Jack Black Hopes to Bring His Dark Comedy Bernie to Broadway

Jack Black’s quirky movie Bernie is quite the murderous affair—and the comedian hopes the dark comedy will kill on Broadway, too, according to The Wrap. Black would love to see the Texas-set comedy, based on the true story of a musical theater geek (Black) accused of killing his octogenarian lover (Shirley MacLaine), adapted as a stage musical.

“Shirley [MacLaine] has an idea that we could turn this into a real dark musical for Broadway,” Black said at a recent screening for Bernie. Directed by Richard Linklater, the indie film received raves from critics upon its theatrical release this spring.

“Could you see it, the whole thing as a musical?” Black asked the crowd. “The problem is, with the good Broadway musicals, it takes like five years of workshopping and writing, and who’s got that kind of time? I’d like to do it like next week, if possible! 2017?”

Black went on to express his interest in eventually doing Broadway, citing “a really funny musical” like The Book of Mormon or a rock opera as his dream project. The actor has no lack of theater experience (he did Pippin in high school) and has demonstrated plenty of vocal ability in his band, Tenacious D.

Check out the trailer for Bernie below!