Universal Studios has picked up the much-anticipated Steve Jobs biopic written by Aaron Sorkin after it was dropped by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Deadline magazine reports. Thanks to a speedy handover, the project isn’t expected to lose any momentum.
After acquiring the movie rights to Walter Isaacson’s best-selling Steve Jobs biography, Sony’s film looked by far the most promising Jobs biopic we’ve seen since the Apple co-founder’s passing back in October 2011. But for reasons currently unknown, the company has ended its development and passed the rights over to Universal.
“I’m hearing very strongly that Universal is indeed locking down the Jobs project and essentially giving it a green light,” reports Deadline’s Mike Fleming Jr. “This should be closed by tomorrow latest. That means the project shouldn’t lose any momentum despite the studio move.”
Neither Sony or Universal have commented on the rumors as yet.
Many of those involved with the movie so far — including writer Aaron Sorkin, director Danny Boyle, and producers Scott Rudin, Christian Colson, Mark Gordon, and Guymon Casady — are expected to remain involved. However, the actor who will play Jobs remains a mystery.
It looked certain that Christian Bale would take the lead role after Sorkin said he was so perfect for the part he didn’t even need an audition, but after he backed out, reports have claimed Michael Fassbender could replace him. Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Bradley Cooper have also been linked with the role.
Sorkin has already finished writing the film, which will consist of just three scenes, each around 30 minutes long, that take place backstage before some of Jobs’ most significant keynotes. The movie is expected to hit cinemas late next year.
Source: Deadline,