A new feature-length documentary will explore the life and death of INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, whose influence looms large almost 20 years after his death.
John Battsek, the executive producer of Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man, will take on the project alongside director Richard Lowenstein, the Australian filmmaker responsible for several INXS music videos.
Hutchence was the founding member and lead singer of Australian rock band INXS from 1977 until his death in 1997. The group stormed the international charts with 1987 album Kick, which peaked at No. 3 in the US.
Hutchence also received international acclaim and won the best international male artist award at the 1991 Brit Awards. He later took his own life in a Sydney hotel room in 1997.
Lowenstein - who filmed the band's What You Need video - said he was extremely excited to tell Hutchence's story with the support of INXS.
"I have been working on the definitive documentary film journey into the heart and soul of this complex, shy, poetic and exceptionally charismatic man for many years," he said in a statement to Billboard last week.
Passion Pictures and Universal Music Group are behind the production. Passion Pictures' John Battsek notably produced Oscar-winning film Searching for Sugar Man, which charted the life of reclusive American musician Sixto Rodriguez.
Universal Music Group co-produced Oscar-winning 2015 documentary Amy, which won international acclaim for its insight into the life and death of British singer Amy Winehouse.
"Michael Hutchence was a musical genius who led one of the world's biggest bands to global stardom, only to succumb to a tragic end," Universal Music Group head of development, David Blackman, said in a statement.
"We have assembled an incredible team that is committed to telling Michael's story and providing the world with a portrait of a man who left behind an enduring musical and cultural legacy."
The documentary is expected to arrive in cinemas at the end of 2017.
INXS continued to tour after the death of Hutchence and in 2005 were the subject of reality television series Rock Star: INXS, in which contestants vied to become the band's lead vocalist.
In 2012, the group announced they would no longer be touring, but in 2014 drummer Jon Farriss said they could be open to performing again in the future.
The group most recently toured with Irish singer-songwriter Ciaran Gribbin in place of Hutchence.
The new documentary is not the first time INXS' story has been told on screen. Channel Seven produced the 2013 mini-series INXS: Never Tear Us Apart, which lead to INXS' The Very Best Ofalbum reaching No. 1 on the Australian charts.
