Niki Lauda lines up on the grid for his own biopic

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.

Niki Lauda

With the Senna biopic now streaming to television sets everywhere, reports are coming in that another film is undergoing production that focuses on Niki Lauda.

The Austrian driver is a three-time Formula One World Champion and rated as one of the best of all time. His career spanned over the 1970s and 1980s, driving most notably for Ferrari, then coming out of retirement to score his third world championship with McLaren – a move that Michael Schumacher surely took to heart.

The film reportedly focuses on the 1976 championship, when Lauda crashed at the Nürburgring, losing his right ear and suffering severe burns to his face. He returned – spoiler alert! – just six weeks later having missed two grands prix, and only to lose the title to James Hunt by just one point.

The screenplay is reportedly being written by Peter Morgan, best known for his work on Frost/Nixon and The Queen. They’re apparently still hunting for director and producers, but as for the actor who will play the lead role, Lauda himself reportedly quipped, “Anyone who is 25 or 26 with his right ear burnt off and dreams to be made up to look like me can start making plans.”

Niki Lauda lines up on the grid for his own biopic originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Niki Lauda lines up on the grid for his own biopic”

George Clooney to play John DeLorean in biopic?

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Celebrities, Rumormill

George Clooney as John DeLorean

John Z. DeLorean, driving force behind such iconic vehicles as the Pontiac GTO, Firebird and the DMC-12 that bears his name, led an interesting life. He helped jump-start the muscle car era, created a unique stainless steel sports car of his own, was charged with trafficking drugs in an attempt to raise funds for his company and later successfully defended himself against those charges. It’s no surprise, then, that Hollywood has been attempting to get a biographical film together that focuses on the charismatic industry playboy. The idea for the film has been floating around for some time now, but we’ve gotten word that a big name might be cast in the lead role. According to Forbes, George Clooney could be the man destined for gullwing greatness.

Nothing is confirmed and it appears Forbes is merely speculating that Clooney would be the right man for the part based upon a conversation with Stephen Wynne, head of the reborn DeLorean Motor Company. It’s certainly not a bad choice, but we’re sure you have some good ideas as to who could fill John Z’s on-screen shoes. Sound off in Comments and let us know who you think should play John DeLorean in the forthcoming David Permut-produced biopic.

[Source: Forbes | Source Image: TheSelvedgeYard]

George Clooney to play John DeLorean in biopic? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “George Clooney to play John DeLorean in biopic?”