Hugh Jackman was announced to star in Michael Mann’s “Ferrari” almost three years ago, this after Christian Bale dropped out of the lead role. Mann has been aiming to make this passion project happen for a long, long time. I've read fairly old interviews where he talked about wanting to do it.
And so, today’s news is a big victory for Mann.
Deadline is reporting that “Ferrari” is indeed happening and that a Spring 2021 shoot is set in the schedule. Mann recently reworked the script by the late Troy Kennedy Martin (“The Italian Job“). Jackman is set to play the titular role of -Ferrari founder- Enzo Ferrari
The film will be set in the summer of 1957, during a time of immense distress for Ferrari. The company he built was going broke, at the same time, his marriage was crumbling after the death of their son. Deadline describes “Ferrari” as having an almost “The Godfather” type feel.
“The real power of this piece is in the emotionally charged lives of these people in complex, extreme circumstances,” Mann said. “In addition, there is the explosive power and lethal beauty of racing. It has a great drama at its core and that’s why ‘Ferrari’ stayed with me.”
The movie comes after Enzo Ferrari played a big part in last year’s thrilling James Mangold biopic “Ford v. Ferrari”, which Mann, oddly enough, executive produced.
For a 77-year-old director who normally takes 5+ years between projects, the 2020s look like they're going to be pretty busy for Mann. He directed the pilot for HBO Max’s “Tokyo Vice” and is also producing that series. He was also set to begin work on a Vietnam miniseries, which was apparently deep enough into development that he was location scouting in Vietnam not long ago.
Mann has been missing in action this decade, a surprising disappearance act from the great director of such muscular achievements as “The Insider,” “Collateral,” and “Heat.” So, what happened? He’s released only one movie in the last ten years, 2015’s misbegotten “Blackhat.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of looking forward to the “Michael” sequel. Whether Vantoine directs it or John Logan, it doesn’t matter—it’s an inevitable sh*tshow that will result from its making and release.