Johnny Carson Biopic In The Works

Heeeeeeerrrrrreeee's Johnny...or at least a facsimile of him is coming to the big screen.

Based upon the upcoming Bill Zehme book "Carson The Magnificent: An Intimate Portrait," John McLaughlin and producer Tom Thayer have teamed up with the estate of Johnny Carson on a feature film about the life of the beloved "Tonight Show" host.

The film will be scripted by McLaughlin ("Black Swan") who recently adapted the Sacha Gervasi-directed "Hitchcock" from Steve Rebello's book, which stars Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren. Thayer will produce the Carson project, and together they will shop the script to buyers right after the holidays.

Zehme was the only journalist Carson spoke to after his retirement, including an Esquire cover story about how Carson marked the 10th anniversary of abdicating the late-night throne. Considering that Carson was the King of Late Night TV, and was in so many American homes on a daily basis, was rather a private man off the screen. His life became full of intrigue and controversy only because no one had prime-time access to him once he retired. Plus considering how many of the current crop of late-night talking heads idolize him, Carson certainly has an enduring legacy that would be great on the silver screen.

Is it too early to begin speculating about who might play Johnny Carson and his affable right-hand man, Ed McMahon? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Props: Deadline