The studio behind Oscar-nominated Facebook film The Social Network is planning a biopic about Steve Jobs, based on a forthcoming authorised biography of the late co-founder of Apple.
Deadline reports that Sony Pictures is set to acquire rights to the book by former Time Magazine managing editor Walter Isaacson, titled simply Steve Jobs, for a seven-figure sum. It will be the first film to tell the Apple founder's story on the big screen, though a made-for-TV docudrama, Pirates of Silicon Valley, previously immortalised Jobs in 1999 with ER's Noah Wyle playing the role.
The release of Isaacson's biography is being rushed forward to 24 October following its subject's death last week from a rare form of pancreatic cancer at the age of 56. It is based on more than 40 interviews with Jobs conducted over two years – as well as interviews with more than 100 family members, friends, adversaries, competitors and colleagues. At one point last week the book hit No 1 on Amazon's bestseller list, based on pre-orders alone.
Isaacson has previously written bestselling biographies of Albert Einstein, Henry Kissinger and Benjamin Franklin. He was reportedly given complete access to Jobs, including a personal tour of his subject's childhood home.
Mark Gordon, the man behind films such as Speed, Saving Private Ryan and Source Code, will produce the film version for Sony.
