It’s a drama almost 17 years in the making, and Deadline brings word today that Michael Mann’s long-in-development Enzo Ferrari biopic may have located its two leading stars: Noomi Rapace and Logan‘s Hugh Jackman.
Negotiations are still ongoing, according to the outlet, though we understand Jackman is currently in talks to headline as the Italian motor racing driver and global entrepreneur. Christian Bale was once in contention to take point as Ferrari, but those tentative plans quickly unraveled before Mann’s picture could gain any sense of momentum. Now, it’s being courted back onto the starting grid, with Noomi Rapace circling the role of Enzo’s estranged wife, Linda.
Initially hatched alongside the late, great Sydney Pollack almost two decades ago, Michael Mann is directing from his own script and, providing both Jackman and Rapace close their respective deals, all involved could be looking at a summer 2018 production start. Largely set during the mid-50s, we understand Mann’s pitch not only explores the fiery relationship between Enzo and Linda, but the year 1957, when “passion, failure, success and death and life all collided in Ferrari’s battle for supremacy against rival Maserati.”
Coming hot off the critically adorned Logan, Hugh Jackman’s time in the X-Men universe is all but finished, and as bittersweet as that may be, it’s still exciting to learn that the Aussie actor will be flexing his dramatic chops further still. Noomi Rapace, on the other hand, is said to hold a small role in Ridley Scott’s prequel-sequel Alien: Covenant. Last time we checked in on her Elizabeth Shaw, she was plotting course for the fabled world of Paradise, though eagle-eyed viewers believe her hijacked Juggernaut ship is, in fact, the same one spotted on Covenant‘s desolate alien planet. We’ll find out whether that’s indeed the case on May 19th.
Meanwhile, Michael Mann’s Ferrari is finally beginning to pick up steam, and will now target a production start midway through 2018.