Here’s a project I don’t think anyone saw coming. Rumors have long held that Sammy Davis Jr., one of the greatest entertainers in the world and a Rat Pack member, was also secretly a warlock in the Church of Satan. Was it true? Eddie Murphy sure thinks so. And now the story of Davis’ alleged Satanist ties is coming to the big screen from Leslie Odom Jr.
According to EW, Odom write and star in Dance with the Devil, based on the Rolling Stone article by Alex Bhattacharji. The film will explore Davis’ connection to the Church of Satan through its founder, Anton LaVey. They met following Davis’ role as a low-level devil in the 1973 comedy film (and rejected TV pilot), Poor Devil. It’s rumored that Davis attended his first Satanist ceremony in 1968, and continued long after his association with LaVey ended.
Here’s an early synopsis: “How a TV pilot called Poor Devil begat a friendship between the performer, Sammy Davis Jr., and Anton Szandor LaVey, founder and high priest of the Church of Satan.”
Bhattachaji said in a statement: “A sensitive story about a profoundly alienated Davis and his search for acceptance. It’s a rollicking ride that touches on complex, timely issues: racial and sexual identity, politics, religion, pop culture, and the counter-culture.”
Odom is no stranger to playing famous figures throughout history. The Hamilton actor is best known for his role as Aaron Burr in the hit Broadway musical, as well as Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami, and William Still in Harriet. But playing another multi-talented entertainer like Sammy Davis Jr. seems like the perfect fit, and should be one of the stranger biopics coming down the pike.
