After a series of ups and downs that included losing its original leading man and moving homes from Sony to Universal, Danny Boyle's biopic of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is slowly but surely coming into fruition. The director is aiming to start production by the spring, and the cast he'll lead is beginning to round shape.
Michael Fassbender and Seth Rogen are set to portray Jobs and Steve Wozniak respectively, so now the focus is on filling out the supporting cast. According to a new report, the film could become a reunion of sorts, as The Newsroom star Jeff Daniels has entered talks for a part.
The Wrap is saying that Daniels is being sought to play former Apple CEO John Sculley, who served in that position from 1983-1993. A formal offer has not been made yet, but sources say that Daniels is Boyle's top choice for the part and deal could materialize soon. Those who followed the courting of Christian Bale know that doesn't necessarily mean Daniels will be in the film when it's all said and done, but his familiarity with screenwriter Aaron Sorkin might help Boyle lock him down.
Daniels won an Emmy (and was nominated for another) for his leading role on HBO's The Newsroom, which was created and primarily written by Sorkin. Given that he's had tremendous success with the Oscar-winner's words before, Daniels would be comfortable handling the dialogue and would most likely jump at the opportunity to keep a strong collaboration going.
In other Steve Jobs casting news, a couple of weeks ago, it was reported that Academy Award-winner Natalie Portman had entered talks for an undisclosed part. In their report, The Wrap also provided an update on that development, stating that the actress has passed on the project, and the role in question is that of one-time Mac marketing chief Joanna Hoffman. Boyle is currently on the lookout for a new talent to portray that individual.
This is the first we've heard in regards to the inclusion of these two former Apple employees. Until now, much of the discussion has pertained to the amount of Steve Jobs audiences will see in the film, and the revelation that his daughter Lisa is considered the "heroine of the movie" by Sorkin. Given that the film consists of three, 30-minute scenes detailing the behind-the-scenes events prior to major product launches, it does make sense that there would be a sizable presence of Jobs co-workers (since a number of company men (and women) played a part in getting the Macintosh and iPod into our homes).
As evidenced by Daniels' interest, the project has had no issue attracting high-profile names, so Boyle shouldn't have too much trouble finding someone to take Portman's place. Its unique structure and awards-worthy pedigree has made it a film to keep an eye on. As the filmmaker inches closer to production, hopefully he can avoid more of the pitfalls that have emerged in the months prior and smoothly steer it to the screen from here.
We'll keep you updated on the untitled Steve Jobs biopic as more information becomes available.
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Source: The Wrap