Jeremy Allen White, fresh off his Emmy-winning run as a stressed-out chef in The Bear, is now tackling one of rock's biggest icons. In the upcoming film Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, White embodies Bruce Springsteen during the turbulent creation of his 1982 album Nebraska. Directed by Scott Cooper and based on Warren Zanes' 2023 book, the movie dives into Springsteen's inner struggles as fame loomed large. And sharing the screen? Jeremy Strong, the intense Succession alum, who plays Springsteen's longtime manager Jon Landau.
The trailer dropped back in June, showing White strumming a guitar with that signature gravelly voice—though whispers suggest a team of vocal coaches helped nail the Boss's sound. It's a bold move, portraying a living legend who's still touring stadiums at 76. Springsteen himself gave the project his blessing, even chatting with White about those raw, haunted days in the early '80s. But can White, at 33, capture the weight of a man wrestling personal demons amid skyrocketing success? The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 29, earning buzz for its gritty authenticity, and just last week, on September 29, it hit a glitzy New York premiere where Springsteen showed up alongside White, drawing cheers from a crowd of celebs.
Indeed, the two Jeremys seem tailor-made for this. Strong's Landau is the steady hand guiding Springsteen through breakdowns and breakthroughs, a dynamic that's reportedly the heart of the story. Filming wrapped in New Jersey spots like Asbury Park, which White called "sacred" after immersing himself there. Critics who've seen early cuts praise the performances, though some question if another music biopic can avoid clichés. The movie hits theaters October 24, just weeks away now.
However, with Springsteen's real-life resilience still echoing in his shows, this portrayal might stir debates on how we mythologize our heroes. Moreover, as White noted in interviews, getting those panic-attack moments right was key to connecting personally. And yet, for fans, it's a chance to revisit that pivotal album's origins.
One wonders if this film will redefine Springsteen's legacy or simply remind us why his music endures.