The last few days have revealed plans of a biopic of the 1976 Formula 1 World Champion, James Hunt.
Production company DreamWorks have commissioned the project that is to be based on Tom Rubython’s highly criticised 2010 biography of the driver, Shunt; however script writers have yet to be brought in on the work.
Young English actor Alex Pettyfer is to play the lead, with rumours of Steven Spielberg directing.
Is this really necessary? Will this be a Hollywood-ised version of James Hunt’s admittedly active social life; another Driven? And why Hunt? The Englishman was an excellent driver, but there appears to be a drive to base the film around his epic private life.
While wishing the production team the best, I remain suspicious about a project’s intentions when the director, producers and lead actors have been cast, before a script has even been started.
Hunt won the 1976 title with McLaren, following a year long battle against Ferrari’s Niki Lauda.
