MOVIE NEWS – Following the disappointing box office and critical failure of Damien Chazelle’s extravagant 2022 epic, Babylon, attention has turned to his upcoming biopic of legendary stuntman Evel Knievel. Reports previously linked Leonardo DiCaprio to the project, but now recent Oscar-winner Adrien Brody is reportedly in preliminary talks, signaling that Chazelle still holds strong appeal among Hollywood’s elite.

Deadline recently reported that Adrien Brody is in very early negotiations to join Chazelle’s project titled Evel Knievel on Tour. Details regarding Brody’s exact role remain unclear, and Deadline stresses that discussions are still in initial stages, with nothing confirmed. Likewise, Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly maintains interest, although no concrete developments have occurred with the acclaimed actor either. Nevertheless, the involvement of such prominent figures indicates Chazelle’s enduring pull despite recent setbacks.

Whether Brody ends up portraying the legendary Knievel himself or takes on another significant part in what could potentially become an ensemble piece, his involvement would generate considerable buzz. Brody recently secured an Oscar for Best Actor for his outstanding performance in Brady Corbet’s acclaimed drama The Brutalist, significantly raising his profile and expanding career opportunities.

Damien Chazelle Returns to His Biopic Roots

This Evel Knievel biopic wouldn’t be Chazelle’s first exploration of a famous life story. In 2018, Chazelle directed First Man, a carefully detailed depiction of Neil Armstrong’s journey to the moon, featuring a quietly intense performance from Ryan Gosling. The film’s critical success demonstrated Chazelle’s ability to shift from vibrant musicals like Whiplash and La La Land to grounded, historically focused narratives.

Chazelle’s Evel Knievel film could offer another opportunity to showcase his skill in crafting intimate, compelling portraits of larger-than-life individuals. Paramount still seems confident in the filmmaker, although it’s unlikely he’ll tackle projects of the same massive scale as Babylon anytime soon. As Chazelle candidly reflected in the Talking Pictures Podcast: “Financially speaking, Babylon clearly didn’t succeed. You try not to let that influence your next creative choices, but inevitably, it does to some extent. And perhaps that’s okay?”

All eyes now are on whether Brody, DiCaprio, or possibly both will officially join the project, and what timeline the production may follow. Given their considerable talents, seeing either star work alongside Chazelle certainly promises compelling cinema ahead.

Source: Deadline