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Brett Ratner is Making a Hugh Hefner Biopic Starring Jared Leto

Two perfectly polarizing celebrities is a match made in movie heaven.
By  · Published on October 3rd, 2017

Two perfectly polarizing celebrities is a match made in movie heaven.

The dirt hasn’t even settled on Hugh Hefner’s grave, but plans are already moving forward on a planned biopic of his life. Hollywood Reporter is announcing that Jared Leto will wear the silk pajamas for director Brett Ratner‘s film.

Ratner says of Leto, “Jared is an old friend. When he heard I got the rights to Hef’s story, he told me, ‘I want to play him. I want to understand him.’ And I really believe Jared can do it. He’s one of the great actors of today.”

Jared Leto in Blade Runner 2049 Source: Sony

Sometimes pieces for a movie come together that just makes sense. Ratner, while a successful producer has been a far less successful director. Outside of the Rush Hour trilogy of films, he has directed such masterpieces as Tower Heist and Hercules (2014). Leto, who won an Academy Award for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club, seemingly has a negative public opinion about him. His performance as Joker in Suicide Squad was unfavorable to put it lightly, but he can be seen in action again in Blade Runner 2049. And finally, Hugh Hefner himself defines the characterization of polarizing. For all the success his magazine enjoyed throughout the years, Hefner himself has not been seen in such glowing lights. His love of movies notwithstanding, his actions in his life were not the greatest.

It makes perfect sense that this is the biopic of Hugh Hefner’s life we deserve.

Ratner’s Ratpac Entertainment has the project in early development. Ratner has been set on producing-directing the picture since 2007 when Robert Downey Jr. was attached to the project. That was originally going to happen via Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment, but the rights expired. Producer Jerry Weintraub (Ocean’s Eleven, HBO’s Westworld) then got control of the rights for a time before his passing, but Ratner then snatched the rights up for himself in 2015.

Ratner has initially hoped Leto could meet Hefner. They were in attendance of Hefner’s 91st birthday party, but apparently, Hefner was not accepting guests due to failing health. Ratner doesn’t seem all that concerned that Leto never got to meet the playboy. “There’s enough footage on Hef out there that Jared will be able to get as much information as he wants,” Ratner says. That much is for certain given Hefner’s countless television appearances, series, and specials throughout his life.

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News Writer/Columnist for Film School Rejects. It’s the Pictures Co-host. Bylines Playboy, ZAM, Paste Magazine and more.