Famed health fitness guru Richard Simmons is not pleased about an upcoming short film about his life called The Court Jester featuring comedian Pauly Shore as Simmons, nor is he enthusiastic about a feature-length biopic.
"You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore," wrote Simmons on his verified socials, adding:
"I have never given my permission for this movie."
The weight-loss motivator is known for his flamboyant and energetic personality seen on various TV shows and media, including his Sweatin' to the Oldies series of aerobics videos that were popular throughout the 1980s and '90s.
Lately, however, he's not enthusiastic about the idea of a biopic about him.
After the trailer for The Court Jester dropped on January 17, the 75-year-old encouraged fans not to "believe everything you read."
"I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful."
"Thank you for all your love and support."
The Court Jester was written and directed by Jake Lewis and premiered at The Cabin in Park City, Utah, on January 19, followed by a worldwide release later in the evening on The Lewis Brothers' YouTube page.
You can see the trailer here.
The Court Jester | Official Teaser | Pauly Shore is Richard Simmonsyoutu.be
The official teaser reveals a TV set where a production assistant is getting a pep talk from Simmons, portrayed by Shore.
"What's my first rule?" Simmons asks, and encourages them with:
"Like yourself. Your weight doesn't matter. If you like yourself, you're going to be fine."
"But I've been where you are right now," he continues across a montage of the crew working behind the scenes, the studio audience getting pumped for the show, and Simmons—in a sequined blue tank top and sparkly silver shorts—preparing for his entrance backstage.
He adds:
"And where I am right now, is I just love myself. Every part of myself."
"And I think I can show you how to get here."
The trailer fades to black as the voice of an announcer introduces Simmons, prompting the audience to cheer and applaud.
Even though Simmons voiced his displeasure about a biopic, fans were happy to hear from him after ten years of absence and they offered supportive words.
But several fans tried to convince him there was a demand for a film about him.
Shore, who is known for his work in '90s comedy films like Encino Man and Bio-Dome, told TODAY.com that he was excited about the project and being able to share "Simmons' life with the world."
He said:
"We all need this biopic now more than ever."
The 55-year-old continued:
"Simmons represented mental health, getting people in shape and being his authentic silly self!"
"Whenever he was on TV you could never take your eyes off of him and he brought such a joy to his appearances that represented nothing but a good time."
Shore also told Entertainment Weekly he pursued the project due to fans constantly commenting on his resemblance to Simmons.
"I am him," stressed Shore, adding:
"I like helping people. I like health. I like putting that energy out there."
"Through my mom and [The Comedy Store], she helped a lot of people and it kind of got passed down to me—I help comedians and people, and so I really relate to Richard."
"And I've been going to the gym since I was a kid. And I think I'm a little over the top as well, so I feel like I connect with him. And I've known him for years from back in the day."
"I started in the '90s... I used to always see him and I was always giving him hugs and high fives and stuff."
When asked if he was able to get in touch with Simmons recently, Shore said he heard from reps who relayed that Simmons loved Shore and his mother. But he was informed that the aerobics and weight-loss coach "just wants to lay low and not really be involved."
What followed next was a shopping deal from the Wolper Organization, which had a first-look deal at Warner Bros. and had been wanting to make a movie based on Richard Simmons' life story.
Wolper Organization issued a statement obtained by NBC News, which read:
“While we would love to have him involved, we respect his desire [for] privacy and plan to produce a movie that honors him, celebrates him, and tells a dramatic story.”
The statement added:
“We know he is deeply private and we would never want to invade that, [however] he is an amazing person, that changed millions of people's lives and the effect he has had on the world needs to be recognized.”
Shore shared his journey to playing Simmons on an Instagram video post, explaining that "people just need opportunities. That's what life's about, opportunities."
He mentioned that portraying Simmons in a project had its origins with his Las Vegas-based web series called Sweatin With the Wiez in which he danced around in aerobics gear with female friends for fun.
It sparked memes about how much Shore and Simmons look alike.
Shore continued:
"If I get the opportunity to star in a Richard Simmons biopic, I will deliver because I take things very seriously."
"I will immerse myself in the body, soul, and spirit of Richard Simmons."
You can watch his explanation here.
Warning: NSFW explicit language.
Over the weekend, Shore claimed Simmons had a change of heart regarding a feature-length film.
According to HuffPost:
"'I hope that once he sees the short and … what we’re wanting to do with it that he’ll change his tune,' Shore added. 'I love him. I love what he represents, which is why we want to do it. He’s such a great character and it’d be a good opportunity for me to get back out there.'"
"Whether Jake Lewis, who directed the short, will return to produce the feature-length film remains mysterious."
At the end of 2016, Simmons broke off contact with friends and disappeared from the public eye after shutting down his Beverly Hills studio, "Slimmons," where he taught motivational classes and aerobics to fans.
Since then, his reclusiveness in the past decade generated speculations about his well-being and safety, discussed in the Missing Richard Simmons podcast.
Simmons broke the silence after a rumor began circulating about him being held hostage by his longtime housekeeper, Teresa Reveles.
He called in live on the TODAY show and told host Savannah Guthrie:
“No one is holding me in my house as a hostage."
“You know, I do what I want to do as I’ve always done so people should sort of just believe what I have to say because, like, I’m Richard Simmons!”
“That's just very silly. Teresa Reveles has been with me for 30 years. It’s almost like we’re a married couple."
Simmons also explained:
"I just sort of wanted to be a little bit of a loner for a little while."
"You know, I had hurt my knee, and I had some problems with it, and then the other knee started giving me trouble because I've taught like thousands and thousands of classes, and you know right now I just want to sort of take care of me."
After many years of inspiring others to reach their health goals through his infectious charm and charisma, the man deserves some time to focus on himself.
And while the train has already left the station regarding the short film, there's no doubt Shore's performance shows promise.
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