After a stretch of teething problems, work on the Steve Jobs film has started to settle. Original director Danny Boyle and original screenwriter Aaron Sorkin are both still attached, and The Wrap now reports that Jeff Daniels is in the running for a role. It’s still in the early stages, but word suggests that he is Boyle’s leading favourite for the part.
Should a deal get struck, he’s expected to play former Apple CEO John Sculley. If the actor joins, this would also mark a reunion for him and screenwriter Sorkin, who previously collaborated on HBO’s The Newsroom. As Sorkin’s zappy dialogue is perfectly delivered by Daniels as newscaster Will McAvoy, his casting seems like a no-brainer. With that being said, a slew of big names have already dropped out.
At one point, the story of the film’s production threatened to overshadow the film itself. After the departure of two A-list names (Leonardo DiCaprio and Christian Bale), it was assumed that the worst of the development woes were behind them. Alas, the studio backing the pic – Sony – dropped the film, which was shortly after acquired by Paramount. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, Natalie Portman, who was on board to take the female lead, also exited the movie.
So, who’s left to appear in front of the camera? Recently confirmed in the lead role of Jobs is Michael Fassbender, who is now the third name attached to the part. Long rumoured to be playing Jobs’ right hand man and confidante, Steve Wozniak, is none other than funnyman Seth Rogen. Whether he’s still in the running is uncertain, but there’s no doubt the project needs some confirmed names, especially considering its tumultuous history.
With production slowly gearing up, here’s hoping that Paramount will get a full cast assembled in time for their Steve Jobs pic to begin lensing in spring 2015.
