The automotive world is filled with exotic names, but there's only one exotic builder that is truly known the world over: Ferrari. This evergreen exotic sports car builder is one of the most famous car manufacturers in the world, and this year celebrates its 75th anniversary. In that time the iconic brand has blessed us with cars such as the Ferrari 250 GTO, Ferrari F40, and LaFerrari. Ferrari simply won't stop making history: the Daytona SP3 has recently been voted most beautiful sports car of the year and the brand's first-ever SUV, the Purosange, is inching closer toward production. To celebrate the colossal success story that is Ferrari, Michael Mann's Passion Project Ferrari has now received the green light thanks to a big domestic deal with STX, and aims to pay the highest tribute to racing mogul and Italian demigod Enzo Ferrari.
The movie promises to be rather epic: Mann has been working on this project for nearly two decades, and big names are set to feature in this historic look at Mr. Enzo's career during the most tumultuous era of Ferrari's history. Star Wars and House of Gucci actor Adam Driver will be taking over the title role from Hugh Jackman, and he will be joined by Oscar winner Penelope Cruz and Emmy nominee Shailene Woodley. Cruz will play Enzo's wife Laura, while Woodley will fill the role of Enzo's mistress Lina Lardi. Mann is getting ready to start filing in Italy this coming May.
The movie will be set during the summer of 1957, a period when Enzo Ferrari is facing mounting financial woes, which puts pressure on Enzo's marriage to Laura. The loss of a son and the birth of another adds to the intense dynamic of the film, and the culmination of Enzo's troubles is eventually laid bare at the infamous Mille Miglia.
Mann will direct from Troy Kennedy's script, which has famously been through numerous changes and will be produced by Moto productions as well as J. van Sandwijk, John Lesher, Lars Sylvest, Thorsten Schumacher, and Gareth West. Niels Juul will fill the role of executive producer.
"Being able to have these wonderfully talented artists, actors Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz and Shailene Woodley, bring to life these unique characters on location in Modena and the Emilia-Romagna is a vision fulfilled," Michael Mann said at a recent press event.
"Ferrari is so much more than a story about a man and his machine. It is an extraordinary and emotional story that Michael has been developing for years and the entire team at STX is looking forward to the start of production with this dream cast and filmmaker. Adam Driver is one of the most talented and fascinating actors working today, and we could not be more thrilled to pair him with Penelope, whose legendary career builds with every role she takes," said Adam Fogelson, Chairman of STXfilms Motion Picture Group. Ford v Ferrari set the bar quite high, but we've got big hopes for this film.