Plans for Documentary Chronicling Johnny Cash’s Life Revealed

Director Thom Zimny will direct an upcoming documentary that will chronicle the life and legacy of Johnny Cash.

Written by Lauren Laffer
Plans for Documentary Chronicling Johnny Cash’s Life Revealed
Johnny Cash; Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The life and legacy of Johnny Cash will be explored in a brand new documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film, which has the full support of Cash’s estate, will explore the late singer’s music and biography through his famous Folsom Prison concert.

“While the linear narrative of the Folsom Prison performances will anchor our film, each song in the set list will open a door into a nonlinear presentation of Cash’s emotional, musical and personal development,” Zimny said in a statement.

The announcement of the documentary comes just after the 50th anniversary of Cash’s Folsom Prison concert (January 13, 1968). The show was the basis for his successful live concert album, At Folsom Prison, which has sold more than three million copies. The record was Cash’s 27th overall album and debuted in May 1968.

Zimny is best known for his previously directed Bruce Springsteen documentaries and HBO Films’ Elvis Presley: The Searcher documentary. Frank Marshall, producer of Jurassic World, has also been tapped to assist with the untitled project.

Cash died in 2003. He’s best known for songs including “I Walk the Line”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Ring of Fire”, “Get Rhythm”, and “Man in Black”.