be trippy.
If you have any doubt about the film's potential, you don't have to look any further than "Jimi"s writer and director John Ridley. Ridley won an Oscar for writing "12 Years a Slave." Though it ultimately didn't win, that film was also a strong contender for "Best Picture."
The biggest hurdle the film faces is convincing moviegoers to watch a movie about one of the most iconic rockstars of all time without including any of his actual music. This falls in with the film's story, of course. Because the movie is about Jimi in London from '66 and '67, it is actually taking place before the release of Jimi's first hit album "Are You Experienced." Instead, the film will use Benjamin renditions of Hendrix covers from those years, featuring songs like "Wild Thing" and "Bleeding Heart."
Speaking with Rolling Stone, film producer Sean McKittrick says because of the period during which the film takes place, they never sought permission from the Hendrix estate to use Hendrix's music. Experience Hendrix LLC, run by Hendrix's sister, manages the estate and owns all rights to Hendrix's music.
"This is the story of Jimi being discovered as a backup musician and how he went to London and became Jimi Hendrix," McKittrick says.
Though a spokesperson from Experience Hendrix told Rolling Stone that making a Jimi Hendrix movie without Jimi Hendrix music "would be like making a movie about Lincoln without being able to use the Gettysburg Address," the film creators don't seem too concerned. If the film's characterization of Jimi and the story are strong enough, maybe fans shouldn't be concerned about the lack of music either.
Talking about Benjamin as Jimmy, McKittrick has only positive things to say.
"He speaks and walks like Jimi," McKittrick says. "He dropped a ton of weight. The transformation has been amazing." You can see for yourself when "Jimi: All Is By My Side" hits theaters later this year on Sept. 26. Watch the trailer below:
