Michael Mann Abandoned A James Dean Biopic Because He Was Tired Of Waiting For Leonardo DiCaprio To Age

It’s Michael Mann mania this week with the new release of the director’s prequel/sequel novel to his 1995 crime film masterpiece “Heat.” The book comes hot on the heels of Mann starting production on his “Ferrari” biopic in Italy.  And Mann has “Heat 2” on deck as his next movie after he finishes “Ferrari.”

READ MORE: Michael Mann Confirms His ‘Heat’ Sequel Is Already Underway & Will Be A “Very Large Movie”

But Deadline wanted to hear about other projects the director had in mind over the years in their interview with Mann about his new novel. So, what’s one of the best Mann mentions? Another biopic he wanted to make in the 1990s about James Dean, with a young Leonardo DiCaprio in the starring role. Mann loved DiCapario for the part, but he ultimately nixed the project for one reason: Leo wasn’t aging fast enough for it to happen.

“That was so weird about James Dean,” Mann said in the interview. “It was a brilliant screenplay. And then it’s who the hell could play James Dean? And I found a chap who could play James Dean, but he was too young. It was Leo. We did a screen test that’s quite amazing. I think he must’ve been 19 at the time.” That’s a screen test fans of both Mann and DiCaprio would love to see.

“And from one angle, he totally had it with him,” Mann continued. “I mean, it’s brilliance. He would turn his face in one direction and we see a vision of James Dean, and then he’d turn his face in another direction and it’s no, that’s a young kid. He respectfully undid the James Dean bio for me.” So, in short, Leo was too much of a baby face for him in the role of Dean to work. The irony is that Leo was 19 at the time of his screen test, and Dean died at age 24. Did Leo look too young to play Dean? Take Mann’s word for it. He’s as fastidious a director as they come, so he would certainly know what works for the biopic and what wouldn’t.

Still, why didn’t Mann return to the James Dean biopic after “Heat” came out in 1995? His next film, “The Insider,” didn’t hit theaters until 1999, four years later. Alas, such is the fate of so many movie ideas. DiCaprio as Dean would have been a fun watch, but if Mann’s a consummate perfectionist, he would definitely abandon the project if he wasn’t 100% on it.

When should audiences expect “Ferrari”? Mann started production on the film in Italy on August 1, so late 2023 at the earliest is an outside bet. A 2024 release is more likely.