Jeremy Allen White could get the chance to turn his Gene Wilder resemblance into something more. With a Wilder biopic now in development, White has revealed he would want to jump at the opportunity to play the comedy legend.
Now, as a new project about the legendary performer moves forward, the conversation around White’s Gene Wilder connection has gained renewed attention. White was asked during an appearance on Today whether he would consider playing Wilder.
“Absolutely, it would be my honor,” he said. “‘Young Frankenstein’ is one of my earliest film memories. ‘Blazing Saddles’ — he was a genius; it would be an honor. I love him, I’ve always loved him. I need the call.”
The Bear star made it clear that he would welcome the opportunity. The actor also joked that he is waiting for the call and is “manifesting” the role. “I’m not related to Gene Wilder,” White said earlier. “I think a lot of people think I am.”
The Wilder biopic is currently in development, with Dito Montiel attached to direct and Jeremy Roth set to write the screenplay. Wilder died in 2016 at age 83.
Jeremy Allen White opens up about the pressure of playing real people
White’s interest in playing Wilder comes after he has already portrayed several real-life people. He portrayed Bruce Springsteen in Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, a role he described as rewarding but extremely demanding because of the responsibility of portraying such a well-known figure.
That experience made White cautious about immediately taking another role based on a real individual. He recently discussed that hesitation while promoting The Social Reckoning, in which he plays Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz.
“I had a little hesitation,” White admitted. “I did a film called Deliver Me From Nowhere playing Bruce Springsteen, a very public person, a very beloved person, a well-known person. It was a wonderful experience, but it was a tremendous amount of pressure.”
However, while working with Aaron Sorkin on The Social Reckoning, White found a way to ease those concerns. The director encouraged White to understand Horwitz through research rather than relying on direct mimicry. The approach allowed White to balance authenticity with his own interpretation of Horwitz.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.net.
