We all have that one relative, friend, or acquaintance. Elusive, mysterious perhaps, the one who could simply be working at the local convenience store or an accountancy firm, but also feasibly be working as an undercover operative for the CIA, while simultaneously laundering money for a Mexican drug cartel. Sounds a little too like the plot to Ozark? Well, we all know of someone that we may suspect has a few too many skeletons in their closet, and in some cases, a whole graveyard of them.Biopics are a particular favorite amongst film buffs, whether we care to admit it or not; the mystique surrounding our idols (or even those we can’t stand) peaks our curiosity. The idea that their entire lives could be a lie, a façade, that their secrets could bring down an entire organization, or simply that they were a talented, adored, but troubled individual makes biopics incredibly enticing. With the recent announcement that the Michael Jackson biopic Michael is in the works, there is no better time to discuss the wild, real-life stories of other famous people who would make brilliant subjects of a movie.
Tyson Fury
When a famous individual writes an autobiography at the age of 30, it’s usually received with a sigh and a customary roll of the eyes, and automatically dismissed as a self-indulgent vanity project. Yet, in Tyson Fury’s case, his 32 years on this planet have included several lifetimes' supply of success, controversy, and entertainment. Raised as a traveler, Fury was amply named “Tyson,” after Mike Tyson, as his father harbored hopes for his son to go on and emulate the legendary brawler.
From some titanic fights in the ring to his well-documented bout with depression and bipolar disorder, the heavyweight boxing world champion has battled and overcome the odds that seemed simply insurmountable. Tyson Fury was on the brink of suicide, ballooning to 400 lbs, and then completed the mother of all great career comebacks by regaining his status as heavyweight champion of the world, one of the most coveted prizes in the sport of boxing. An inspirational movie about the self-proclaimed “Gypsy King” has the potential to really pack a punch.
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona. A name immortalized in the footballing history books. Arguably the greatest player of all time, and at the very least, of his generation. The Argentinian genius tragically died at age 60 back in 2020. His skill even inspired the title of Paulo Sorrentino's recent film The Hand of God. Placing his scintillating footballing ability aside, “El Pibe de Oro” (The Golden Boy) was also renowned for his drug-fueled, playboy antics off the pitch.
Connections with the notorious Sicilian Mafia, pervaded by drug and alcohol addiction, and involvement in ill-famed extramarital activities would make Maradona an engrossing subject for a dramatized motion picture. His enchanting capacity with a football at his feet captured the hearts of his nation and the reverence of the world. While there has already been an award-winning documentary on the footballing maestro, there is certainly room for a great film to be made about the life of the legend and his brilliance at sport.
John Stonehouse
Politics, power, and corruption go hand-in-hand. In recent years, Trump, Boris Johnson, Berlusconi, and Putin (to name just a few) have either orchestrated or been complicit in varying degrees of political scandal. Yet, it’s a historic figure’s escapades that crash Boris’ parties, Berlusconi’s orgies, and Trump’s various impeachments. John Stonehouse was a Labour MP and cabinet minister in the UK back in the 60s and 70s.
He was made infamous when he faked his own death on Miami Beach, left his young family, and ran away with his mistress to begin a life down under, all while using his dead constituent’s name. It was later revealed he had been operating as a spy for the Czech Secret Service. A corrupt James Bond, perhaps. Last year, his great-nephew, Julian Hayes released the detailed, and fascinating story of his great-uncle in his novel Stonehouse: Cabinet Minister, Fraudster, Spy. Screenwriters and directors have been missing a trick in not making this captivating piece of history into a feature film.
Donald J. Trump
Whether you love him (unlikely), loathe him (likely), or enjoy puttering along in the lane of indifference, it’s commonly recognized that Donald Trump is a real example of a 21st-century enigma. A year after his presidency came to an abrupt and controversial end, the Cheeto-colored, egotistical maniac goes down in the congressional record books as the first president to ever face two impeachments, albeit both resulted in acquittals.
From “covfefe” and the persistent aggravation of Kim Jong Un on Twitter, his privileged upbringing, and a multi-million dollar inheritance from his father’s business ventures, to the alleged claims of sexual assault against him, it can indeed be agreed that Trump’s divisive, contentious life provokes public interest. Instead of a documentary or miniseries, however, a feature film, perhaps directed by Oliver Stone, would be the filmmaking event of the year. Unfortunately, even that cinematic chronicler of presidents has said it might be too much of a challenge. Hopefully someone will give it a shot.
Sidney Poitier
Sydney Poitier, legendary actor and director, passed away this year at the ripe old age of 94, and it was quickly announced that an Apple TV-backed documentary about the late icon and activist was in the works. Poitier launched a career in acting after being discharged from the Army following World War II. Running concurrently with his film career, Poitier was a staunch civil rights activist; empowered by his success and newfound fame in the film industry, Poitier shouldered the responsibility of being a powerful voice, and hope for change in the attitudes towards his people.
Poitier made movie history by becoming the first ever African-American Academy Award winner for Best Actor, later stating, "I was the only Black person on set. It was unusual for me to be in a circumstance in which every move I made was tantamount to the representation of 18 million people." A biopic following the life of Poitier would no doubt be well-received and would provide a fascinating insight into his illustrious acting and directing career, and the struggles with the racial prejudice he and others valiantly faced head-on.