There's a lot of attention on the upcoming release of Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, in part due to its interesting casting of Harry Potter alum Daniel Radcliffe as the famed parodist. Based on a Funny or Die sketch released online in 2010, Weird imagines an alternate backstory for Yankovic, depicting the squeaky-clean comedian as someone very different from who he was in reality. The film, which recently wrapped filming, is in development at The Roku Channel.

As Radcliffe has always been an excellent actor, there doesn't seem to be much doubt in his abilities to pull of this unique role. Even so, the actor's name was probably not the first to come up for most when thinking of who might be best to play "Weird Al" in a movie. Visiting Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show on Friday, Radcliffe was asked about how his involvement in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story came to be. And it all comes down to a television appearance from more than a decade ago.

In 2010, Radcliffe was a guest on The Graham Norton Show alongside Colin Farrell and Rihanna. On the program, he recited every word verbatim from Tom Lehrer's classic novelty song "The Elements." That song, which is set to the tune of the "Major-General's Song" from the opera The Pirates of Penzance, lists all of the elements from the periodic table in order. As Radcliffe explains on The Tonight Show, Yankovic happened to see that footage, and this was what put the actor in mind when it came time to cast Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

“When I talked to Al for the first time, I was like, ‘I’m immensely flattered by the idea that you would pick me to play you, but like, why me? I’m mystified but excited.' Apparently, like 13, 14 years ago, I sang a version of a Tom Lehrer song on The Graham Norton Show in the UK. I sang a version of ‘The Elements’ next to Colin Farrell and a very bemused Rihanna, who I think was like, who is this kid, and why is he singing all of 'The Elements?' And I guess Al saw that and was like, ‘This guy maybe gets it.’ And so he picked me. So I’m very, very lucky, and now I’ve gotten to have accordion lessons with Al. So I can go to my grave.”

Related: First Look Image Shows Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna in Al Yankovic Biopic

Al Yankovic Says This Will Be Daniel Radcliffe's Most Memorable Role

Weird Al
Orion Pictures/Signature Entertainment

The "Weird" one himself also addressed the casting when the news of the biopic was first announced. He released a statement suggesting that this will become Radcliffe's most memorable role, even more so than a certain other fantasy movie series that had featured Radcliffe as the titular lead for many years.

"When my last movie UHF came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork. I’m very happy to say we’re on schedule. And I am absolutely thrilled that Daniel Radcliffe will be portraying me in the film,” said Yankovic. “I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for.”

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story does not yet have an official release date. You can watch the video that landed Radcliffe the role of "Weird Al" Yankovic below.