UPDATE: Clearly, the film still can't catch a casting break as Variety is now reporting that Portman has decided not to take the gig. The hunt for the female lead – assuming Michael Fassbender sticks as Jobs – continues.
The latest attempt to make a biopic of former Apple boss Steve Jobs has seen some ups and downs recently. Despite a proven creative team that includes Aaron Sorkin scripting and Danny Boyle directing, the film has struggled to lock in a leading man and was even put into turnaround by its original studio, Sony. Now, with the backing of Universal, it appears to be back on track and Natalie Portman has entered talks for a role.
Nothing is known about which character she might play, though Deadline reports it’s a major role. Boyle has Michael Fassbender in talks to play Jobs, while Seth Rogen is circling the role of Steve Wozniak, one of Jobs’ key early collaborators and the co-founder of Apple.
Sorkin’s script adapts Walter Isaacson’s bestselling authorised biography of the man, and focuses on three big moments in Jobs’ corporate life: the launch of the Mac; NeXT (which was introduced after he was removed from the company); and the iPod, launched after his triumphant return. Boyle wants to start shooting next year.
Portman is editing her directorial debut, A Tale Of Love And Darkness, and has several films on the way including Jane Got A Gun and Terrence Malick’s Knight Of Cups.