One of the most scandalous moments in music history is finally getting the Hollywood treatment, as a biopic about the controversial career of short-lived 80s pop duo, Milli Vanilli, is officially in the works. ‘Girl You Know It’s True’ is set to take an in-depth look at the meteoric rise and infamous fall of German pop group Milli Vanilli, who were involved in a lip-syncing scandal that shook up the music industry.
According to @HollywoodReporter, following a series of false starts, the highly-anticipated biopic about the controversy-filled career of Milli Vanilli is currently in production—and the first images of the actors portraying group members Fabrice Morvan and the late Robert Pilatus have just been released. Named after the group’s chart-topping 1989 hit, ‘Girl You Know It’s True’ is said to unravel the events surrounding the formation of Milli Vanilli, specifically the group’s massive success and their eventual disgrace after it was discovered they lip-synced their entire album, resulting in their 1990 Grammy Award for Best New Artist being revoked.
Elan Ben Ali and Tijan Njie are set to star as Fabrice Morvan and Robert Pilatus, the fake group that was created by music producer Frank Farian. Screenwriter Simon Verhoeven, spoke about the upcoming film and what he hopes audiences take away from the project. “It not only tells the spectacular rise of two underdogs making it to the zenith of showbiz within one summer, it also gives a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of that illusory world of fame and its sometimes tragic and unscrupulous machinations. Personally, I think Rob and Fab did not deserve to become the sole scapegoats of this scandal.”
Almost instantly, Milli Vanilli was shut out of the music industry and became a running punchline, as both Fabrice Morvan and Robert Pilatus attempted failed comebacks—and in 1998 Pilatus was found dead of a suspected alcohol and drug overdose. ‘Girl You Know It’s True’ is currently still in production and expected to wrap filming in December.
The film’s associate producers include Jasmin Davis, daughter of the late John Davis, and Brad Howell, who are the true voices of Milli Vanilli. Carmen Pilatus, sister of the late Rob Pilatus, Milli Vanilli’s former assistant Todd Headlee.