As a lifelong admirer of James Dean and his enigmatic charm, I find the upcoming biopic about his alleged gay romance with William Bast to be a long-overdue addition to the existing portrayals of his life. The 1950s were a time when such relationships were often hidden from public view, and it’s fascinating to delve deeper into this private aspect of Dean’s life.
70 years ago, I mourned the untimely demise of the promising actor James Dean. In 1955, he was tragically taken away from us in a car accident, leaving behind just three films that showcased his talent. On the anniversary of his passing, news broke about an upcoming biopic focusing on the rumored romantic life of this iconic figure.
James Dean was known for his high-profile relationships with actresses such as Barbara Glenn, Pier Angeli, and Ursula Andress. However, screenwriter William Bast claimed in his memoir, Surviving James Dean, that they had a secret romantic relationship which was not publicly acknowledged. On the anniversary of the actor’s death, The Hollywood Reporter (THR) announced that writer/director Guy Guido has obtained the rights to Bast’s memoir and is currently working on a biopic based on it. So far, Guido has written the script for the film, held meetings with potential producers, and is in the process of selecting an actor to portray James Dean.
In William Bast’s memoir, he describes encountering an individual from Indiana at the UCLA Theater when he was 19 years old. It is said that they transitioned from being roommates into a romantic relationship. The screenwriter claimed that they concealed their romance to safeguard the young actor’s career. The memoir offers insights into their developing relationship and Bast’s journey in accepting his sexuality during the 1950s.
Despite no funding secured as of now for Surviving James Dean, Guy Guido remains optimistic about finding a suitable partner. He shared with The Hollywood Reporter his reasons behind wanting to adapt this little-known love tale into a feature film:
Guido expressed that he’s been an admirer and student of James Dean since his teenage years, which is why he was aware of Willie, despite the Hollywood industry obscuring details about their relationship. As a filmmaker, he finds it fascinating to portray a celebrity’s life during their youthful phase. Being gay himself, Bast’s intriguing tale captivated him especially.
What other biopics are there about James Dean?
Numerous films have depicted the life of James Dean on the silver screen. Remarkably, a novel written by William Bast, titled “James Dean: A Biography,” which focuses on the actor from East of Eden, was adapted into a movie in 1976, centering around their friendship.
1997’s “James Dean: Race with Destiny” delves into the romantic tale between James Dean and Italian actress Pier Angeli. Later in 2001, James Franco was awarded a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the young actor in the television biopic that chronicled Dean’s professional life.
1951’s Joshua Tree portrays James Dean, focusing on the actor’s exploration of his bisexuality and events preceding his career. Furthermore, Life (2015) features Dane DeHaan from The Amazing Spider-Man 2 as Dean, with a focus on his friendship with photographer Dennis Stock, played by Robert Pattinson.
Previous biographical films focused on the professional journey and personal relationships of the well-known actor. But it seems that Guy Guido’s biopic will offer a lesser-known perspective of the actor’s life, one that hasn’t been thoroughly portrayed in movies before.
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2024-10-01 16:10