Jeremy Allen White Reveals the Emotional Weight of Portraying Bruce Springsteen

Actor Jeremy Allen White has opened up about the intense emotional journey of playing Bruce Springsteen. The star discussed his role in the upcoming film ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’. He shared his experience in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly.

The film focuses on a pivotal and difficult period in the rock legend’s career. It chronicles the making of Springsteen’s stark 1982 album, ‘Nebraska’. White’s revelations provide a rare look inside the challenging biopic process.

A Protective and “Fragile” Filming Process

Jeremy Allen White described feeling unexpectedly vulnerable during production. He said he often felt “fragile” while on set. The actor also felt a strong need to protect Springsteen’s real-life story.

White explained this protective instinct came from portraying actual events. He emphasized the responsibility of recreating real moments from the musician’s life. This weight made him become quite introverted during the shoot.

The ‘Bear’ actor had significant access to Springsteen for preparation. Springsteen personally gave him a tour of his hometown, Freehold. They also maintained contact through texts and calls before filming began.

Co-Stars Embark on Their Own Detective Work

Jeremy Strong, who plays manager Jon Landau, took a different approach. He developed his character largely through his own research. Strong compared the process to being an “obsessive detective” collecting clues.

He had dinner with the real Jon Landau but relied more on his own work. Co-star Stephen Graham called the method being a “magpie,” gathering bits of information. This highlights the varied approaches actors use to portray living icons.

The film promises an intimate look at Springsteen’s personal and professional struggles. It aims to show the man behind the iconic ‘Born to Run’ persona. For the actors, it was a delicate balance of interpretation and respect.

The ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’ biopic delves deep into a legend’s challenging era. Jeremy Allen White’s candid account reveals the profound personal impact of this role. His fragile and protective experience underscores the gravity of telling Bruce Springsteen’s true story.

Dropping this nugget your way

Q1: What is ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’ about?

The film is a biopic focusing on Bruce Springsteen. It covers the personal and professional struggles during the making of his 1982 album ‘Nebraska’. The period was a deeply introspective and difficult time for the musician.

Q2: Who does Jeremy Allen White play in the movie?

Jeremy Allen White portrays Bruce Springsteen. He plays The Boss during a specific, formative chapter of his life. White worked closely with Springsteen himself to prepare for the role.

Q3: Who else is in the cast of the Springsteen biopic?

The cast includes Jeremy Strong as Springsteen’s manager, Jon Landau. Actor Stephen Graham plays Springsteen’s father, Douglas. The ensemble aims to faithfully recreate the people around Springsteen.

Q4: When will the film be released?

An official release date has not been publicly announced yet. The project is currently in production. News about its premiere is expected later this year.

Q5: Why did Jeremy Allen White feel protective?

He felt protective because he was dramatizing real, sensitive moments from Springsteen’s life. White emphasized the responsibility that comes with portraying a living icon’s true story. This made the filming process feel very delicate.