Actor Brandon Flynn has been cast as late Hollywood legend James Dean in the upcoming biopic “Willie and Jimmy Dean.” The film, written and directed by Guy Guido, is based on William Bast’s 2006 memoir “Surviving James Dean” and follows the story of Dean’s relationship with a young man he met at UCLA.
Dean died in a car accident in 1955 at the age of 24, but his legacy lives on through this biopic. The film will focus on Dean’s evolving relationship with Bast, who remained hopeful that they would reunite after five years apart. Guido aims to create a nuanced portrayal of Dean’s life, humanizing him beyond his iconic status.
Flynn praises the script for its honest approach, saying it highlights how Hollywood has forced LGBTQ individuals into performing their identities in public. “This story dares to present James Dean as a man with real, complex relationships,” Flynn notes.
Guido’s team is currently searching for performers to play Bast and his mother, Bernice, who was single at the time of Dean’s rise to fame. The film will explore the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals in the 1950s, when being openly gay was not accepted.
The biopic is set to be released after Guido meets with potential producers, including Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee of Barden/Schnee Casting Agency. With Flynn on board, fans can look forward to a fresh take on Dean’s life that sheds light on his personal struggles and relationships.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-dean-biopic-brandon-flynn-1236297766