Actor Steven Waddington is all set to write and direct a biopic based on the life of veteran Snooker player Jimmy White. Aneurin Barnard, who starred in Dunkirk, and Ray Winstone, Sexy Beast actor, have been cast to star in the biopic.
Barnard, known for his acting in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, has other acting credits such as The Goldfinch and the BBC’s popular 2016 War & Peace adaptation. He is set to play White in the biopic.
As per a Deadline report, the film will show the life and career of the colorful six-time Snooker World Championship finalist into “one crazy night” during which he “is forced to confront his darker side.”
The feature, produced by Black Water Pictures and Lipsync Productions, will start its shooting in London this April. Winstone, accompanied by his long-term manager, Michael Wiggs, is also joining as co-producers. This film will signify Waddington’s inaugural venture into feature film direction.
“I want to illuminate the darkness Jimmy dragged himself through as he lost much more than those famous six World Championship finals,” said Waddington.
“Set during the 80s and 90s when these tournaments were played live to millions at home, this shy, complicated genius tore himself apart behind the scenes – and it’s this vicious, self-inflicted power struggle I want to capture, as his greatest match became Jimmy White Vs his own demons.”
Nicknamed “The Whirlwind,” White is known for reaching the final of the World Championships on six occasions without winning.
White has openly discussed his battles with substance abuse, revealing in a BBC documentary that during the peak of his fame, he spent £35,000 ($44,000) on a crack cocaine addiction. Additionally, he has triumphed over cancer and received an MBE in 1999 for his contributions to the world of snooker.
Wiggs added: “Ray and I have admired Steve as an actor for many years, and when we read this incredibly sharp, poignant, and funny script, there was no question that we wanted to get involved.”
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