Henrick Vartanian
Jeremy Renner‘s star keeps shining brighter by the minute. Finally, being noticed for his talent in films such as “The Hurt Locker'” and then in Ben Affleck’s “The Town,” Renner’s own new production company, The Combine, will soon put him in the driver’s seat, playing non other than cinema legend Steve McQueen – this according to Hollywood Reporter.
The film will be based on two books: “Portrait of an American Rebel,” and “The Life and Legend of a Hollywood Icon,” both written by Marshall Terrill. James Gray (“We Own The Night”) is onboard to write the screenplay. Ivan Zacharias will make his directorial debut with the film.
For a troubled young man who spent time in reform schools, McQueen’s achievements in cinema and popculture have been enormous. Dubbed ‘the “king of cool” and the, the all American rebel, became of the biggest names in the history of film, achieving worldwide fame for his unique portrayal of everyday tough guys, and his love for the open road and the machinery he could drive on them.
His films “The Great Escape” (1963), and “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1968) still air on TV and movie theatres across the globe. McQueen was nominated for an Oscar in a leading role for “The Sand Pebbles” and four Golden Globes throughout his career.
The sky-kissing green Mustang in the film “Bullitt,” made McQueen the most bad-ass detective in the world, and the film serves as a blueprint for cop and car-chase scenes till this day. Last year the Jules Vernes Festival was the first organization to pay the first tribute anywhere to Steve McQueen, where they also screened a remastered print of the 1968 film. See the BNH coverage HERE.
Married three times, McQueen died from mesothelioma in 1980 at age 50, in Mexico.
No release date for the McQueen biopic has been announced. Jeremy Renner will next been seen in “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” and the word is that he may take over the MI franchise after Tom Cruise