David Fincher Wants Christian Bale for Sony’s Steve Jobs Biopic

In the wake of recent news that two-time Oscar nominee David Fincher is in early talks to direct Sony’s Steve Jobs biopic, comes an interesting development on Fincher’s stipulation for the project. According to The Wrap, Fincher told Sony’s Amy Pascal that he would only take the project if Christian Bale played Steve Jobs.

Fincher and Pascal worked together on The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and despite their strained relationship during production, Pascal reportedly believes in Fincher’s vision and abilities as a filmaker and is inclined to give him what he wants. Combine this with her existing relationship with Bale, and the British actor could find himself leading a technological revolution soon after wrapping up filming on the ancient Exodus.

The script for the film has already been completed by Aaron Sorkin, who won an Oscar for adapting Ben Mezrich’s The Accidental Billionaires for Fincher’s wildly successful The Social Network. For the Steve Jobs film, Sorkin based his script on Walter Isaacson’s authorized biography Steve Jobs.

While the 2013 film Jobs, which starred Ashton Kutcher in the title role, was poorly received by both critics and audiences, Sony is banking on the fact that a talented team which includes Sorkin, Fincher, Bale and producer Scott Rudin will create a more interesting picture that will garner the attention and acclaim befitting the Apple co-founder.

Bale and Fincher will both have their hands full promoting their new films in 2014 – Fincher just wrapped up filming the thriller Gone Girl, while Bale starred in Exodus, directed by Ridley Scott. If the pieces fall into place, production on the Steve Jobs biopic could start in early 2015.