- This week, fans were treated to a first look at Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen
- The actor will play The Boss in new biopic, Deliver Me From Nowhere
- But fans were less than impressed by Allen White’s transformation into the singer
He’s one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors.
And now Jeremy Allen White is preparing to take on his next role – as none other than Bruce Springsteen.
The Bear actor, 33, will play the Born in the USA singer, 75, in the new biopic about his life.
Titled Deliver Me From Nowhere, the movie is adapted from the book of the same name about the making of Springsteen’s 1982 album Nebraska.
According to a press release, Springsteen’s recording of Nebraska “marked a pivotal time in his life, one that he would only openly talk about decades after its release”.
It continued, “It’s regarded as a landmark in his musical odyssey and a source of inspiration for a generation of artists and musicians. Recorded on a 4-track recorder in Springsteen’s New Jersey bedroom and without The E Street Band, Nebraska is considered one of Springsteen’s most enduring works – a raw, haunted acoustic record populated by lost souls searching for a reason to believe.”
The cast also includes Stephen Graham as Springsteen’s dad, Paul Walter Hauser as guitar tech Mike Batlan and Odessa Young, who is rumored to play a love interest.
Jeremy Strong will also feature as Jon Landau, Springsteen’s longtime manager.
‘Is Springsteen in the room with us?’
But while fans of The Boss are looking forward to the film – and don’t doubt Allen White’s talent – most were less than impressed with a first-look at the actor in costume.
“Honestly I just don’t see it. I have no concerns about the acting but idk… Bruce is such a unique looking dude,” someone wrote on Twitter/X. Another added, “I guess it’s too soon for Austin Butler to star in another biopic. The casting choice is clearly based on the performance he will bring, because they didn’t even try to get someone who slightly resembles Springsteen.”
Joking that producers “didn’t even try” with their casting choice, one pointed out “so it’s Jeremy with darker colored hair”.
“They put this boy in plaid and a leather jacket and said, ‘Close enough!’” laughed one. “I get the PR purpose of releasing a photo like this well ahead of the film but I feel like it trains the audience to approach the movie the wrong way, i.e. look at it purely as an impersonation rather than a performance,” said another.
While some claimed casting directors “must be joking” and “this ruined my mood”, others aproved of the teaser look.
“I actually like this alot, prefer this to smothering someone in make up, ruins the authenticity,” said one.
But finally, someone asked in disbelief, “Is Bruce Springsteen in the room with us?”
