"I'm pretty excited to start this thing," White said after accepting his Emmy. "We’re going to start it pretty soon. I don’t want to talk about it too much, it feels like it's wrong before we actually get started." Though he kept the details of the film under wraps, White revealed that he has a "really beautiful team" supporting him in the project, including none other than Springsteen himself.
"Bruce has been really lovely and supportive and available," White shared, acknowledging the rock star's active involvement in the film's development. He added that Jon Landau, Springsteen’s longtime manager, is also heavily involved, playing a significant role in the film's creation. "I feel really lucky, and yeah, we’re getting there," White said.
"Deliver Me from Nowhere" is based on Warren Zanes' 2023 book of the same name and will focus on the making of Springsteen's seminal 1982 album Nebraska. This project marks a rare deep dive into a pivotal period of Springsteen's life, both musically and personally.
Nebraska, Springsteen's sixth studio album, was a raw and introspective departure from the grand rock anthems he was known for. The album, recorded solo by Springsteen, expressed a sense of personal and national turmoil and has since been regarded as one of his most hauntingly reflective works. At the time of its release, the album’s stark sound and dark themes were a stark contrast to the booming success of his earlier albums like Born to Run and his upcoming Born in the U.S.A., making it a vital chapter in his storied career.
Zanes' book highlights this turning point, describing the internal struggles and mental health challenges that Springsteen faced during the album’s creation. As noted in the book’s description, Nebraska not only captured the mood of the country but also reflected the beginning of Springsteen's own mental health battles, which he wouldn’t fully discuss until decades later.
With both Springsteen and Landau involved in the film, fans can expect an authentic and emotionally charged portrayal of this lesser-known yet critical phase of Springsteen's life. Known as "The Boss," Springsteen is no stranger to accolades, having won an Academy Award in 1994 for his song "Streets of Philadelphia" from the movie Philadelphia. His career spans decades, with an impact on American music and culture that is impossible to overstate.
White, who is fresh off the success of his acclaimed role in The Bear, is stepping into uncharted territory with this biopic, but his enthusiasm and Springsteen's personal endorsement suggest that he's more than ready for the challenge. For now, fans will have to wait to see how this partnership between actor and rock icon unfolds, but White’s comments hint at a project with profound artistic and emotional depth.
