A Randy Travis biopic is in the works – see which country star will play the music legend
A country music star will be portraying his idol in a film about the life of legendary singer Randy Travis.
The seven-time Grammy winner, who recovered from a near-fatal stroke in 2013, will be portrayed by country music star Clay Walker in an upcoming biopic titled “Forever and Ever, Amen,” the name of one of Travis’ biggest hits.
Travis, 65, and his wife, Mary, will be executive producers on the film, which will be produced by Eric Groth and written and directed by Andrew Hyatt of Sacred Arthouse, according to a news release.
Zach Dasher and “Duck Dynasty” star Korie Robertson are also involved from the film and podcast company Tread Lively. They are additionally behind the upcoming series “Duck Dynasty: The Revival.”
The film plans to cast three different actors to play Travis at different stages of his life. Walker, 55, who is also an executive producer on the film, will play the country legend in his 40s and 50s. The production is still casting a child actor to play Travis at around 9 to 12 years old and another actor to play a young Travis in his 20s and 30s.
“We’ve been approached many times through the years about doing a movie… but the timing or team has never felt quite as good as it feels right now. With Clay on our side, and the creative direction he and the producers have, I feel good about telling my story through this medium,” Randy Travis said in the news release.
“Randy Travis is the voice of a generation and one of the greatest country singers of all time. I am truly honored to be a part of this project, and cannot believe I get to play one of my heroes,” Walker said in the release.
The new project was announced March 5 during an event at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Walker performed along with Collin Raye, Lady A, James Dupré and more.
Walker sang the movie’s title song, “Forever and Ever, Amen,” which was originally released in 1987 and eventually became a quintuple platinum hit for Travis.
Dupré performed the Travis hit “Where That Came From,” which featured Travis’ vocals on the song. Travis has worked to regain his speech in the wake of the debilitating stroke, which has included releasing new music in the last five years with the help of new technologies.
Doctors gave Travis a less than 1% chance of survival after he suffered the stroke. He underwent brain surgery and learned how to walk again.
In 2016, he delivered a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace” after being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Mary and Randy Travis spoke on TODAY in 2020 about his remarkable recovery.
“To get to walk beside him is just one of the greatest joys I’ve ever had,” Mary Travis said. “Every day’s a new day and there’s always something to smile about, and it’s important to find something to laugh about and smile, especially these days.”
The country luminary also delighted fans in more recent years when he popped up in the audience of the classic game show “The Price Is Right” on Feb. 27, 2024.
