Tweet

Competing Hollywood biopics are gearing up to commemorate the iconic life of Steve McQueen, as the 30th anniversary of his death nears in 2010.

The Hollywood Reporter says the first project, titled My Husband My Friend, is being developed by McQueen’s former publicist David Foster with Roderick and Bruce Taylor, writers of The Brave One, working on the script. It’s based on a memoir written by Neile McQueen Toffel, the star’s first wife.

The second  is to be penned by Jesse Wigutow for producers Michael Cerenzie and Christine Peters. It will be based on Marshall Terrill’s biography Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel. Joining the project as producers are Paramount and Brian Oliver and Chuck Rock of Arthaus Pictures.

Wigutow’s script will chronicle the scope of McQueen’s life, from his early days in reform school to his death from cancer in 1980 at age 50. “McQueen wasn’t only the leading man of his era, he was the prototype for the modern-day movie star,” Wigutow said.

No word yet on a director or a star, both of which the producers hope to have in place in time for a fall star on production. We’d like to suggest an American-accented Daniel Craig for the latter.

Who would you like to see direct and star in the movie?