WORDS: ELLIOTT HUGHES | PHOTOGRAPHY: ferrari
A new biopic documenting the life of Enzo Ferrari has been confirmed. Entitled Ferrari, the film is a long-awaited passion project of American director Michael Mann, who gained fame for his work on Heat and Miami Vice.
The news comes after Mann signed domestic and international distribution deals with STXfilms. It was then announced that the upcoming movie will have a star-studded cast headlined by Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz and Shailene Woodley. Principal photography is scheduled to take place in Italy in May.
According to Deadline, the movie is set in the summer of 1957 and based on the 1991 book Enzo Ferrari: The Man, The Cars, The Races, The Machine by Brock Yates. In essence, the narrative charts how Enzo Ferrari overcame the loss of his son Alfredo ‘Dino’ Ferrari and the threat of bankruptcy by gambling on victory at the 1957 Mille Miglia – a race beset with tragedy.
Oscar nominee and Star Wars actor Adam Driver is expected to play the lead role as Enzo, replacing Hugh Jackman. Penélope Cruz is set to play Enzo’s wife Laura, and Shailene Woodley has been cast as Lina Lardi, the mother of Enzo’s illegitimate child, Piero.
The film’s confirmation follows seven years of rumours, false starts and multiple iterations, but this is reportedly the furthest stage of development the project has ever reached. Michael Mann’s passion for Ferrari is well documented, and in 2008 he produced a trailer for the release of the Ferrari California.
Michael Mann told Deadline that: “Being able to have these wonderfully talented artists – actors Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz and Shailene Woodley – bring to life these unique characters on location in Modena and the Emilia-Romagna is a vision fulfilled.”
Despite the good news, there is no fixed timeline for the film’s release – but more news is expected later in 2022. Stay tuned.
