Netflix is moving forward with an ambitious project chronicling the early life of U.S. President John F. Kennedy — and sources tell me that acclaimed Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg (“Another Round,” “The Hunt”) has officially hopped onboard to direct.
Word is that this started off as a limited series, based on the Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Fredrik Logevall’s 2020 biography, “JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917–1956,” which explores Kennedy’s formative years — from his privileged upbringing to his rise as a young senator.
According to insiders, there was initially an effort to develop the project as a feature film, but for now, it appears Netflix plans to move forward with the original eight-episode limited series format. I’m sure Vinterberg would love to make a film out of this story, but the amount of material to cover might be too dense for a 2 hour runtime.
Oscar-winning screenwriter Eric Roth (“Forrest Gump,” “Dune”) wrote the script. Sources indicate that Vinterberg’s involvement has already given the project serious momentum for a planned 2026 shoot.
Vinterberg, who earned an Oscar nomination for Best Director for “Another Round” and previously won the Cannes Jury Prize for “The Celebration,” is known for his provocative character studies — qualities that could elevate the JFK saga beyond standard biopic tropes.
Netflix has not officially commented on the project, but it’s being described as one of the streamer’s most high-profile period dramas in development, blending political intrigue, family drama, and the myth-making of American history.
If all moves ahead as planned, Vinterberg’s JFK could turn out to be a distinctly American epic helmed by one of Europe’s most acclaimed filmmakers.