Internet divided as Pauly Shore says he'll star in Richard Simmons biopic whether he 'likes it or not'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA:  Pauly Shore, the comedian and actor, has once again stirred up controversy over his involvement in the upcoming Richard Simmons biopic.

During his recent 'Netflix Is a Joke' show at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, Shore made it clear that he is set to star in the biopic about the fitness icon, irrespective of Simmons’ approval.

Pauly Shore’s bold statement amid social media backlash

“I’m also gonna be starring in the Richard Simmons biopic…whether he likes it or not, Richard,” Shore declared, adding, “Just another f*****g bump in my f*****g road," Variety reported.

This comment follows a series of social media exchanges regarding the biopic, which is currently in development at Warner Bros subsidiary, the Wolper Organization, with writer Jordan Allen-Dutton attached.

News of the biopic broke in January, with Shore announced as the star. However, Simmons soon responded with a Facebook post stating, “You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read.”

Richard Simmons’ disapproval and Pauly Shore’s emotional plea

In April, Simmons posted on X, expressing his disapproval of the project and revealing his plans to create his own biopic with major studios.

“I just read that a man that I don’t know is writing my biopic starring Pauly Shore. I do not approve this movie," Simmons wrote.

"I am in talks with major studios to create my own biopic with some help. Wait for this movie,” the fitness guru added.

Following this, Shore shared an emotional Instagram post, stating that he had been “up all night crying.”

“Richard, you haven’t even heard the pitch. Why don’t you simply let me come over to your house, bring you some warm matzo ball soup and a pastrami sandwich with dark mustard from Canters, rub your feet, and we can listen to the writer, Jordan Allen-Dutton, pitch you our idea?” he urged to Simmons.

The Wolper Organization’s biopic moves ahead

Despite Simmons’ objections, the Wolper Organization’s biopic seems to be progressing steadily, Deadline reported that the film's title hasn’t yet been disclosed.

 “I hope to make Richard’s story inspiring, tight, and provocative like a good pair of dolphin shorts," writer Allen-Dutton told the publication. 

“While we would love to have [Simmons] involved, we respect his desire to privacy and plan to produce a movie that honors him, celebrates him and tells a dramatic story," Warner Bros stated to Variety.

"We know he is deeply private and we would never want to invade that, however he is an amazing person that changed millions of peoples’ lives, and the effect he has had on the world needs to be recognized," it added. 

Internet reacts as Pauly Shore insists on making the Richard Simmons biopic  

Netizens reacted strongly to Shore’s insistence on starring in the biopic with many in support and few also criticizing him.

“It’s gross he’s insistent like this,” wrote one user. “Pauly sounds like the abusive slimeball we all kind of think he is anyway,” commented another.

“It was a great short at the film festival… That film needs to be made,” shared a supporter. “Sounds like a trainwreck waiting to happen, but I’ll probably watch it out of curiosity,” admitted one curious observer.

“Dam they related?” one user reacted, referring to the matching behaviors of Shore and Simmons.

“Pauly Shore was born to play Richard Simmons. Fully support,” wrote a fan. “A cat fight?” asked another, intrigued by the unfolding drama. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.