An acclaimed Hollywood director has said that he wants to make a film inspired by the life of Paul Reubens, the Jewish comedian and actor behind Pee Wee Herman,
Reubens, who became a pop culture phenomenon, died aged 70 last month after a battle with cancer.
And now director Eric Appel has his sights set on exploring the life and career of the comedy icon.
Appel was involved in the production of WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story, a biopic of Reuben’s close friend and music Al Jankovic.
Speaking on Wednesday, Appel said: “You know, I feel like Paul Reubens - an actual Paul Reubens biopic [needs made]... I feel like that's a story that people would really love.”
Reuben was born to Jewish parents in Peekskill, New York in 1952, and was raised in Sarasota, Florida before turning to acting in his late twenties, making his debut in Pray TV, a satirical film about Christian televangelism in 1981.
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Actor Paul Reubens attends the premiere of "Pee-wee's Big Holiday" in 2016 (Photo: Getty)
He went on to create the Pee-wee Herman character, an overgrown child with a tight gray suit and an unforgettable laugh, in the late 1970s.
Reubens also made several feature films and had a CBS Saturday morning children's TV show called Pee-wee Herman's Playhouse.
Reubens said in a statement released with the announcement of his death: "Please accept my apology for not going public with what I've been facing the last six years.
"I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you."
Paying tribute on Instagram at the time of his death earlier this month, Yankovic said: "What a dear, sweet man.
“He was always so lovely to me and my family, and we’re all so enormously sad today.
“The world lost an icon, and I lost an old friend. We love you, Paul."
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Jorma Taccone (Photo: Getty)
Asked who he wanted to play Reubens, Appel said he would like to get actor Jorma Taccone, who is not Jewish, to take on the role.
He previously starred as the Pee-wee Herman character in WEIRD and is one-third of the sketch comedy troupe The Lonely Island, with childhood friends Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer.
Meanwhile, Appel’s directing credits include Eagleheart, The Office, New Girl, Selfie, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Son of Zorn, and Die Hart.
