Prince performing on the Purple Rain Tour USA, 1984 (Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns/Getty Images)

Universal Pictures has secured the rights to some of Prince’s classic songs to create an original feature film with a fictional narrative, inspired by his music.

There’s no word yet on what songs will be used, but the studio has stressed that the film will not be a Prince biopic as that angle has already been so successfully covered in his 1984 Oscar-winning film, Purple Rain.

The Prince estate has been inquiring with studios about such a film, and it’s reported that Universal worked aggressively to acquire the rights. Meetings have begun with potential writers to create a completely original story with a narrative driven by Prince’s music.

Atom Factory’s Troy Carter, the entertainment advisor of Prince’s estate, will executive produce alongside Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, who are the exclusive worldwide publishing administrator for Prince’s catalogue.

The 1984 release of Purple Rain was so successful it made Prince the first artist to simultaneously hold the number one film, album and single in the American charts. With the current musical craze sweeping the world off the back of Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star is Born, this project seems built for certain success. 

But this isn’t the only Prince-inspired project in the works. Ava DuVernay is directing a documentary about Prince for Netflix - which is already in production with the blessing of the late star's estate - while Elizabeth Banks is set to star in and produce, Queen for A Day, a film based on Chris Lee’s Daily Beast story about hotel maid who won a date with the pop icon. This one is set up at Paramount Players.

Settle in Prince fans, sounds like there’s a plenty of quality viewing to look forward to! 

Has this article awoken a need for a Prince fix in your day? Then our I LIKE: PRINCE Playlist is sure to hit the spot!