John Legend‘s Get Lifted production company has just inked a deal to produce a feature film about the late comedian Bernie Mac. Legend’s business partner, Mike Jackson, broke the news during the 2021 Tribeca Festival on Thursday (June 10).

“We just partnered with Bernie Mac’s estate to cover Bernie Mac’s story” said Jackson. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the pair quickly clarified that the arrangement between the company and the estate would yield a feature film biopic.

Jackson goes on to state: “You have to remember, Bernie didn’t hit until he was in his 40’s. So Bernie was [really a grounded man]. He was working for UPS, he was doing whatever kind of job he could get to take care of his family while chasing his dream”. Jackson closes his statement by calling Mac an inspiration who never gave up.

Legend, who co-stared with Mac in his final film Soul Men, revisited memories of working with Mac on set. “He truly just got joy from lighting people’s faces up with laughter… His humor was always edgy but it always had so much heart to it at the same time. You could tell he was a family man. You could tell that he loved the people he was talking about.”

See part of the discussion in the video above.

There is no word yet on casting and release dates, but one of the daughters of the late King of Comedy has a few actors in mind. TMZ caught up with Je’Niece McCullough to ask who she would like to portray her father. Her choices included A-lister Aldis Hodge and YouTube star Mark Philips. Jay Pharoah has also been shooting his shot by posting videos to Instagram of himself impersonating Mac.

More details to come as the story develops.