► Film will tell the life-story of Enzo Ferrari
► Italian media claim Robert De Niro cast as lead
► Clint Eastwood tipped to direct
Robert De Niro has told an Italian newspaper that he will play Enzo Ferrari in a new film of the sports car legend’s life, simply entitled Ferrari.
The biopic will be produced by De Niro’s production firm TriBeCa Film and Triworld’s Gianni Bozzacchi, and will be filmed mostly in Ferrari’s homeland of Italy.
Clint Eastwood lined up to direct Ferrari film
The Guardian newspaper claims that Clint Eastwood has shown interest in directing the Ferrari biopic, once he’s seen the script. Media reports suggest that Nixon screenwriters Stephen J Rivele and Christopher Wilkinson are busy writing the storyline, expected to stretch from 1945 to Enzo’s death in the 1980s.
It’s heartening to hear such big names involved, as they’ll need an ample budget for a film likely to feature some of the most expensive roadgoing and racing Ferraris of all time. Not for nothing did a Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta sell for $38 million in 2014…
Robert De Niro on playing Enzo Ferrari
De Niro is reportedly excited by the role playing Enzo, one of the most remarkable characters ever to wield power in the car world. He told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero: ‘It is an honour to tell the life of an extraordinary man who revolutionised the world of motorsport. The film will go into production soon, mostly in Italy, and has absolute priority over all my other projects.’
The American actor clearly has form playing Italian characters and learned Italian for 1974 film The Godfather. At the ripe old age of 71, De Niro is in his prime to play Enzo, who died in 1988 at the age of 90.
Sounds like this could be a motoring flick to rival Senna and Rush. We just hope they don’t pull any punches in telling the story of this most controversial and driven of car executives.
Click here to read our list of the 10 best Ferraris to remember Enzo’s successor Luca di Montezemolo by.