Jupiter Rising Film has announced today that Yasiin Bey, previously known by his stage name Mos Def, has signed on to play the lead role of Thelonious Monk in the new theatrical biopic, Thelonious. 

The film will center around Monk’s struggles for musical success, mental illness, and the spiritual love triangle between Monk, his wife Nellie, and one of the world’s richest women, Nica Rothschild. 

yasiin bey

“Thelonious Sphere Monk. A leader. A Lord. A shape in space,” said Bey of his casting.

“A man from a community of devotion who lives a simple life distant from society. The adjectives. can never be nouns. Love. is a verb. The Future has already happened. And Forever is a current event. Jupiter and team.”

It’s Bey’s first role since 2016. His previous television and film credits include Be Kind Rewind, A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, 16 Blocks, and Dexter.

“This role is one that requires great depth and a unique understanding of who and what Thelonious Monk was and how his lasting impact can still be heard throughout the music world today,” said producer and Jupiter Rising co-founder Alberto Marzan.

“The moment I met Yasiin I knew we found our Thelonious. It’s an honor to be the first to tell this important story in an epic way since it’s never been told before, we are swinging for the fences on this one. It’s a luxury to be the team to tell this important story.”

“I am so thrilled Yasiin has signed on to play Monk, his artistic measure, his approach and so many other intangibles are perfect to bring Thelonious to life,” said producer and Thelonious screenwriter Peter Lord Moreland.

“Thelonious’ story needs to be told. Having spent much of my life as a musician, record producer and composer I feel really connected to him. We even went to the same high school, Stuyvesant in New York City.”