Neighbours icon tipped to play Rupert Murdoch in new biopic from director Danny Boyle

Reports indicate that actor Guy Pearce could be cast as the media tycoon Rupert Murdoch in an upcoming movie by director Danny Boyle.

Reports state that the actor, famously known from Neighbours and who was recently Oscar-nominated for his supporting role in The Brutalist, is allegedly in discussions to portray a contentious compatriot in the film Ink, which is adapted from James Graham’s successful stage play with the same title.

Jack O’Connell, who made a notable appearance in Boyle’s 28 Years Later and is poised for a more significant role in its upcoming sequel titled The Bone Temple, is also rumored to be in discussions to portray Larry Lamb – a character known as the previous editor of The Sun (distinct from Larry Lamb, the actor renowned from Gavin and Stacey).

In 2017, Graham’s production was first staged at London’s Almeida Theatre, tracing the storyline following the period after Murdoch acquired The Sun newspaper, which was on the brink of failure in 1969, and appointed Lamb as editor. This decision led to a significant turnaround in the newspaper’s destiny.

The production featured Bertie Carvel as Murdoch and Richard Coyle as Lamb. After moving to the West End and Broadway, it received numerous nominations for Olivier and Tony Awards, and Carvel won accolades at both award ceremonies for his outstanding performance.

As per Deadline’s update, it is revealed that Graham has penned the script for this upcoming movie remake. The goal is to initiate filming in October, with StudioCanal providing the financial backing.

Indeed, it’s not uncharted territory for Boyle to tackle a well-known, impactful, and contentious real-life character with his films. Previously, he directed the 2015 biopic Steve Jobs, where Michael Fassbender portrayed Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in the lead role.

More recently, the director stepped back into feature filmmaking with the movie titled “28 Years Later,” following a break of six years. Some of his other well-known works include “Trainspotting,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” and “127 Hours.

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2025-08-20 16:04