Michael Flatley is set to open up about his fallout with Riverdance in a new biopic about his legendary life and dance career.
DanceLord will be a new series by UK-based Story First Entertainment which will be an unprecedented look into the life of one of the most famous dancers on the planet, and the incredible journey from the drainage ditches of Chicago to worldwide fame and success.
The project is backed by industry stars and Flatley himself. Rod Gunner and Peter Gerwe are Executive Producing for StoryFirst Entertainment alongside Flatley, in conjunction with Ben Rosenblatt and Micho Rutare, through their American Meme banner.
READ MORE: Michael Flatley gives health update as he walks red carpet for first time since cancer diagnosis
Jessica Sherman, Casting Director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Trek Into Darkness, Super 8 and Willow is starting the process of casting the lead role of Michael.
Gary Marenzi, one of the main forces behind Stargate, NCIS, Vikings, Killing Eve and more, is handling the global content.
According to producers, DanceLord is a "no holds barred biopic series chronicling the epic sweep of Michael Flatley’s life —for every transcendent moment onstage, Flatley endures grueling hours of pain and the loneliness of the road."
The series will focus on Flatley’s rise to international stardom and begins in the drainage ditches of Chicago, where "Flatley toils alongside his immigrant father."
The synopsis reads: "Despite the reprimands of his strict, traditional Irish dance teachers, Michael dances his own unique way for 25 years until, at the age of 35, he bursts onto the global stage with his groundbreaking Eurovision interval performance in 1994.
"But just as soon as his dreams come true, they are snatched away again: he is fired from Riverdance and sent tumbling back into the ditches of Chicago.
"Stripped of everything but the love of his family, undeterred, Michael must summon the will to create an entirely new stage experience...Lord Of The Dance has since generated over £1 billion worth of tickets sold to 70 million people in 60 different countries; the show has been performed at 1,000 venues on all six habitable continents.
"DANCELORD will uplift its global audience with this simple truth: nothing is impossible. Follow your dreams, and if you stumble, make it part of the dance," it reads.
Flatley – who was diagnosed with an "aggressive" form of cancer in January - said he was "honoured" he will be able to share his story with a global audience.
"I’m honoured and humbled to be able to share my story with the world and confident that StoryFirst Entertainment will deliver an inspirational and, hopefully, motivational message to people everywhere. If you work hard and follow your dreams, then nothing is impossible."
Penned by Micho Rutare, the pilot script was delivered on 1 May, 2023. Jessica Sherman will begin the search to cast the lead role immediately, and Gary Marenzi will be handling worldwide sales through Marenzi & Associates.
"This is a show about courage and resilience, with the peaks and valleys of an athlete’s biopic: Michael has pushed his body and spirit over and over throughout his life, and despite crushing setbacks and tremendous physical pain, he has never given up," said Rutare.
"We are so grateful that Michael Flatley, one of one, has put his full trust and faith in us to tell his compelling story," added Rosenblatt. "While I’ve been aware of Michael’s work since I was a kid, I was genuinely blown away when I learned the behind-the-scenes story of how it all came to be. With Micho’s eloquent words and Rod’s experience and talent, I know that this will be a special project with a team uniquely suited to convey the essence of this unique man’s incredible journey."
Rod Gunner added: "I’ve known Michael for many years and it never ceases to amaze me how he consistently confronts adversity head on, in everything he does, whatever the odds, and never considers potential defeat. The Dancelord series dramatically demonstrates that remarkable determination to his legion of fans all over the world, whilst illustrating his unique talent."
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