Rosa Cartagena | (TNS) The Philadelphia Inquirer

The buzzy upcoming Bruce Springsteen film “Deliver Me From Nowhere” officially has its lead: Jeremy Allen White. The biopic, based on the book of the same title by Warren Zanes, follows the making of Springsteen’s 1982 iconic solo album, “Nebraska.” Over the weekend, it was the subject of a bidding war between A24 and 20th Century Studios who vied to finance and release the film, according to Deadline.

A24 had been an early contender to distribute the film, but 20th Century Studios president Steve Asbell and David Greenbaum, the new head of Disney’s live action arm and 20th Century, are reportedly big Springsteen fans and managed to snag the film after what Deadline called “a wild weekend of a bidding battle.” The pair also attended Springsteen’s concert in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Moving forward with 20th Century, the film has also confirmed that White, star of Hulu’s Emmy-winning drama-comedy “The Bear,” will play the young, moody Springsteen. He’ll wrap up filming for season four of “The Bear” in June before coming to New Jersey to shoot “Deliver Me From Nowhere” this fall. White doesn’t have a singing background, though he did participate in a bad a capella group in a joke commercial for “Shameless,” the Showtime series in which the LL Cool J and Goldlink fan played a smart but struggling son.

The Boss wrote and recorded “Nebraska” alone in a room he rented in Colts Neck, New Jersey, as he grappled with fame, depression and anxiety. Though he initially didn’t plan to release the tracks, they are still considered some of the most resonant and emotional songs of his career. Springsteen and his manager Jon Landau are involved with “Deliver Me From Nowhere,” which will also reportedly feature songs from “The River” and “Born in the U.S.A.”

Zanes’ book covers Springsteen’s mental health troubles and the personal struggles he wrote into “Nebraska.” Scott Cooper, known for directing “The Pale Blue Eye,” “Black Mass” and “Crazy Heart” (another adaptation based on a musician’s life), will write the adapted script and direct.

Amid the news about the upcoming film, Springsteen has been on tour, but also recently appeared onscreen as himself in a hilarious cameo on the final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

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