Jack Twist to play Leonard Bernstein in ‘The American’

[samhexum]

Jake Gyllenhaal is set to produce and star as Leonard Bernstein in “The American,” with Cary Joji Fukunaga directing and producing.

 

Bron Studios will produce and back the film, which begins principal photography in the fall. Sierra/Affinity will handle international sales of the project during the Cannes Film Market.

 

The screenplay, from Michael Mitnick, is based on the biography “Leonard Bernstein” by Humphrey Burton. In five movements, like a symphony, “The American” follows Bernstein from conducting the New York Philharmonic at the impressive age of 25 through the meteoric rise to fame, all while struggling both personally and publicly to be everything that everyone expected him to be, most of all himself.

 

The project is an original idea, developed by Nine Stories, Gyllenhaal and Riva Marker’s New York-based production company. Gyllenhaal and Marker will produce alongside Bron’s Aaron L. Gilbert, Fukunaga’s Parliament of Owls and Martha Parker. Jason Cloth of Creative Wealth Media, Michael Mitnick and Adam Gopnik are executive producers.

 

“Like many people, Leonard Bernstein found his way into my life and heart through ‘West Side Story’ when I was a kid,” said Gyllenhaal. “But as I got older and started to learn about the scope of his work, I began to understand the extent of his unparalleled contribution and the debt of gratitude modern American culture owes him. As a man, Bernstein was a fascinating figure—full of genius and contradiction—and it will be an incredible honor to tell his story with a talent and friend like Cary.”

 

“Bernstein’s artistic passions changed the way generations understood and appreciated music. It’s been wonderful collaborating with Michael and Jake on Bernstein’s story as we endeavor to capture both the iconic person and artist. Jake is the perfect partner to help bring this story to life and to play this legend,” said Fukunaga.

 

The role would mark another strong dramatic turn for Gyllenhaal who recently received rave reviews for another biopic, “Stronger,” in which he played a survivor from the Boston Marathon bombings.

 

Nine Stories most recently produced Paul Dano’s directorial debut, “Wildlife.” The film, starring Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan, premiered to critical acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival and is the opening-night film for the Cannes Critics’ Week.

 

Bron Studios’ “Leave No Trace,” directed by Oscar nominee Debra Granik, premiered at Sundance and will be featured in this year’s Cannes Director’s Fortnight. “Tully,” directed by Jason Reitman and starring Charlize Theron, will be released by Focus on May 4.

 

Gyllenhaal and Nine Stories are represented by WME and Bloom Hergott. Cary Joji Fukunaga is represented by WME, Anonymous Content and Lichter Grossman Nichols Adler & Feldman.

[hornytwells]

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/periods-genres/film-tv/bradley-cooper-leonard-bernstein-biopic/

[TruthBTold]

I hope that Gyllenhaal goes ahead with his project although it would be hard because of the restrictions on using some of the more famous music. I am not necessarily a Gyllenhaal fan but I think that he really has refined his acting a lot since he started his career. Moreover, I think he sort of looks like Bernstein so that it would be interesting to play him. Considering Bernstein's life there is certainly room for at least two movies depending on what the scripts accent. Once could be about his musical genius and how it affected musical theater and the symphonic world. Another could be about his homosexuality/bisexuality and how it affected his musical world. In either event it will be interesting to see both gentlemen playing this American genius.

[+ WilliamM]

I hope that Gyllenhaal goes ahead with his project although it would be hard because of the restrictions on using some of the more famous music. I am not necessarily a Gyllenhaal fan but I think that he really has refined his acting a lot since he started his career. Moreover, I think he sort of looks like Bernstein so that it would be interesting to play him. Considering Bernstein's life there is certainly room for at least two movies depending on what the scripts accent. Once could be about his musical genius and how it affected musical theater and the symphonic world. Another could be about his homosexuality/bisexuality and how it affected his musical world. In either event it will be interesting to see both gentlemen playing this American genius.

 

Why would a Bernstein film interest younger movie audiences?

 

Perhaps the star power behind the Bradley Cooper version. A saw Cooper as one of that narrators in the Philadelphia Orchestra "Candide" a few weeks ago. He did not clarify the very confusing plot, which would have given a much bigger task. Wish he had tried though.

[TruthBTold]

Why would a Bernstein film interest younger movie audiences?

 

Perhaps the star power behind the Bradley Cooper version. A saw Cooper as one of that narrators in the Philadelphia Orchestra "Candide" a few weeks ago. He did not clarify the very confusing plot, which would have given a much bigger task. Wish he had tried though.

 

You're right. I had never even thought of that. From what I read the Gyllenhaal version (as much as has been formulated) is geared toward the independent film (read, smaller) audience. Thus, if it accents his gay life and the problems it caused him emotionally and professionally they might definitely may find a niche crowd. I would think that it would be more likely that this audience might also be familiar with his artistic achievements. I do not think that the A Star Is Born crowd would necessarily know or care about the same things.

[bostonman]

Why would a Bernstein film interest younger movie audiences?

 

Perhaps the star power behind the Bradley Cooper version. A saw Cooper as one of that narrators in the Philadelphia Orchestra "Candide" a few weeks ago. He did not clarify the very confusing plot, which would have given a much bigger task. Wish he had tried though.

 

I would say that wasn't Cooper's job - that job fell to whoever wrote the narration - which as far as I'm concerned is a thankless task anyway.

[+ WilliamM]

I would say that wasn't Cooper's job - that job fell to whoever wrote the narration - which as far as I'm concerned is a thankless task anyway.

 

Of course, it was not his job. And even if he said something, it was likely too late to make changes. And it was too late to tell Yannick to stick to conducting the Orchestra.

[bostonman]

And it was too late to tell Yannick to stick to conducting the Orchestra.

 

Ha!!