Jeremy Allen White is putting down his chef’s apron and picking up a guitar. Not just any guitar, though. He’s picking up one of the most important instruments in history. The Bear star is playing The Boss himself in an upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic. And now we know what that will literally look like. 20th Century Studios shared the first image of Jeremy Allen White as the legendary musician from the start of production on Deliver Me from Nowhere, which will tell the story of Bruce Springsteen’s life.
Filming is now underway on director Scoot Cooper’s (Crazy Heart, Black Mass) next film. He’s adapting author Warren Zanes’ book about the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 album Nebraska. Deliver Me from Nowhere will see the Emmy-winning Jeremy Allen White, who recently portrayed another real person as Kerry Von Erich in The Iron Claw, take on the role of Springsteen, a true rock ‘n’ roll icon.
This first look at Allen White as The Boss doesn’t reveal much about the Bruce Springsteen biopic. Nor will it confuse anyone about which famous celebrity they are seeing. But it does begin the process of making audiences think of The Bear actor as one of the most important musicians ever.
In a press release, Cooper talked about starting production and why this album is so important to him personally:
Beginning production on this film is an incredibly humbling and thrilling journey. Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska has profoundly shaped my artistic vision. The album’s raw, unvarnished portrayal of life’s trials and resilience resonates deeply with me. Our film aims to capture that same spirit, bringing Warren Zanes’ compelling narrative of Bruce’s life to the screen with authenticity and hope, honoring Bruce’s legacy in a transformative cinematic experience. It has been a great pleasure to collaborate with Bruce and Jon [Landau] as I tell their story, and their creative energy fuels every part of this journey.
In addition to Jeremy Allen White, the film also stars Jeremy Strong as Springsteen’s long-time mentor and manager, Jon Landau. Paul Walter Hauser will play guitar tech Mike Batlan. Odessa Young will join them as Faye, “a formative love interest in Springsteen’s life.” Sir Stephen Graham will star as Springsteen’s father. And Johnny Cannizzaro also booked a gig as The E Street Band’s Stevie Van Zandt.
Filming is, fittingly, underway in New Jersey and New York, with additional production scheduled for Los Angeles. We’ll be excited to see more glimpses of Jeremy Allen White’s Bruce Springsteen sometime soon.
