A first look at Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in the upcoming biopic, Deliver Me From Nowhere, has been unveiled. The film centers on Springsteen’s creation of his stark, minimalist album Nebraska, contrasting sharply with the commercial success of his earlier hit, “Hungry Heart,” and testing his relationship with his record label.
White, a three-time Emmy winner for his role in The Bear, is shown playing harmonica and performing both “Nebraska” and Springsteen’s classic “Born to Run.” This follows the success of the Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, which garnered an Oscar nomination for Timothée Chalamet.
White meticulously prepared for the role, immersing himself in extensive archival footage to accurately capture Springsteen’s distinctive voice and energetic stage presence. “There’s just so much footage,” he told GQ. “It’s been really fun preparing.”
Springsteen himself, a frequent visitor to the set, praised White’s performance, calling him “a terrific actor” with impressive vocal talent. “He’s got an interpretation of me that I think the fans will deeply recognize,” Springsteen stated.
Initial fan reaction to the trailer has been mixed but largely positive. While some questioned White’s physical resemblance to Springsteen, many were moved by the trailer’s emotional impact and the authenticity of his performance. “I wasn’t sure at first, but I do see a little Bruce in Jeremy Allen White,” noted one Reddit user. Others highlighted the film’s production value and the compelling portrayal of Springsteen’s creative struggle.
White, at 33, portrays Springsteen at a similar age during the recording of Nebraska, a collection of intimate character studies recorded acoustically at his New Jersey home. The album’s stark contrast to Springsteen’s previous work was widely compared to Bob Dylan’s “going electric,” only in reverse. Robert Palmer’s 1982 *New York Times* review highlighted the album’s challenging questions and refusal to offer easy answers.
The trailer reflects this theme, showcasing Springsteen’s unwavering commitment to his artistic vision, even at the potential cost of commercial success. “This is not about the charts,” says Jeremy Strong, playing Springsteen’s manager Jon Landau. “This is about Bruce Springsteen.”
Director Scott Cooper, known for his work on Crazy Heart, aimed to capture the spirit of Nebraska with “authenticity and hope.” The trailer’s brooding atmosphere mirrors the album, depicting Springsteen’s isolation and creative struggle amidst rising fame. “I’m trying to find something real in all the noise,” he says in the trailer.
The trailer concludes with an energetic Springsteen performing with the E Street Band, hinting at a more dynamic second half. The film also stars Stephen Graham as Springsteen’s father, Dutch, and Odessa Young as Faye, with Paul Walter Hauser as guitar tech Mike Batlan. Graham shared an emotional text from Springsteen himself, praising his portrayal of his father.
Deliver Me From Nowhere, slated for release in October, is poised to be a major contender in next year’s Oscars race, especially given the delay of the Michael Jackson biopic. Both films follow the successful run of the Dylan biopic, which grossed $140 million and received eight Oscar nominations.