Untitled Bruce McLaren biopic

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Untitled Bruce McLaren biopic
Produced by	Barrie Osborne
Written by	Matthew Grainger
Release date(s)	2009
Country	New Zealand
Language	English
Budget	NZ$140,000,000

Untitled Bruce McLaren biopic is an announced biographical film dramatising the life of New Zealand Formula One driver and Team McLaren founder Bruce McLaren. Academy Award winner Barrie Osborne has confirmed he will produce the film with the script to be written by Matthew Grainger. The movie has an estimated budget of NZ$140 million coming from a group of private New Zealand. investors.^[1]

Preproduction will begin later this year with Weta Digital expected to handle special effects for the film^[2]. The production will be based in Wellington but co-producer Michael Garlick said they would probably film several scenes on location around New Zealand and in various locations across Europe where McLaren raced, ^[3] this |may include the Circuit de la Sarthe, where McLaren won the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans

In a statement Garlick said they were interested in lining up a big name to play the part of McLaren.^[4]

"We have a number of people in mind. A film with this sort of budget is going to demand a big name."^[5]

The aim is to release the film internationally, most probably in late 2008 or early in 2009.^[6]

[edit] Background

Main article: Bruce McLaren

Bruce McLaren pictured during the 1966 German Grand Prix.

Bruce Leslie McLaren (August 30, 1937 – June 2, 1970), born in Auckland, New Zealand, was a race-car designer, driver, engineer and inventor. He is famous for winning the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans and for founding one of the "big three" teams in modern Formula One: McLaren.

McLaren's life came to an abrupt end during 1970 while he was testing a CanAm car at the Goodwood Circuit after the rear bonnet of his car came off at high speed. The lack of rear downforce resulted in McLaren losing control of his car and crashed into a marshal flag post.