This headline sounds like Clickhole phoned in an article right before the weekend—or like an intern accidentally published a scrapped two-month old April Fool’s post. But alas, it appears that Joe Manganiello actually is producing and starring (via IMDbPro) in a Smiths film that has somehow been approved by the world’s most curmudgeonly curmudgeon, Morrissey.
According to Pitchfork, Shoplifters of the World recounts events inspired by a story concerning a disturbed Smiths fan who allegedly took a Denver radio station hostage in the ’80s and demanded they play the Smiths on repeat (sound familiar?). The film, written and directed by Stephen Kijak, takes place on the date in 1987 that the Smiths broke up. 359 Inc., Manganiello’s production company that he runs with his brother Nick, will be responsible for the project.
How did the beloved Magic Mike and Pee Wee’s Big Holiday actor get Morrissey to oblige this request? In 2014, he explained to Collider that Kijack had a previous relationship with the famously prickly Smiths frontman, so it just took some time. Manganiello is a self-described Smiths fan, so we imagine this is yet another passion project for the physically-too-handsome actor. Nerdist has reached out to Manganiello’s production company for further details, and will update as this story develops.
We spoke to Joe Manganiello about his last passion project, La Bare, which is about one of the most famous strip clubs in America, and you can check out the conversation below.
Want to see Joe Manganiello laugh like Pee-Wee Herman? Of course you do:
Image Credit: HBO
Matt Grosinger is the music editor of Nerdist, and The Queen Is Dead is his favorite Smiths album by farrrrrrr. You can follow his musings here.
