Rami Malek has been snagged to take on the role of the iconic comedy silent movie star Buster Keaton in a limited series from Warner Bros Television.

Known for his deadpan expression, actor-director Keaton starred in such movies as ‘The Playhouse,’ ‘Cops,’ ‘The Electric House,’ ‘Sherlock Jr’ and ‘The General’ among several others; the latter is considered to be his masterpiece. Born into a vaudeville family, Keaton’s career waned after he inked with MGM and lost his artistic independence. His wife divorced him, and he became an alcoholic. His career rebounded in the 1940s; he remarried and earned an Academy Honorary Award in 1959.

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James Curtis’ Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker’s Life is being eyed as the source material for the series, with negotiations underway by the studio to secure the book.

Matt Reeves 6th & Idaho Productions, Malek and David Weddle are producing, and it is said that ‘The Batman’ director is set to helm. Three-time Emmy winner Ted Cohen (Friends, Succession, Veep) is in negotiations to write and serve as an executive producer on the project.