Pete Davidson (‘SNL’) to Portray Joey Ramone in New Netflix Biopic ‘I Slept with Joey Ramone’

Joey Ramone was a singular presence, a punk rock icon thanks to his body of work with the band Ramones and the legacy the NYC ensemble left behind — and Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson will portray Ramone in a new Netflix biopic, as announced on the 20th anniversary of Ramone’s passing on Thursday.

Per a news release, Netflix and STXfilms have partnered to develop and produce I Slept with Joey Ramone, a biopic chronicling the life of the king of punk.

The film draws its title from the book it is based on, from Mickey Leigh, Joey Ramone’s brother. Leigh’s memoir,  I Slept with Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir, was published in 2009 and the film adaptation features Leigh as an executive producer. Additionally, the film adaptation is being carried out with the full participation of Ramone’s estate.

Here’s a quote from Adam Fogelson, Chairman STXfilms Motion Picture Group: “When you share a bed with someone – and not just a bed, but a childhood, a family, and a lifetime – you know that person better than anybody else. Mickey Leigh not only collaborated with his big brother’s band – he has irreplaceable memories of and insights into Joey Ramone, having supported him when no one else would and witnessed him overcome adversity in the most dramatic way. I Slept with Joey Ramone is a great rock anthem that will make an equally great rock biopic, set apart by a universal story of family. Pete is perfect for this role and we’re excited he and Jason will be bringing this icon of rock to life and thrilled to be collaborating once again with our friends at Netflix.”

Director Jason Orley has worked with Davidson previously on the film Big Time Adolescence and the comedian’s Alive from New York Netflix comedy special.