New biopic on James Dean’s secret gay life

In a compelling exploration of one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic figures, writer-director Guy Guido is set to helm a biopic centred on the personal life of legendary actor James Dean, based on the late author William Bast’s 2006 memoir Surviving James Dean.

Guido, known for his work on the feature Madonna and the Breakfast Club, which premiered on Hulu in 2020, has acquired the rights to Bast’s memoir and has already penned the script. He is now in the process of meeting with potential producers and casting key roles for the film.

Bast’s memoir provides an intimate look into his relationship with Dean, describing their first meeting at the UCLA Theatre Program when they were both 19 years old. The book recounts how the two became roommates, close friends, and eventually lovers. Bast revealed that their romantic involvement was kept private to avoid damaging Dean’s burgeoning career, while Dean’s public relationships with female stars kept suspicions at bay. Despite Dean’s eventual relationships with women, Bast held onto the hope that he and Dean would one day live together openly.

Five years after their initial meeting, Dean tragically died in a car accident on September 30, 1955, at the young age of 24. Bast, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 84, lived long enough to see Dean’s posthumous rise to stardom with the releases of the iconic films “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Giant.”

The biopic, aligning with the anniversary of Dean’s death, aims to chronicle the beginning of the relationship between Bast and Dean up to the actor’s untimely demise. Guido has expressed a deep connection to the project, both professionally and personally.

“I have been a fan and historian of James Dean since I was 18 years old, so I knew about his ‘friend’ Willie [William Bast], even when information about their relationship was straight-washed by the Hollywood machine,” Guido shared in a statement. “As a filmmaker, I love telling the story of a celebrity’s life in their coming-of-age period. As a gay man, I was particularly drawn to Bast’s unique story.”

Guido is committed to authenticity, ensuring that the portrayal of characters such as Dean, Bast, and Bast’s glamorous single mother feels genuine. His previous experience in directing biographical features will undoubtedly inform his approach to this project.

“I am obsessed with getting the look right when it comes to casting and directing a film about a famous person,” Guido explained. “I want people to feel as if they are watching the real James Dean on the screen.”

The 2001 TV movie James Dean, which starred James Franco as the titular character, previously attempted to capture the actor’s life, but Guido’s version appears set to delve more deeply into the private aspects of Dean’s relationships and personal struggles.

Although the project currently lacks financing, Guido is optimistic, noting the promising meetings he has had with potential partners. He emphasised the importance of finding the right team that comprehends the significance of the story, particularly in today’s socially divided atmosphere.

“I want to find just the right team to partner with,” he continued. “Producers that understand the gravity and importance of a story like this, especially in today’s divided social climate.”

With Guido’s dedication to historical fidelity and a passion for the subject matter, audiences can anticipate a poignant and insightful depiction of James Dean’s life and the private relationship that significantly impacted him.

Source: Noah Wire Services