The script for Done It All, a biopic on the life of Merle Haggard, has been optioned by a production company following the famed country singer’s death two weeks ago.
According to Deadline, GMH productions has optioned the film, named for one of Haggard’s songs, from Cinderella Man writer Cliff Hollingsworth and Haggard’s friend Carl Cooper, whom the singer had asked to help develop the project prior to his death. Haggard was initially approached by producer Donald Kushner about making a film based on his life. It was Kushner who tapped Hollingsworth to write the film.
Haggard, an essential figure in the history of country music, died on his 79th birthday, April 6, 2016. He had been hospitalized earlier this year for pneumonia.
Done It All will reportedly cover Haggard’s impoverished childhood, early life of crime — he served time in San Quentin prison for armed robbery — and subsequent country music career. According to the report, the script is complete and will now go out to actors and directors.