Gus Van Sant Sets Next Film With Nicholas Galitzine Starring as Male Supermodel Hoyt Richards

Coming off “Dead Man’s Wire,” his first film in over seven years, Gus Van Sant has now set up his next film.

“Masters of the Universe” lead Nicholas Galitzine will star as male supermodel Hoyt Richards in an untitled biopic directed by Van Sant, which is set to shoot next year.

The story centers on Richards, who rose to fame in the late 1980s as one of the highest-paid male supermodels. He became a major fashion figure, fronting campaigns for brands such as Versace, and Valentino. More recently, attention has shifted to a new HBO docuseries, “Bring Me the Beauties,” which explores his past involvement with a cult led by Frederich von Mierers. According to reports, the group—Eternal Values—both helped launch his modeling career and drew him into a disturbing double life.

Galitzine is a British actor best known for starring in “Red, White & Royal Blue,” “Purple Hearts,” and “The Idea of You.” His latest role is as He-Man in the upcoming “Masters of the Universe.” He has four films currently in post-production, with his next shoot likely being Van Sant’s film.

Van Sant recently hinted that he was going to shoot a biopic tackling the infamous Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced crypto mogul, co-founder and CEO of FTX, but it turns out he will be making a whole other film instead, tackling the shady life of a male supermodel.

Last year, Van Sant directed six episodes of “Feud: Capote vs The Swans,” which critics responded to favorably. It marked a small but notable return to form for a filmmaker that’s been noticeably absent from the spotlight — until now.

The late ’80s and early 2000s, when he concocted his “death trilogy,” were Van Sant’s peak years, when he was arguably one of the most vital voices in American indie cinema. “Drugstore Cowboy,” “My Own Private Idaho,” and “Elephant” — which won the Palme d’Or in 2003 — are undeniable highlights.