Ferrari: Michael Mann’s biopic about ex-racer starring Adam Driver commences principal photography

Production for Ferrari, the newest feature film from four-time Academy Award nominee Michael Mann, has started production in Italy this week. The biographical film stars Academy Award nominee Adam Driver as Enzo Ferrari, Academy Award winner Penélope Cruz as Laura Ferrari, Shailene Woodley as Lina Lardi, Patrick Dempsey as racing car driver Piero Taruffi, Jack O’Connell as racing car driver Peter Collins, Sarah Gadon as Linda Christian, and Gabriel Leone as the charismatic Fon De Portago.

Ferrari is co-written by Mann and Troy Kennedy Martin, writer of The Italian Job. Their script is adapted from the Brock Yate’s book Enzo Ferrari – The Man and the Machine. The film is also to be produced my Mann and STX Entertainment. The film is looking to be released in Fall 2023 in theaters, then exclusively streaming on Showtime which is also producing the film.

The plot revolves around a troubled time in the racer’s life in the summer of 1957. The threat of bankruptcy looms over he and his wife’s company. On top of that, the tempestuous couple is in a state of mourning for one of their sons and as they’re negligent of their other. Through this crisis, Enzo Ferrari decides to race in the great Mille Miglia, which is a 1,000 miles across the country of Italy.

CEO of STX Entertainment, Noah Fogleson states, “We know that Ferrari will be an incredibly special film, and in Michael’s hands, it will not only be a thrilling story that will put audiences in the driver’s seat, but a gripping and compelling character drama that will stay with moviegoers long after it ends.” Michael Mann has tweeted a picture from set celebrating the start of principal photography.

“The most thrilling part of this experience,” says Mann, “is working with dedicated and passionate artists, Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz and Shailene Woodley, as well as with an extraordinary supporting cast of Jack O’Connell, Patrick Dempsey, Sarah Gadon, Gabriel Leone and more in these highly dramatic roles.”

Mann has been quite busy in 2022 with his pilot for Tokyo Vice being a big hit on HBOMax and has be greenlit for a second season. He also has been promoting his new novel, Heat 2, which is a sequel to his 1995 film which pitted prestigious actors Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino against each other. Mann also wants to adapt that into a film.

Are you excited? Which is your favorite Michael Mann film? Sound off below!