Cruise tops the wish list to play McLaren

(China Daily/Agencies)
Updated: 2007-01-24 11:15

A big-budget film is being planned about the life of McLaren Formula One founder Bruce McLaren with Hollywood star Tom Cruise at the head of the wish list to play the lead role.

McLaren, a New Zealand race driver and engineer, died in 1970 in a testing accident at the Goodwood circuit in England at the age of 33. He had by then laid the foundation for a dominant team in world motor sport.

"I was talking about who could play the part this morning with my daughter, Amanda, and I thought Tom Cruise would be a good choice," McLaren's widow Patty McLaren-Brickett said on Saturday after plans for the movie were announced.

"He looks very similar to Bruce he is dark, he is the same height and has a similar build. He is the only person I thought of at the moment but he would be too expensive."

The movie is being co-produced by New Zealander Michael Garlick, a life-long fan of McLaren, and American Barrie Osborne, producer of blockbusters such as Apocalypse Now, the Matrix series and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The project is in its early stages with the script being discussed.