Leslie Odom Jr. to Star in Horror Film About Sammy Davis Jr.’s Ties to the Church of Satan
Leslie Odom Jr. (The Exorcist: Believer, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery) is set to adapt a Rolling Stone article about Sammy Davis Jr.’s unlikely connection to the Church of Satan. Deadline reports that Odom has acquired screen rights to the piece, titled Dance with the Devil, which was published in 2024 by Alex Bhattacharji. […]
Leslie Odom Jr. (The Exorcist: Believer, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery) is set to adapt a Rolling Stone article about Sammy Davis Jr.’s unlikely connection to the Church of Satan.
Deadline reports that Odom has acquired screen rights to the piece, titled Dance with the Devil, which was published in 2024 by Alex Bhattacharji.
It details how a TV pilot called “Poor Devil” begat a friendship between the beloved entertainer and Anton LaVey, founder and high priest of the Church of Satan.
Odom will star as Davis in the horror feature, which will be produced in partnership with Rolling Stone Films.
The article is “a sensitive story about a profoundly alienated Davis and his search for acceptance,” says Bhattacharji. “It’s a rollicking ride that touches on complex, timely issues: racial and sexual identity, politics, religion, pop culture, and the counter-culture.”
“Poor Devil” followed Davis as a low-level demon as he set out to prove his worth to Lucifer — played by horror icon Christopher Lee — by convincing a mortal to sign away his soul.
The pilot guest starred Jack Klugman (“The Odd Couple”) as an accountant willing to sell his soul in exchange for sticking it to his boss, played by Adam West (“Batman”).
Odom rose to fame for originating the role of Aaron Burr in Hamilton, earning him a Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Musical and a Grammy as a principal soloist on the Original Broadway Cast Recording.
Sammy Davis Jr. / Anton LaVey, courtesy of Rolling Stone
