14 DAY TRIAL // On October 23, the second Steve Jobs biopic since the Apple co-founder’s death drops in theaters. Unlike with the universally mocked Ashton Kutcher pic, this one is already getting plenty of Oscar buzz and early signs of being a box office hit.
For non-Apple fanboys and fangirls, its strong cast is enough of a draw: “Steve Jobs” sees Michael Fassbender as the titular character, opposite Kate Winslet, Jeff Bridges and Seth Rogen, and director Danny Boyle working off a script by the famous Aaron Sorkin.
There is one person, though, who is not in the least interested in seeing the film: Laurene Powell Jobs, Steve Jobs’ widow.
Laurene Powell tried to block the film
Work on this biopic started some time before Jobs’ death in October 2011, before Walter Isaacson’s book on his life had come out. Isaacson’s book was written with help from Jobs, but he made it a point of not interfering in the way his story was being told, because he wanted it to be told as objectively as possible.
The film will undoubtedly be less objective and more dramatic, so when Powell found out about its existence, back in the day when the project was still Sony Pictures property (it has moved to Universal since), she did whatever she could to block it, The Hollywood Reporter says. This, despite the fact that her character doesn’t even get too much screentime.
Director Danny Boyle says that both Powell and Apple’s Tim Cook tried to prevent any and all studios from making the film, but he doesn’t want to relive those details.
“Since the very beginning, Laurene Jobs has been trying to kill this movie, OK?” a more talkative studio executive says. Laurene Jobs called Leo DiCaprio and said, ‘Don't do it.’ Laurene Jobs called Christian Bale and said, ‘Don't [do it]’.”
DiCaprio and Bale were attached as leads before Fassbender. At that time, David Fincher was on board to direct.
Reps for Powell would not respond to calls for comment from THR, but a Sony executive, who chooses to remain unnamed, says that no confirmation is needed: Powell did try to block the film and even called movie studios in her attempts to do so.
A guaranteed box office success
“Steve Jobs” has been through production hell, which in turn, generated more negative headlines than most other films.
In the end, it was probably all worth it, speaking strictly from a filmmaking perspective: initial critics’ reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with the film scoring a 91% certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes even though it’s not out yet.
This rating will probably go down a few points as more screenings take place, but it’s a solid start.
Now, many reviews note that Jobs’ portrayal in the film isn’t exactly positive, but at least fans shouldn’t worry about this: his status as a creative genius isn’t in danger in the slightest.
