Spielberg to Direct Autobiographical Childhood Film

[DarkKnight88]

Sources tell Deadline that Spielberg is coming on to direct an untitled pic at Amblin Partners that is loosely based on his childhood growing up in Arizona. Insiders add that Michelle Williams is in negotiations to star in a major role inspired by his mom but with a separate and original voice.

Given how personal the story is, this will also mark the first time since A.I. that Spielberg will partake in screenwriting duties, co-writing the script with Tony Kushner, who has penned several Spielberg movies in the past. The film will start shooting this summer with an expectation that it will be released sometime in 2022.

Steven Spielberg To Direct Pic Loosely Based On His Childhood – Deadline

Spielberg's been working to make a film about his childhood for a long time now, at one point written by his sister. His mom passed away in 2017 and his dad last year.

From a 1999 interview

I ask Spielberg if he might ever make a film that's truly about himself. Yes, he says, somewhat wistfully. It's called ''I'll Be Home.'' It's about his family, written by his sister Anne, who was a co-writer of ''Big.'' Spielberg has considered making ''I'll Be Home'' for years. ''My big fear,'' he explains, ''is that my mom and dad won't like it and will think it's an insult and won't share my loving yet critical point of view about what it was like to grow up with them.''

Steven the Good (Published 1999)

 

[weezerspider]

I think this is going to be his Roma/Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Fetishistic period detail that’s not heavy on plot.

 

[Sawyer]

I feel like a lot of Spielberg’s stuff has sort of filtered bits and pieces of his upbringing through more grand genre concepts, so it’ll be interesting to see him tackle his youth head-on.

 

[Sawyer]

Steven Spielberg’s Movie On Childhood taps Seth Rogen In Uncle Role – Deadline

 

[DarkKnight88]

Steven Spielberg’s Movie On Childhood taps Seth Rogen In Uncle Role – Deadline

Their second “collaboration”...

At 1:33

 

[Pennywise]

Paul Dano To Play Father Role In Steven Spielberg’s Childhood Movie – Deadline
Gabriel LaBelle To Play Young Steven Spielberg in Amblin Biopic – Deadline

 

[Drizzle]

I thought to myself, "Isn't Paul Dano a little young for that type of role?" until I realized he's three years shy of 40.

 

[DarkKnight88]

The casting of the film has been one of the more secretive processes surrounding any project in town, and while Spielberg had an idea of who he wanted for each adult part, he has taken his time meeting with children at multiple age levels for the main leads of the film.

So this will be like Spielberg's Boyhood. Except without the kid aging with the role.

 

[Pennywise]

Julia Butters To Play Steven Spielberg’s Sister In Film Inspired By His Childhood – Deadline

 

[Pennywise]

Steven Spielberg’s Semi-Autobiographical Film Casts Sam Rechner

 

[Pennywise]

Chloe East, Oakes Fegley And Isabelle Kusman Join Spielberg’s New Film – Deadline

 

[Pennywise]

 

[Sawyer]

 

[Sawyer]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

 

[DarkKnight88]

 

[Sawyer]

 

[chamber-music]

Kenneth Brannagh is having a lot of success currently with his autobiographical childhood film Belfast.

 

[OtherwiseKnownAs]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

This is my Avengers

 

[-Arya-]

Awesome. I never thought this would happen.

 

[Sawyer]

 

[DarkKnight88]

Speaking of which, John Williams turns 90 tomorrow!

 

[Drizzle]

I didn't realize Spielberg and Williams haven't collaborated on anything in almost five years. Also crazy how Williams is still in the game at 90. I think he's semi-retired now except for when Spielberg needs him.

 

[DarkKnight88]

Yeah, I think it’s only this and Indiana Jones for him presently. The only non-Spielberg film he’s scored (and non Star Wars/Indiana Jones) was in 2013 with The Book Thief. And 2005 before that with Memoirs of a Geisha.

 

[Drizzle]

Yeah, I think it’s only this and Indiana Jones for him presently. The only non-Spielberg film he’s scored (and non Star Wars/Indiana Jones) was in 2013 with The Book Thief. And 2005 before that with Memoirs of a Geisha.

Honestly, if Williams wanted to completely retire, a one-two punch of Ford's last Indiana Jones movie and a Spielberg autobiopic is a great note for him to go out on. I'm just glad Rise of Skywalker won't be his last score because that one was all over the place and it was no fault of his either.

 

[DarkKnight88]

It would also be nice if either of those (most likely the biopic) get him his 53rd (!) Oscar nomination but his first win since Schindler’s List. What a beautiful bookend that would be. 3 of his 5 Oscar wins have been for Spielberg.