Paging Mr. McQueen: Biopics we'd like to see

Ama Sat, Jun 27, 2009 at 09:42 PM EST

Jesse L. Martin's been publicly asking for a Marvin Gaye biopic since 1996. He's finally got one, but the release date was just moved from 2010 to 2011... We want it now! I ran across a picture of Marvin Gaye at a piano, looking up, and I swear I did a double-take and thought it was Jesse. Add that to his singing voice... that man is made for a Gaye bio.

Kerry Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 01:47 PM EST

Yes, Damian Lewis would be completely perfect as McQueen. I can see the poster now.....

So much so I made one: http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8164/damianasmcqueencopyxn3.jpg

Steve Blackmon Sun, Dec 9, 2007 at 01:30 AM EST

Rakeem. You're right about getting good Marting Luther King, Jr. Movie and the man to do it hasn't even been discovered. He lives in a town called Fayetteville, NC. You gotta hear his rendition of Dr. King. Go to You Tube and type Stephon Ferguson in the search box. Click on MLK performance. Tellme what you think...

saucybetty Tue, Nov 13, 2007 at 04:55 PM EST

@trixkidz...thanks for making my day.

As for biopics...there absolutely MUST be one made of Anita Pallenberg who's more fascinating than Mick and Keith put together. As for who should play her? Monet Mazur already did a respectable job. I would say Sienna Miller if she had more of an Angelina Jolie type wild streak. I'm at a loss for casting.

Lisa Tue, Nov 6, 2007 at 10:55 PM EST

Absolutely Damian Lewis should play McQueen. Not only is Mr. Lewis a deadringer for McQueen, but if anyone is as COOL as Steve McQueen was, it's Damian Lewis!

Jemima Thu, Oct 18, 2007 at 11:04 AM EST

Daniel Craig? No. He's cool but in an intense, clenched kind of way, not McQuen at all. Damian has the laidback McQueen vibe nailed. Neither of them look like McQueen, but at a stretch, the shape of Damian's face is more like McQueen. McQueen's eye were way bigger. Daniel Craig is way off, even in the looks department.

Sallylou Thu, Oct 18, 2007 at 08:16 AM EST

I think a tremendous biopic could be made about Marlene Dietrich, one of the most intriguing women ever in the movies. Her rise in the movies, her career, her love life (really interesting there!), her family life -- and World War II, where she entertained the Allied troops after the Nazis had tried to recruit her for their side.

The ultimate Marlene movie could be the ultimate Madonna starring role - it would be perfect!

Rakeem Wed, Oct 17, 2007 at 11:47 AM EST

Attempts at portraying Martin Luther King on screen have been made, but it's time we get one that's actually good! We need as good a pic about MLK as what was done for Malcolm X, spike Lee would be the obvious choice to direct (and he'd be great) but someone like Kasi Lemmons or (dare to dream) Scorcese would rock too! I would love to see a film about Walt Disney, could you imagine how great a film about him would be if someone like Michel Gondry or Marc Forster handled it?

Rich Mychajlowycz Wed, Oct 17, 2007 at 11:16 AM EST

Damian Lewis is an o.k. choice, but how about Daniel Craig as Steve McQueen? He's a close physical approximation of him, has the cool thing down in spades, is a badass and a first-rate actor to boot. Not to mention a fashion plate. If they ever re-do THE GREAT ESCAPE, can you picture anyone else as Virgil Hilts!

Nancy Walker Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 11:05 PM EST

Steve Mcqueen was a wonderful actor. He should be played by a top notch actor. Your pick seems good enough-hope he can pull it off. The last movie I remember him in was the Towering Inferno.

Chelsea Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 10:58 PM EST

Oooh..an Elizabeth Taylor one certainly would be juicy..but I don't think she'd every agree to letting one happen, atleast when she's alive. (She's certainly been loopy lately, has anybody since the "Now I'm going to howl" clip?) Anyways, a Liz movie would certainly be Oscar material for any actress that took it on. Her child actor career..Her loyal friendships with Montgomery Cliff and Rock Hudson.. All her marriages (The abusive with the young Hilton playboy, the death of the director-husband she truly loved in a plane crash, marrying that husband's best friend much to the chagrin of the woman he left for Elizabeth, Debbie Reynolds, her great lasting love for Richard Burton, etc..)Not to mention her charity work for Aids, and her odd friendship with Michael Jackson. It's a goldmine!

Babuda Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 07:20 PM EST

How about no more biopics? They're played out. Just watch Biography or something. Truth is better than fiction!

Joey Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 07:15 PM EST

um hello? I read a while ago (ON EW.COM) that there's already plans to make a Marvin Gaye biopic staring Jesse.

Good job.

