Brad Pitt To Play Steve McQueen?

Ross Miller — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:08:00 +0000

A few months ago, Screen Rant reported that a biopic about the legendary Steve McQueen was in the works. It is to be based on McQueen’s autobiography, entitled Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel, and is to concentrate mainly on his acting career, with just a few dashes of his off-screen liking for motorbikes, fast cars and drugs. However, at the point of the project being announced there was no actor lined up to play him, with Daniel Craig’s name being mentioned merely by film fans on message boards.

However, cut to a few months later and the Steve McQueen biopic is getting ready to go, with a certain mega-famous actor apparently in talks to play the legendary film star: Brad Pitt.

According to The Examiner, Pitt is, “about to sign on,” to play McQueen, but nothing is said of the reason why he was chosen. There is speculation that it’s because of Pitt’s resemblance to McQueen (he’s not exact, but who is?), as well as him sharing love with McQueen for, “beautiful women, fast cars and motorcycles.” I can see where people are coming from on both fronts – the name recognition doesn’t exactly hurt, either.

Also, Pitt has certainly shown in the past that he has the natural charisma (particularly in the Ocean’s series) to pull off the “king of cool” persona on-screen.

Who better to play the world-renowned film star than the current most famous actor on the planet? I’m not saying that should be the reason to pick who portrays McQueen – it should be about acting talent, particularly the ability for great personification – but it sort of makes sense, in a weird kind of way.

In addition to being wishfully mentioned by film fans that Daniel Craig should be given the role, McQueen’s third wife, Barbara, also expressed interest in him being the one to portray her late husband. I guess, since she probably won’t have anything to do with the biopic, producers Christine Peters and Michael Carenzie aren’t listening too closely to her or any of McQueen’s family members on matters of casting.

Remember, this isn’t absolute concrete news that Pitt is going to be playing the “king of cool,” but it’s at least looking possible. If it does turn out to be Pitt who lands the role, I won’t have any complaints. If they were going for pure resemblance, though, I would go with Craig…

What is your thoughts on the possibility of Brad Pitt playing Steve McQueen? Would you prefer Pitt over Craig?

The Steve McQueen biopic is set to start production sometime later this year.

Sources: The Examiner and Cinematical

Steve McQueen Biopic In The Works

Ross Miller — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:23:57 +0000

There are actors and then there are those who transcend that label to become cinematic icons. And I don’t think anyone would disagree that Steve McQueen was, and still is, one of those icons–one loved by film fans across the globe.

Well, it appears that in further recognition of McQueen’s impact on the world of film, a biopic about his life is in the works, which is to be based on the 1993 biography written by Marshall Terill, Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel.

The film will be produced by Michael Cerenzie and Christine Peters, who both acquired the rights to make it, alongside Brian Oliver and Chuck Rock of Arthaus Productions.

The project will mainly concentrate on McQueen’s Hollywood career, which started in 1956 with Somebody Up There Likes Me, but the biography also includes details of his off-screen inclinations towards motorbikes, fast-cars and drugs.

Well this is just fantastic news, although I’m actually surprised it’s taken so long for a biopic of the legend to get made. As I said above, McQueen really is an icon and I would be extremely interested to see his life explored on-screen.

No word yet on who will play McQueen, which is understandable since the project hasn’t been long announced, but well-received suggestions of Daniel Craig have already popped up on message boards around the Web. And even though Craig playing the role is really just wishful thinking at this stage, I still wouldn’t rule the possibility out. Craig is not that dissimilar in look to McQueen and films like Flashbacks of a Fool, Defiance and of course the Bond films (well, at least Casino Royale), have shown us he’s got a lot of acting talent.

So, are you glad that they’re finally adapting Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel for the screen? And who do you think could fill the shoes of the acting legend?

Sources: Coming Soon and Variety

Screen Rant » steve mcqueen

Brad Pitt To Play Steve McQueen?

Steve McQueen Biopic In The Works