A couple years ago Jeremy Renner was an actor best known for being the villain in SWAT opposite Colin Farrell and Samuel L Jackson. Now, two Oscar nominations later, the actor is knee deep in high profile projects. With the latest Mission: Impossible franchise being groomed for his eventual takeover, a title role in Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters currently being filmed and the part of Hawkeye in next year’s Avengers on the way, Renner has gone from no-list to A-list in a short amount of time. Throw in Tony Gilroy’s The Bourne Legacy and voice work in Ice Age: Continental Drift and you’d think he’d have plenty on his plate for the next couple years.
Wrong, at least what the Hollywood Reporter is saying. And he’s aiming high: Steve McQueen.
Renner has formed his own production company, The Combine, to put together a biopic of one of the great stars of yesteryear in McQueen. Using two books by Marshall Terrill, “Portrait of an American Rebel” and “The Life and Legend of a Hollywood Icon,” Renner is attached to star and produce in the film which will also mark the feature film directorial debut of Ivan Zacharias.
What does this mean? If you’re doing a biopic of someone famous, McQueen is a gutsy choice. Renner has the sort of physical charm and rugged looks of a McQueen type, which doesn’t hurt, and if you’re going to portray a famous actor of yesteryear McQueen is a great choice.