Kathy Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 07:06 PM EST

I would love to see the Stevie Ray Vaughn story. Classic blues, drinking and drugs, rehab and then killed in a helicopter crash. The music alone would be amazing.

trixkidz Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 06:47 PM EST

A STANCE TOO WIDE - bio pic of Sen. Larry Craig starring Craig T. Nelson.

PROPS: THE CARROT TOP STORY - bio pic of comedian Carrot Top played by Danny Bonaduce.

A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY, A LITTLE BIT ROCK N ROLL - THE DONNY AND MARIE STORY - bio pic of Donny and Marie Osmond with Jon Heder and elly Clarkson.

NO, I'M NOT HAPPY TO SEE YOU, THIS ACTUALLY IS A GUN IN MY POCKET - THE PHIL SPECTOR STORY with Clay Aiken.

Bennie Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 06:27 PM EST

I think the one that really deserves a biopic is Wendy O'williams from The Plasmatics. She was one of the really true rocker chicks, she even performed her own stunts in her videos. Of course all that stop the moment when she took her microphone stand in front of people in one of her concerts and performed a faux masturbation act. She was charged with lewd conduct and she was beaten by the police for resisting arrest. She later commited suicide. I think Uma Thurman would be perfect.

Maureen Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 05:36 PM EST

LOVE Damian Lewis and Life. And for those of you who haven't seen Band of Brothers, the History Channel re-runs it frequently. It's on my Must List. I agree with Tory on Bloom/Flynn and Clooney/Gable. I couldn't stop thinking of Gable when watching "O Brother Where Art Thou."

Michael Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 03:59 PM EST

I think a feature film about Judy Garland would be amazing....The TV film was amazing, but I think a feature could further delve and show a lot more than was shown for television audiences....

Stephanie T. Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 03:40 PM EST

Can we get an ABBA biopic?

Gretchen Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 03:26 PM EST

Jesse L Martin as Marvin Gaye would be a perfect fit - Jesse even has a great voice! (see RENT!!)

Tory Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 02:46 PM EST

The first time I saw him onscreen I thought Orlando Bloom could play Errol Flynn. Also George Clooney would be awesome in a biopic of Clark Gable.

Lesley Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 02:21 PM EST

I've always thought it was strange that the only person whose tried to make a biopic about Stevie Nicks is Lindsay Lohan. There has to be somebody better than that interested. The woman's life is fascinating and would make a great movie (provided Lohan doesn't play her).

Katy Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 01:05 PM EST

Lana Turner!

Tim Underwood Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 01:04 PM EST

Dennis Farina in the Hal Linden biopic? For the Barney Miller scenes (and keeping with using Law & Order actors), B.D. Wong could do a mean Jack Soo.

peach Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 12:41 PM EST

Personally, I'd like to see more biopics about women musicians.If you only watched movies and never listened to music, you'd think that Tina Turner, Loretta Lynne, and Patsy Cline were the only women musicians in existance!

Chrissie Hynde, The Runaways, Tammy Wynette and Marianne Faithfull would all make for kickass bio-pics. And what about that long rumored Sarah Vaughn film? Grab Jennifer Hudson and get it started!

RM Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 12:39 PM EST

It's a crime a Bob Marley biopic hasn't been made yet. Maybe Rita's holding out for more cash. Ben Harper could pull it off, if he's got the acting chops. Not sure about actors.

Ned Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 12:06 PM EST

Peter Dinklage with a blond dye job would be perfect for Steve McQueen, I know he's a little too tall, but everybody else could slouch a little bit.

Anna Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 11:18 AM EST

Jesse L Martin already got cast in a biopic about Marvin Gaye. It's due out next year.

Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 11:14 AM EST

I know everyone is commenting on musicians, actors/actresses, and politicians but I have two sports figures who deserve biopics. Mickey Mantle and Larry Bird. Both intriguing stories, Mantle more for his career after baseball and his personal demons and Bird's more for his childhood and teenage years before getting drafted by the Celtics and the rags to riches story(dirt poor in basketball rich Indiana, Father's suicide, Working for Streets Department after leaving IU/Bobby Knight, child while at ISU/early marriage in college, and meeting with Magic in 1979 championship which revolutionized not only March Madness but the NBA).

Media Maven Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 11:06 AM EST

I agree. Daniel Craig is more Steve McQueen than Damien Lewis.

Martha Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 10:56 AM EST

How about a biopic on Ella Fitzgerald? She had a really interesting, tough life...maybe with Jennifer Hudson or Queen Latifah. Added bonus: listening to Ella songs for two hours...

Nix Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 10:56 AM EST

Heck, I still want him and all the rest of 'em to do a sequel to Band of Brothers -- some of that juicy postwar angst they all went through. C'mon, he went to work for his super-rich best friend -- and got a gun drawn on him by said friend's super-rich evil dad! In a dressing gown! In a lake mansion! With a mistress! Can't make this stuff up!

LisaMama Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 10:45 AM EST

Is anything happening with the Janis Joplin movie?

