The Curious Case of Brad Pitt as Steve McQueen

Posted by Dr. Cole Abaius (cole.abaius@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 25, 2009

bradpittstevemcqueen

Since it’s a glorious Memorial Day Weekend, Neil and I ended up watching Bullitt on Blu-ray yesterday, reliving the genius of Steve McQueen. Who else could make waking up look bad ass? No one. That’s your answer.

Which is why a biopic of the actor is such a great and terrible idea. We reported back in March that there were actually two projects in the works, one based off a memoir from his first wife, Neile McQueen Toffel, and the other based off the biography “Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel” written by Marshall Terrill.

It would be fantastic to see a project shine a greater spotlight on this American icon, but the problem – as usual – is finding just the right actor to play the part. It would have to be someone who can pull the camera’s gaze even when he’s in the background of a scene, and that’s a rare quality these days.

While stumbling drunkenly through the internet, I hit a news story from The Playlist that linked back to a Classic Autos Examiner out of Dallas that proclaims pretty straightforwardly (and without mentioning any source) that Brad Pitt will be the one stepping into the driver’s seat.

It’s totally unfounded (although the Examiner article is really cool if you dig classic cars), but it’s got me thinking. Is Brad Pitt really the right guy to play Steve McQueen? I’m not sure. One the upside, he is one of the few actors today that can really command charisma – plus, through the use of digital technology, he’d be able to play McQueen at all stages of his life. On the downside, Pitt’s celebrity might actually overshadow the part, a weird sort of catch-22 for anyone playing the role.

What do you think? Who on the planet could play Steve McQueen?

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TonyRockyHorror

there really isn't any middleground for a role like this. you either go ultra-unknown actor so that their previous work doesn't cast any light on the character, or you go with someone like pitt, who has the acting ability, the looks, the charisma, and the credibility to have earned the role.

and i feel like pitt would be perfect. he's certainly the modern day version of McQueen, if not quite at his level of cool. but a lot of that cool factor and awesomeness that we lavish on his Steveness, deservedly so for the most part, is also partly us romanticizing the past, sometimes unfoundedly.

VICE

GIVE DAMIEN LEWIS A CALL ASAP!!!!!! When I first saw him as Dick Winters in HBO's Band of Brothers miniseries, I noticed instantly how much he looked like the man. And then watching him work the detective beat in Life sealed it. No, he's not a movie star, he's just a damned good actor who'd be the spot on choice.
Pitt's cool. I just don't see him carrying the essence of McQueen...The dude Re-Defined "Bad ass Motherfucker!" - they even used his wallet in Pulp Fiction! (j/k to those who are too serious) Damien Lewis should be brought up to Movie-Star Ranks....even Daniel Craig would be better!!!! PLZ NOT BRANGELINA PITT!!!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

PHiL

Daniel Craig.

Looks like Queen and has a strong stature about himself on screen. He's got the right look for Queen, the right hair, and the right eyes-why not him. Perfect.

Why Brad Pitt? Why?

Phoghat

Pitt might be a good choice, but McQueen is sort of a superhero after all, and like all superhero movies sometimes it's better to go with an unknown actor who will make the role his signature.

Vivian

I agree with Phil. It's gotta be Daniel Craig.

nano X

---Nearly 50 and long rich --is this the best Pitt can come up with? --movies about other stars?

Seems not a single star of our 70's and 80's ilk has it in them come with any depth ---or originality.

Sad Sad ----$$$ad...

Ron

Why not give Steve's son Chad a look? Relatively unknown and has the family gene.

The Curious Case of Brad Pitt as Steve McQueen

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