Christian Bale gears up for Michael Mann's Enzo Ferrari biopic

If there’s one thing Christian Bale knows, it's playing secretive multimillionaire businessmen that like to build beautiful speed machines while hiding away in the dark. 

So then, it should come as no surprise that Hollywood has come a-knocking to sign him up to play the lead in the long-awaited Enzo Ferrari biopic. 

Deadline reports that the Welsh actor, famed for his gravel-throated Batman and that on-set flip-out, is to channel the world-famous Italian car magnate in Ferrari, which is scheduled to start shooting next summer. Led by director Michael Mann, it’ll see the two re-join forces seven years since the two created gritty gangster flick Public Enemies.

Widely known by his nickname ‘Il Commendatore’, Enzo Ferrari was born in Modena in 1898, and devoted his 90 years of life to designing, building and racing sports cars. After becoming a champion race driver for Alfa Romeo, and an emotional breakdown, Enzo founded the Scuderia Ferrari team. With them, he would soon become a circuit sensation, earning eight victories in 22 competitions. But after the death of his son, Dino, and the break-up of his marriage, Enzo would become a recluse in his own factory, working 24/7 on his cars and wearing sunglasses non-stop in honour to his son.

Sure, this perfectly-suited role for Bale seems an age off, but rest assured that you’ve got some primo Bale primed for the big screen between now and then, with Terrance Malik's Knight of Cups, as well as the Andy Serkis-led Jungle Book reimagining to look forward to.

Much like old Enzo, he's showing no signs of slowing down. 

[Images: Rex]