Recent years have seen cinemas and streaming services flooded with biopics exploring the lives of some of the most beloved celebrities – and some who deserve far more credit – diving into their younger years before fame and occasionally revealing the skeletons in their closet. The last couple of years alone have seen Blonde (about Marylin Monroe), Elvis, Rocket Man (about Elton John), and Air (about Nike) among a dozen others.
But there are some stars, inside and outside of Hollywood, who desperately need their stories told on the screen, be them acting legends, music icons, or secret Nazi fighters, yep, you heard that right.
Frank Sinatra
Considering his status as a music legend, and his cinematic influence, somehow, Frank Sinatra has never been the center of a biopic. Reportedly Martin Scorsese had spent years working on one, but the film never saw fruition. As well as exploring his impressive career, a biopic on Sinatra could also delve into his involvement with numerous women, and his reported connections to the mob.
Sidney Poitier
Often considered America’s first major black film star, Sidney Poitier was a civil rights icon who refused any role based on a racial stereotype or prejudice, presenting a new image of African Americans on screen. The film could explore the icon’s landmark journey across Hollywood cinema, as well as his time spent in the U.S. Army during WWII.
Steve McQueen
The king of cool during the 60s and 70s, anyone familiar with McQueen’s iconic filmography immediately understands why this Hollywood legend deserves his own biopic. Like any good biopic, a film on Steve McQueen can also bring to light his hardships before he found fame, including how he was abandoned by his parents as a child, his time spent in gangs and reform school, and his time in the Marines as a tank driver.
Audrey Hepburn
Style icon for millions… check. Oscar-winning actress… check. Nazi fighter… check. Many know of Audrey Hepburn’s presence in Hollywood during the 50s and 60s, but few are aware that Hepburn, born in Brussels, spent much of her youth as a messenger for the Allies during the Nazi invasion of Belgium. Her life was brought to the small screen in 2000 in Jennifer Love Hewitt’s The Audrey Hepburn Story, but a life as incredible as that deserves a feature biopic.
Bob Ross
The most calming man on television, Bob Ross became a pop culture icon as a result of his ever-optimistic domina, his calming painting show, and his impressive afro. A biopic on this legendary PBS TV star could explore the birth of his legendary show The Joy of Painting, as well as his life prior as an Air Force hero.
James Dean
James Dean’s talent in front of the camera is immensely impressive, but what shines more is the fame and reputation that surrounds him, considering he has such a limited filmography. The biopic could explore Dean’s meteoric rise through Hollywood following his appearance in 1955’s East of Eden, all the way up to his tragic passing in 1955, following a traffic collision.
Dr. Seuss
Alongside the like of Roald Dahl, Dr. Seuss stands as one of the most iconic children’s authors of all time, with many of his books and stories finding their way to the big screen – like How the Grich Stole Christmas, The Lorax, Horton Hears a Who, and The Cat in the Hat. But some may not know that Dr. Seuss wasn’t the family-friendly star his persona suggests. Seuss was reported to have had several extra-marital affairs, which led to his wife taking her own life.
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