Hugh Jackman in talks to headline racing drama 'Ferrari'

Hollywood star Hugh Jackman is in negotiations to play Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari in Michael Mann's upcoming racing drama.

Titled "Ferrari", film is based on Brock Yates' book "Enzo Ferrari Man and Machine", reported Variety.

script is originally written by late Troy Kennedy Martin of " Italian Job" fame and has been reworked by Mann.

film is set in 1957 when Ferrari's life both on track and at home started to fall apart. company he and his wife Laura had built was struggling and his stormy marri had been rocked by death of ir son, Di, and his affair with Lina Lardi, with whom he had a second son, Piero.

Meanwhile, Ferrari was preparing for a gruelling and dangerous race across Italy, Mille Miglia.

STX will distribute film in UK and Ireland, with Amazon eyeing certain international rights. Principal photography is expected to begin in spring of 2021.

"'Ferrari' is story of one summer in 1957 when all dynamic forces in Enzo Ferrari's life as combustible and volatile as race cars he builds collide.

"Mann will bring his passion for extraordinarily vivid characters and dangerous world of motor racing in 1950s to create an epic, cinematic experience," STX said in a statement.

Mann will produce through his production company Forward Pass, along with "Birdman" producer John Lesher, Lars Sylvest, Thorsten Schumacher, Gareth West and Niels Juul.

Interestingly, James Mangold, who directed Jackman's final outing as X-Men mutant Wolverine in "Logan", helmed 2019 racing drama "Ford v Ferrari". Italian actor Remo Girone played Ferrari in movie.

film centred around feud between Henry Ford II and Enzo Ferrari as y both competed to win Le Mans World Championship in France in 1966.

"Ford v Ferrari", starring Christian Bale and Matt Damon, won Oscars in best film editing and sound editing categories.

Im credit: AP