John Wayne And Seven Other Icons Who Need Their Own Biopics

With Elvis coming out this weekend, it got me thinking about what other beloved celebrities deserve their own biopics. Let’s go through which icons’ lives would make great stories and who would be perfect to play them.

For this list, I focused on classic stars of yesterday, with the exception of Dolly Parton because Dolly is timeless. 

Dolly Parton

The sharecropper’s daughter from Pigeon Forge started out with a coat of many colors and went on to become one of the most beloved entertainers of all time. That her story has never been told on the big screen is an injustice.  

Who should play Dolly? I’m going to be controversial here and say, Lady Gaga. She has an amazing range and an affinity for the classics. 

Willie Nelson

Everyone’s favorite pothead has had a long crazy career. Before it was fashionable, Willie was an outlaw who played by his own rules and did it his way. Who should play Willie? Can Paul Rudd sing? Well, neither can Willie. But you have to be funny to play the Redheaded Stranger, and Rudd has it.

Bradley Cooper would be a good choice too. 

Clark Gable

Maybe the original effortlessly cool movie star. Gable could play the rogue and the statesmen with equal skill. Who is the modern-day Gable?

Obviously, George Clooney. I mean, it’s too obvious.

Steve McQueen

Probably the first modern action star. Who would be the man to play Bullet? 

Why not Hawkeye himself, Jeremy Renner? 

Jimmy Stewart

One of America’s most respected and admired actors wasn’t just a star on the screen he was a combat veteran pilot during World War 2. Giving up that life of privilege to serve your country is deserving of a big-budget movie. 

So of course, why not America’s most beloved actor Tom Hank to play Stewart?

John Wayne

The Duke was larger than life, and I don’t know if there’s anyone out there who could do him justice. 

Maybe an older Wayne could be played by Jeff Bridges? Bridges is currently 72, Wayne’s age when he passed away. Bridges did a great job as Wayne’s Rooster Cogburn in the remake of True Grit.

Honorable Mention

• Katherin Hepburn: Cate Blanchett already played her in The Aviator. It would definitely be nice to see her again in the four-time Academy Award winner’s story as one of Hollywood’s biggest female stars. 
• Sydney Poitier: An icon and a trailblazer. The easy call is Denzel Washington, but I would like to see a young up-and-comer play him, perhaps Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

What’s a biopic you’d love to see? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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