Jeremy Allen White may go from “The Bear” to the Boss in Bruce Springsteen biopic

Allen is in talks to lead a biopic that would center on the making of solo album "Nebraska."

Was Jeremy Allen White born to run?

The award-winning star of The Bear might be trading his chef's knife for a guitar pick. White is in talks to portray Bruce Springsteen, more fondly known as "The Boss," in a biopic about the making of the rock star's influential solo album, Nebraska.

Tentatively titled Deliver Me From Nowhere, the film is based on Warren Zanes' 2023 book of the same name, Deliver Me From Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska.

Though Springsteen is best known for his stadium-rocking anthems like "Born to Run" and "Born in the U.S.A.," music critics have long hailed his sixth studio album, Nebraska, as some of his finest work. His first acoustic and solo album sans the E Street Band, Nebraska was recorded at a house Springsteen was renting on a simple four-track recorder.

The album bursts with blue-collar character studies, like the death row folk tale of "Johnny 99" and the dark invitation to a night out that is "Atlantic City." In recent years, Springsteen has revealed, via memoir and a one-man Broadway show, his struggles with depression, inherited from his factory-worker father.

Much of those darker themes are at play on Nebraska, and the film would explore this challenging time in Springsteen's life and the ways he channeled his depression into the album while he was on the verge of superstardom. The album also has many cinematic influences, most notably Terence Malick's Badlands.

The Gotham Group, specifically CEO and president Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and partner Eric Robinson, put the project together with Robinson initially seeking the option on the book's rights from Zanes.

Goldsmith-Vein and Robinson will produce along with Scott Stuber, the former head of Netflix Films. Though it was initially speculated that A24 would pick up the movie, the project landed at 20th Century Studios, who will produce and distribute with parent company Disney.

Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart) has been confirmed as writer and director. “I once read that Nebraska is an album that moves you to the marrow of your bones. I couldn’t agree more,” said Cooper in a statement. “Bruce Springsteen, and Nebraska, in particular, have had a profound impact on me and my work."

"Through themes of despair, disillusionment, and the struggles of everyday Americans, Bruce has formed an unparalleled legacy, painting an unflinching portrait of the human condition," Cooper continued. "Yet, amidst the darkness, a sense of resilience and a sense of hope shines through, reflecting an indomitable spirit. That’s the Bruce I’ve come to know and love and will honor with this film. Warren Zanes’ wonderful telling of this chapter in Bruce’s life is ripe for cinematic adaptation. This film has the potential to be a transformative cinematic experience, offering audiences a window into the soul of Bruce Springsteen and the universal truths that bind us all together.”

Springsteen and manager Jon Landau will be involved with the project. “Warren Zanes’ Deliver Me From Nowhere is one of the best books ever written about Bruce Springsteen and his music,” said Landau in a statement. “Bruce and I are thrilled that Scott Cooper has chosen to write and direct the film based on that book – we thinkhe’s the perfect filmmaker for the job. Scott, with Producers Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Eric Robinson at The Gotham Group, and Scott Stuber are bringing together a superb team to ensure that this project has the vision and soul that have been the hallmark of Bruce’s 55-year career. We’re thrilled to have the wholehearted commitment and support of the entire team at 20th and Disney.”

Springsteen allowed his music to play a central role in the 2019 coming-of-age film Blinded by the Light, and he has written several songs for movies, including an Oscar-winning track for Philadelphia.

This would mark the first time an actor would portray the Boss in a film about his life. The biopic comes on the heels of films about artists who were deeply influential on Springsteen's work — Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan.

Springsteen and the E Street Band are in the early days of re-launching their world tour after canceling dates last fall due to Springsteen's health. White is currently filming seasons 3 and 4 of The Bear back to back. Production on Deliver Me From Nowhere is expected to begin in the fall.

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Related content:

• Bruce Springsteen says 2024 set list will change, promises wider song selection

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• Tom Hanks, Jimmy Fallon, and more reflect on Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run on its 45th anniversary
  

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