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James Dean Biopic About Star’s Purported Gay Romance Finds Its Lead

  • Brandon Flynn will portray James Dean in the upcoming biographical film Willie and Jimmy Dean, which is currently in development with no scheduled release date.
  • The film depicts the reported romantic relationship between James Dean and William Bast, beginning with their first encounter at UCLA and continuing until Dean’s death in 1955, drawing from Bast’s memoir published in 2006 titled Surviving James Dean.
  • Director and writer Guy Guido characterizes the story as a poignant and occasionally sorrowful portrayal of two young men connecting deeply during a time when being genuinely recognized involved significant personal risk.
  • Flynn explains that the script reveals how Hollywood has long compelled LGBTQ individuals to maintain a performative facade in both their public and private lives, while also portraying Dean as a nuanced person with authentic and intricate relationships.
  • The film seeks to portray James Dean as a multifaceted individual beyond his legendary status, focusing on how he and William Bast develop and manage their complex relationship within the social limitations of the 1950s.
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The film is based on the book "Surviving James Dean" by William Bust and follows the legendary actor's love affair with the author.

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The Hollywood Reporter broke the news in Los Angeles, United States on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
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