From Variety comes word that Forest Whitaker will direct and star in Louis Armstrong biopic What a Wonderful World.

The first to be authorized by the Armstrong estate, the film will focus on the musician’s early years in New Orleans and chronicle his career as a trumpet virtuoso and improvisational singer.

Ron Bass will write and executive produce the film alongside Oscar Cohen who is granting the filmmakers exclusive access to his personal accounts as Armstrong’s road manager in the late ‘40s.

Shooting will begin in Louisiana next summer.