The Sam Cooke 'Murder Mystery' Biopic Already Has Controversy

The Sam Cooke murder-mystery biopic that was originally considered authorized just hit a snag. Family members now say that, on the contrary, they have no involvement in the movie’s production.

The biopic intended to focus on Cooke’s mysterious death in 1964. But according to Rolling Stone, the singer’s relatives had been collaborating on a film of their own with ABKCO Films. Their version is reportedly based on the book Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke, by Peter Guralnick, and will be directed by Carl Franklin.

Members of Cooke’s family said in a statement:

“Recent media reports about a proposed biographical film on the life of Sam Cooke and L.C. Cooke’s purported involvement with the project are false. ABKCO Films is the only company authorized by Sam Cooke’s widow and surviving siblings to produce a biopic of Sam Cooke’s life.”

The other film’s producer Romeo Antonio claims the family approved of it before production. Sam Cooke’s younger brother L.C. Cooke denies this, saying:

“Reports that I am involved with or have endorsed any Sam Cooke film biography other than the one that ABKCO Films is producing are totally false. I have been working with ABKCO for many years and am looking forward to bringing Sam’s story to the public in the near future.”

Antonio says his movie has the support of Cooke’s brother David, his ex-sister-in-law Phyllis and his nephew Eugene.

Ugh, let’s end this on a more positive note with one of my favorite Sam Cooke goodies ever, first heard courtesy of my dad’s old vinyls.