Michael Mann‘s passion project for almost two decades may finally get made, as he prepares to shoot “Ferrari” with Hugh Jackman as early as next spring.
This, of course, may come as a surprise to some, given that we just had a movie where Enzo Ferrari played a big role: James Mangold‘s “Ford v. Ferrari” last year, which Mann executive produced. But it turns out, in this economy, you have to choose between Ford and Ferrari, you can’t have both.
The news comes from Deadline, with a report that Mann recently reworked the script by the late Troy Kennedy Martin (“The Italian Job“). The film racing drama is reportedly part of the Cannes virtual market, where four-time Oscar-nominee Mann will present the project for buyers early next week.
Hugh Jackman is gearing up to play the titular Ferrari founder, Enzo Ferrari. The film is set in the summer of 1957, during a turbulent time for Ferrari. The company he built was going broke, his marriage was on the rocks after the death of their son, Dino, while Ferrari’s other son was struggling to find his place in the world.
According to Deadline, “Ferrari” is being described as having an almost “The Godfather” type feel. The film’s biggest set piece will be set on one 1,000-mile race across Italy, the 1957 Mille Miglia, and Mann will reportedly build a fleet of replica race cars from the era.
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“The real power of this piece is in the emotionally charged lives of these people in complex, extreme circumstances,” Mann said. “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.”