HBO Films is developing a movie about the life of legendary blues musician Robert Johnson; James L. White (Ray) is set to write the screenplay.

The film will look at the life of the so-called King of the Delta Blues, partly from the point of view of his son Claud. Variety adds Johnson was an iconic blues musician from Mississippi who died in 1938 at the age of 27 and has been posthumously recognized as the grandfather of many musical genres, including rock 'n' roll. Claud Johnson, who waged a court battle for years to be acknowledged as the musician's son, was raised by his religious grandfather and taught that his father practiced the devil's music.

HBO Films hasn't yet decided whether it would release the Johnson movie theatrically or on the pay network.