R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe recently shared his thoughts on who he’d want to portray him in a potential biopic about the iconic band. He revealed his surprising choice during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The discussion arose when Stipe was asked about the possibility of a R.E.M. biopic and his casting preferences.
When asked “There are a lot of biopics out there of musicians. Would you want a biopic about you guys? Who would you want to play you?”, Stipe responded with an unexpected answer.
“There isn’t. That’s a such a good question. Someone really hot. Maybe Billie Eilish could do it,” Stipe said.
The R.E.M. frontman then shared a personal encounter he had with the Grammy-winning artist.
“She held a door open for me once at a restaurant in Manhattan. I don’t know if she knew who I was,” he continued. “She’s incredibly polite and sweet, but I didn’t I didn’t know who she was until she was down the street. I would love to meet her.”
Stipe’s appearance on Colbert’s show was part of a broader promotional effort for his upcoming solo career. This marks a significant milestone for the legendary musician.
Stereogum reported that Stipe debuted his new song “The Rest of Ever” during the same interview and discussed his first solo album. The performance marked a rare television appearance for the typically private artist, who has been largely out of the spotlight since R.E.M. disbanded in 2011.
The timing of Stipe’s television appearance coincides with his announcement about his upcoming solo work. Brooklyn Vegan noted that Stipe revealed his solo album will be released at the end of the year. This represents his first major musical project since R.E.M.’s dissolution.
When Colbert pressed Stipe about his connection to Billie Eilish, the conversation revealed the casual nature of their brief encounter. The host’s inquiry about whether they had spent time together highlighted the spontaneous and genuine nature of Stipe’s casting suggestion. This made it clear that his choice was based more on admiration than personal friendship.
The biopic discussion reflects the current trend in Hollywood of creating films about iconic musicians and bands. Stipe’s playful yet thoughtful response to the casting question demonstrates his awareness of the entertainment industry’s fascination with musical biopics. His specific mention of Eilish suggests a genuine appreciation for the younger artist’s talent and persona.
