Acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann continues to move forward his highly anticipated Ferrari project.
According to Deadline, the biopic based on the life and accomplishments of Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari is set to hit production in spring 2021. Mann has reworked the script, which was originally written by the late writer of The Italian Job, Troy Kennedy Martin. Hugh Jackman is in talks to star in the film as Enzo Ferrari. Mann and Jackman have reportedly already started working on key scenes together.
STX is manning the film's international sales and will distribute the movie in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Additionally, Amazon is working to partner with STX and has been "integral in the process." CAA Media Finance will be handling financing and representing the film in the United States.
Ferrari has become the four-time Oscar-nominee's passion project. The movie will be set in the summer of 1957 when Ferrari's life starts to mirror the volatility of his vehicles. The "Godfather-esque tale" is based on Brock Yates' book Enzo Ferrari—The Man And The Machine and will show Ferrari on the verge of being broke with his marriage in the balance. The future of his company and personal life depends on how well his cars perform during the 1957 Mille Miglia.
"The real power of this piece is in the emotionally charged lives of these people in complex, extreme circumstances," Mann explained, according to The Film Stage. "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."
Along with perfecting this project, Mann was tapped to be the executive producer of Ford v. Ferrari. This film was produced under Mann's Forward Pass production banner and earned $225 million worldwide. Ford v. Ferrari starred Christian Bale, who was once attached to Mann's Ferrari.
