Jack O'Connell has been cast as visionary fashion designer Alexander McQueen in an as-yet-untitled biopic, due to go into production towards the end of this year.
O'Connell will star as the late designer in a film written by award-winning playwright Chris Urch, and directed by Andrew Haigh, who was recently nominated for a BAFTA for 45 Years. The biopic is set to be produced by Damien Jones and Pathé, and will explore the months leading up to McQueen's iconic 2009 fashion show, which re-worked standout designs from the past 15 years of his career. According to a statement from Pathé, 'the film explores McQueen’s creative process in the months leading up to the show providing an intimate portrait of the man behind the global brand.'
The winner of last year's prestigious EE BAFTA Rising Star Award, O'Connell's breakout role came in Channel 4's coming-of-age drama Skins. The 26-year-old most recently starred in Money Monster opposite Hollywood heavyweights Julia Roberts and George Clooney, and can next be seen in period romance Tulip Fever alongside the likes of Alicia Vikander and Cara Delevingne.
The planned production is the latest sign of the huge public interest in McQueen’s life and work. The story of the late designer, who was celebrated in last year’s record-breaking Savage Beauty exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, has already been the subject of a West End play, titled McQueen.
The son of a London taxi driver, McQueen began his career on Savile Row before launching his own label and working as creative director for Givenchy. Known for his spectacular and often controversial catwalk presentations, he was one of Britain’s most celebrated design talents, championed by the legendary Isabella Blow and worn by the likes of Kate Moss and David Bowie. Amongst his most iconic styles were the ‘bumster’ trousers from his headline-grabbing Highland Rape collection and the armadillo shoes from his haunting final collection, Plato’s Atlantis.
Further details about the cast and release date are yet to be announced, but we’re already excited to see this celebration of McQueen’s life and work on screen.
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