Stephanie T. Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 10:39 AM EST

I can see an Iggy Pop Biopic and have Anthony Kedis play the role of Iggy. At least he would do something decent for a change. RHCP lost their funkyness.

Stephanie T. Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 10:37 AM EST

The only person suitable for a Steve McQueen Biopic is Daniel Craig. He could pass as his son, that's how identical he looks.

snarky Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 10:36 AM EST

What about the Biggie Smalls movie? What ever hapened to that rumor? I am not a huge rap fan, but I would see that. I would love to see the Liz Taylor movie.

Chad Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 10:33 AM EST

I would love to see a Elizabeth Taylor biopic. Maybe with Rose Byrne from "Damages."

GeeMoney Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 10:21 AM EST

Michael Jackson (yes, I know that they did one on his family, but I would loooove to see one just about him)!

Rahul Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 09:42 AM EST

Yeah, I just rewatched a few installments of 'Band of Brothers' on the History Channel, and Lewis would be the perfect choice. Good call Marc.

EE Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 09:34 AM EST

Damien Lewis's work in Band of Brothers was utterly fantastic - he's one of my favorite actors for that role alone.

On another note - is it just me, or does Lindsay Lohan strike you as our generation's Elizabeth Taylor? Both gained their fame as uniquely beautiful (and talented) teen actresses, only to become more famous for their dating lives and various scandals?

tex mex Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 09:23 AM EST

I don't have anything to add about biopics but want to thank you for the shout-out to Life, a great tv show, and Damien Lewis, who is awesome.

Jack Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 09:22 AM EST

John DeLorean and the DMC-12! Think about it, a movie about John would have all the trappings of a great drama (think along the lines of Tucker): a self-made man who rose from virtual poverty in Detroit to become second in command in at one of the country's largest automakers (GM) before leaving it all behind to start his own company. Throw in the lavish lifestyle, the women he dated, the stars he knew, the cocaine scandal (very ambiguous on that part--leave it up to the viewer to decide did he do it willingly or FBI entrapment?!?), and eventual crash of the company (and current revival) and WHAM! Instant critically acclaimed movie.

Joshua Coker Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 09:21 AM EST

They are so many biopics I'd like to see: Bonaparte (about the enigmatic Corsican general), Ulyssus S. Grant, Benedict Arnold, Eleanor Roosevelt (exploring the lesbian theory) for starters. I also think an Elton John or Mick Jagger biopic could be fun.

J Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 09:16 AM EST

As much as I love Daniel, I think Damian is a better fit for McQueen. Would love to see Terrence Howard as Jimi Hendrix (instead of Andre 3000). I would like to Jennifer Connolly/Catherine Zeta Jones or Emily Blunt as Elizabeth Taylor

Rey Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 08:59 AM EST

since music icons are the new flavor of biopics. who better than the greatest rock band EVER!!! a beatles movie would be awesome. the movie should only focus on the absolute height and the beak up. milo ventimigilia can play george. everyone else is a toss up.

Zac Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 08:52 AM EST

Absolutely. Jesse L. Martin as Marvin Gaye would be a perfect match. Jesse even looks like Marvin Gaye.

Zane Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 08:45 AM EST

C'mon....McQueen? Kevin McKidd ("Journeyman", "Rome") or Anthony Micheal Hall.

Binky Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 08:38 AM EST

I think Lewis's McQueen look is precisely why I was expecting the character in "Life" to be more of a generic "tough guy" character, and not the wonderfully loopy character Lewis and the writers have created. (Not that McQueen was generic, but when Hollywood looks for a "McQueen type," it is gonna end up with a generic tough guy.)

Ceballos Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 08:34 AM EST

I thought they WERE making a Marvin Gaye movie with Jesse L. Martin. Is that not happening? If so, that would be a shame.

I also think Daniel Craig would make a better Steve McQueen, although Damien Lewis is a very good actor (despite his embarrassingly bad work in "Dreamcatcher"...ugh!)

Also, how about a Bob Barker biopic...i can't imagine who'd play him, but when I think about it, I watched the guy, basically, all my life and I don't really know that much about him at all outside of TPIR, fistfights with Adam Sandler, and the occasional pseudo sex scandal with one of his beauties (which could be juicy stuff).

junior Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 08:34 AM EST

Marc, you need to make an appointment at your local Lens Crafters. As Marci said, Daniel Craig not only looks like McQueen more but would make a better choice.

Chris Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 08:13 AM EST

Mitch Hedber!

Joe C Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 08:05 AM EST

How about Mick Jagger? As legendary a figure as he is, no one knows that much about him. If Mick were to cooperate, that would really be cool. Who to play him? No idea; I can't come up with EVERYTHING!

Marci Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 07:49 AM EST

I've always thought Daniel Craig looked a lot like Steve McQueen, not so much in the above picture, but in a lot of other ones.