Walter Isaacson’s authorized biography of Steve Jobs, including the late Apple chief’s last ever interview, isn’t even on bookshelves yet. But that hasn’t stopped one movie studio from pouncing on the rights to make a movie out of it.
According to Deadline.com, Sony Pictures has struck a deal with Isaacson and his publishers that will give them $3 million if the movie is produced — and a guaranteed $1 million even if it isn’t. Isaacson’s book, previously slated for March 2012 and then brought forward to November 21, will now be published by Simon & Schuster later this month. It includes the final interview Jobs ever granted; Isaacson, in a story for Time.com (behind its paywall), says the interview took place “a few weeks ago” at Jobs’ home in Palo Alto.
Sony is the studio behind both The Social Network and Moneyball, giving it the best track record we’ve seen for turning real-life business stories into excellent movies. If the producers can secure the services of Aaron Sorkin, the West Wing creator who wrote both of those films, Jobs’ life may well have the screenwriter it deserves.
SEE ALSO: Steve Jobs Authorized Biography Release Date Bumped Up
Jobs’ early career at Apple — up until 1997, at least — has already been the subject of one TV movie, The Pirates of Silicon Valley. That film, produced by TNT in 1999, was loosely based on the book Fire in the Valleyand dealt with the parallel rise of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. It starred ER actor Noah Wyle in the Jobs role; Wyle’s portrayal was so eerily accurate that Jobs invited the actor on stage to prank the audience at a Macworld conference later that year.
Would the life of Jobs make a compelling motion picture on its own? Let us know your take in the comments.
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