The producer of the upcoming independent movie about Steve Jobs has spoken about the plans for the film, and the reasons for choosing Ashton Kutcher as its star.
Jobs: Get Inspired(working title) was first thought of when Steve Jobs resigned fromApple in August 2011.
“On the day that his retirement was announced… I noticed that thebuzz about his retirement consumed our creative and IT staff for theentire day. I had never seen anything like that reaction. That was thespark. We immediately began researching and writing the screenplay,”said the film’s producer, Mark Hulme, in an interview with Neowin.net.
Kutcher is also the right age to play a 70s era Jobs, says producer Mark Hulme.
The movie will focus on the early years of Apple, from 1971 – 2000,Hulme revealed. This is one of the reasons Hulme believes AshtonKutcher is the right man to play the role of Steve Jobs.
“Since our film covers the early years of Apple, when Jobs was in his20’s, we needed an actor who could carry not only theyouthfulness ofJobs at the time but also the psychological complexity. Because ofthat, and Ashton’s physical similarities to Jobs, he’s perfect for ourfilm,” said Hulme.
“When Ashton read the script he was immediately attracted to theproject. He is a Steve Jobs and Apple fan and is technologically savvy,as well, so he recognised the historical importance of Steve Jobs andthe potential of the project. He is very excited to have the role.”
Sony is also planning a movie about Steve Jobs’ life, based on WalterIsaacson’s best selling authorised biography of Jobs. Whenaskedwhether he is worried about this competition, Hulme said: “Sony is ahighly respected company, and Isaacson’s book is a great read. But ourproject was in development even before the release of Isaacson’s book,and our movie will be out well before their movie.”
“We have purposed for the movie to be an accurate and inspirationalportrayal of his fascinating life and the huge impact he had on theworld, so yes we expect his family and friends to appreciate it,” addedHulme.
The film will be filmed in Los Angeles, and is set to be releasedtowards the end of 2012.
5reasons film might be terrible
Despite Hulme’s confidence in Jobs:Get Inspired, Cult of Mac haspublished five reasons why it thinks the film will be terrible.
The first reason, says the report, is that the movie will be Hulme’sfirst venture into the film industry. He is the founder of Five StarInstitute, a publishing, marketing, communications, and conferenceproduction company, which specialises in mortgages.
Second, Cult of Mac thinks that the period of 1971-2000 will make thefilm too similar to the Piratesof Silicon Valley, a 1999 film alsoabout the life of Steve Jobs.
Third, the film has been written by Matt Whitely, and is his firstscreenplay. The director, Joshua Michael Stern is also not well known.His most famous movie, SwingVote, which starred Kevin Costner, was abox office flop. And his 2005 film, Neverwas, skippedcinemasaltogether and went straight to DVD.
Fourth, the working title, Jobs:Get Inspired, is not very inspiring at all.
Finally, Cult of Mac points out that the film probably won’t becritical of Jobs, and will be produced to commemorate his life instead.
We’re holding off judgment until the film’s release later in the year.