Zachary Quinto to star in GEORGE GERSHWIN biopic with Spielberg eyeing to Direct
Back in October it was announced that Dreamworks had acquired a screenplay by screen-writer Doug Wright (Town House, Memoirs of a Geisha), about composer George Gershwin. Now according to DeadlineHollywood, the studio has tapped Zachary Quinto (Star Trek, Heroes) to play the famed composer.
A DreamWorks insider also says Gershwin is one of 3 projects Dreamworks head Steven Spielberg is setting up as possible directing vehicles, anxious to get back to work after scrapping his Harvey remake. Spielberg is also producing a Martin Luther King Jr. biopic, but no word on whether or not this is one of the other projects he is looking to direct.
George Gershwin wrote more than a dozen Broadway shows with his older brother Ira Gershwin. George passed away in Hollywood in 1937 at age 38. DreamWorks is supplying accent and dialogue coaches for Quinto, to help in his portrayal of Gershwin, who was the child of Russian immigrants, and was raised in Brooklyn. Movie magic or a lot of practice may have to play a part in giving Quinto some piano skills as well. I don't know if he already plays piano, but on Star Trek they had to glue his fingers together since he couldn't pull off Spock's signature Vulcan salute.
Marc Platt (Wanted) is producing alongside singer, pianist and Gershwin expert, Michael Feinstein. Feinstein worked for Ira Gershwin cataloging his collection of phonograph records, spending six years excavating Ira's home, archiving the Gershwins' works. In addition, Feinstein has recorded several albums of Gershwin music over the years.
Shooting could begin on Gershwin as soon as April.
Quinto would probably have to slim down for the role, but I think he makes for a great choice! If Spielberg does come on board to direct, this film will have plenty of power behind it. Because I'm not a fan of most biopics in general, I'm hoping they just focus on a specific time period in Gershwin's tragically short life.
What do you think of Quinto starring as George Gershwin? What do you think of Spielberg possibly directing?