Alec Baldwin has signed on to portray John Delorean in a forthcoming documentary.
The actor will play the American motoring engineer and executive in XYZ Films’ currently untitled documentary, according to Variety.
Directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce, production on the project is already underway, with narrative scenes starring Baldwin to be shot shortly.
“Sheena Joyce and Don Argott are two of the most intelligent and creative filmmakers that I’ve come across over the last many years,” said Baldwin in a statement. “Their documentary, The Art of the Steal, is among my favorites of all time and I look forward to collaborating with them on their inventive take on the life of John DeLorean.”
To transform the 59-year-old into DeLorean, the film’s producers have enlisted the hair and make-up team Baldwin works with on Saturday Night Live, the late-night show on which he makes regular satirical appearances as President Donald Trump.
The documentary will investigate DeLorean’s rise to fame as an engineer at General Motors, and as founder of the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC). Throughout his career, he designed a number of vehicles, including the Pontiac Firebird, Pontiac Grand Prix, and the DeLorean DMC-12 sports car, which was later featured in the 1985 film Back to the Future. But DeLorean faced production delays with the DMC-12 and by 1981 he had failed to recoup its $175 million in investment costs and his factory was placed in receivership.
In addition to narrative scenes, the documentary will also include interviews with the automaker’s lawyers, colleagues, friends and family.
“As longtime fans, we cannot wait to see DeLorean through the lens of Alec’s immense talent and sharp intellect. We’re confident this collaboration will lead to an exciting film about a mysterious, misunderstood automotive icon,” added Argott and Joyce.
A release date has not yet been announced.
