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Reel kick: Hollywood set to adapt stories of real-life heroes
After the success of Wolf of Wall Street and 12 Years a Slave last year, be prepared to see films based on lives of Marilyn Monroe and Freddie Mercury, Here’s a look at some upcoming biopics that are set to bring the real on to reel.
Hollywood is no stranger to biographical flicks, the recent remarkable ones being Wolf of Wall Street and 12 Years A Slave. These take the real-life stories of musicians, politicians, artists and athletes, among others, and mine them for reel-life fodder. Candid, emotional and sometimes shocking, these factual storyline almost always extract a collective ‘wow’ from the audience. Hollywood knows how to nail it, portraying impeccably etched personalities such as William Wallace, Charlie Chaplin and Jake LaMotta, among many others, with ease. Here’s a look on some significant life-stories coming up this year:
Blonde
Actor: Jessica Chastain
Based on: Marilyn Monroe
The Zero Dark Thirty Hollywood actor Jessica Chastain is all set to play Marilyn Monroe in a biopic intended at reimagining the “inner, poetic and spiritual life” of the Hollywood icon, reports The Wrap.
The two-time Oscar nominee is said to be close to a deal to star in the movie, Blonde, based on the Pulitzer Prize final-making novel of the same name, by Joyce Carol Oates. To be directed by Australian filmmaker Andrew Dominik, Blonde is expected to start shooting in August.
Legend
Actor: Tom Hardy
Based on: Kray Twins
Hollywood actor Tom Hardy has confirmed that he’ll be playing the roles of both Kray twins in a new film about the east-end gangsters. The 36-year-old British actor recently confirmed that he was on board with the project titled Legend. The Inception and Dark Knight Rises star will take on the task of playing both Ronnie and Reggie Kray. The film will be written and directed by LA Confidential screenwriter, Brian Helgeland. The shooting is likely to start later this year.
Captain of the Gate
The House of Cards actor, Kevin Spacey, looks all set to play Winston Churchill in a new biopic of the British wartime leader. Titled Captain of The Gate, the movie will centre on Churchill’s rise to power in the Second World War, when he led his country against Hitler’s regime. The screenplay is by Ben Kaplan. The project is still seeking a director
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Mercury
Actor: Ben Wishaw
Based on: Freddie Mercury
Titled Mercury, a biopic based on Freddie Mercury has been confirmed. Ben Whishaw, best known for playing Q in the James Bond film Skyfall will be portraying the famous frontman of the British band, Queen, best known for songs such as We Will Rock You. The biopic was originally set to star Sacha Baron Cohen, but the actor dropped out of the project.
The Operators
Actor: Brad Pitt
Based on: General Stanley McChrystal
The Fight Club star Brad Pitt may star in a biopic of the controversial former commander of international forces in Afghanistan. The 50-year-old will play US general Stanley McChrystal (top right) in the movie, The Operators. Based on Michael Hasting’s biography of McChrystal, the movie will be written and directed by David Michôd, the Australian filmmaker behind the 2010 movie, Animal Kingdom.
