Joey Ramone biography in the works, movie also planned

Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh is working on a biography of the late Ramones frontman. The book is titled I Slept With Joey Ramone, and it will cover Joey's life both as a member of the Ramones and as an individual, with all his imperfections. Leigh told us he wants people to know who Joey Ramone really was: "The idea is to show the adversity this guy had to overcome, which was tremendous -- growing up with some medical problems, and just, you know, awkward looks, and taking a lot of abuse -- more than, you know, most people would ever imagine -- and overcoming all that adversity to achieve what he did, and to become, you know, a very influential person, and an idol and a hero to many people."

I Slept With Joey Ramone is almost finished, having gone through some extensive checking of facts and chronology, and will be out next fall.

Leigh was helped with the book by noted rock journalist and author Legs McNeil.

Even though it's not finished, the rights to I Slept With Joey Ramone have been optioned by TV and movie producer Rory Rosegarten, who plans to turn the story into a feature film. Rosegarten has also secured the rights to use Ramones music in the production, according to Variety. There's no word on who might be in the cast, when shooting will take place, or when it might premiere.