Biopic films have become a cornerstone of modern cinema and popular culture. Here are 6 icons that need their own movie ASAP, and who we’d cast to play them:

Biopics are all the rage in Hollywood. From Wolf of Wall Street, to The Dirt, to House of Gucci, to Elvis, it seems like each year the industry churns out a slew of biographical films. In 2022 alone, nearly 30 biographical films and tv series will have been released. And over 100 have been released since 2020. So who’s next? Here are some of the world’s top stars, figureheads, and icons that should be put on the big screen:

Debbie Harry 

Many of Hollywood’s top biographical films follow hit musicians of the 1970s, with examples being Rocketman, Bohemian Rhapsody, and The Runaways, among others. However, the majority of musician biopics seem to follow men, so how could Hollywood expand this subgenre? Debbie Harry is the frontwoman and co-founder of Blondie, and a pioneer of the punk-rock movement. A Blondie film would detail the band’s innovation of the new-wave scene of 1970s New York, with an emphasis on Harry’s experiences as the band’s head, possibly drawing from her memoir, Face It. This would have the same grandiose as films like the recent Elvis or 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody but with a grit that’s typically only found in movies of the indie persuasion. Miley Cyrus would be a perfect cast for Harry’s character; Cyrus’ 2020 album, Plastic Hearts, debuted at #1 on the Billboard top rock albums chart, and featured other famed rockers like Joan Jett and Stevie Nicks. Cyrus also has a background in acting and received much acclaim for her role as Ashley O in Netflix’s Black Mirror. The singer also performed a now iconic rendition of Blondie’s 1979 hit Heart of Glass, which found mass virality on TikTok. Cyrus has certainly got the chops and, we must admit, the pair look strikingly similar.

Micheal Jackson 

Surprisingly, the king of pop has yet to have his life story reflected on the big screen, with the exception of a 2017 made-for-Tv Lifetime movie, and that one haunting episode of Urban Myths of which the world seems to be trying to forget. Micheal Jackson was one of the most extraordinary stars the world has ever known and his life was a rollercoaster to say the least, making him an excellent candidate for a biographical block-buster. Likewise,Odiseas Georgiadis would make an excellent choice to bring Jackson’s life to the big screen. He is an actor known for his role on the Netflix series Trinkets, but Georgiadis is more than just an actor; he’s also a singer and songwriter, and even auditioned for NBC’s The Voice in 2012.

David Bowie 

David Bowie was a pioneering force that transformed, not only the music industry, but pop culture as a whole. Bowie’s discography includes some of the most famed songs of all time, but his impact went far beyond; his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and rejection of social norms through his varying on-stage personas inspired numerous generations to explore gender and sexuality with confidence. His influence also transcended a variety of mediums including music, film and fashion. A biographical film of Bowie’s life, titled Stardust, was released in 2020 to scathing reviews, receiving a mere 19% on Rotten Tomatoes, leading many fans to campaign for a “do-over.” The creation and distribution of the 2020 film was not supported by the singer’s family or estate, and did not feature any of Bowie’s music. A proper Bowie biopic would be more than a drama or a musical, it would be an off-the-wall, mixed-media retelling, conveying his essence as an artist and emphasizing the style and powerful storytelling of his music. Noah Bean is an excellent choice to portray Bowie. The award-winning actor, while perhaps lesser known, has acted in a variety of genres, and even briefly portrayed Bowie in an episode of the 2016 HBO series Vinyl. However, another possibility lies in Mortal Instruments star Jamie Campbell Bower, who has starred in a variety of successful films, and recently found a surge in popularity due to his role as Vecna in season 4 of Netflix’s Stranger Things. Bower is also a successful musician as well as an actor, and certainly holds the potential to capture Bowie’s character.

Bonnie and Clyde

The story of Bonnie and Clyde hit the silver screen in 1967 in an academy award winning film of the same name. In addition to biographical films, remakes and reboots are all the rage in Hollywood, and a new Bonnie and Clyde film is far overdue. Bonnie and Clyde is a tale that is often romanticized by the public; a thrilling, crime-filled love story. Likewise, this captivating adventure would be heavily stylized, fashionable, vibrant, and seductive, in contrast to an extensive biography. So who should star as this famed crusading couple? Harris Dickinson, known for The Kingsman, The Darkest Minds, and 2022’s Where the Crawdads Sing, is a BAFTA-nominated actor; he’s starred in brooding dramas and played an actual prince charming in Disney’s Maleficent sequel, making him perfect for a character that requires both grit and charisma. Likewise, Cailee Spaeny is ideal for the role of Bonnie; she already has the chops to tackle well-established stories and figures, having starred in a stand-alone sequel to 1996’s The Craft, and had a supporting role in On the Basis of Sex, a biopic film about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Additionally, she not only has range, but the beauty and charm, as well as the edge that this story calls for.

Alice Roosevelt

First Daughter Alice Roosevelt makes a perfect candidate for a comedy biopic. Alice Roosevelt was the daughter of president Theodore Roosevelt, as well  as a wild child socialite known for her wit and rebellious nature. Alice was the poster child for rebellious teens; she smoked, drank, gambled, and partied. Her scandalous behavior and rejection of social norms cultivated much attention, both positive and negative, and at age 17, she became one of America’s first celebrities. This biopic needs the same quick wit and oddball humor of Alice herself, with a tone similar to series’ like The Great and Dickonson, as well as the eccentric visuals and bold colors of period-films like Marie Antonette and 2020’s Emma. There are a couple of actresses that could make this role as iconic as the figure herself: Talia Ryder is an up and coming young actress who is sure to make her mark on the industry, She recently starred in Netflicx’s romantic drama Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between. However, her role as Gabbi in the satirical teen comedy Do Revenge  is inching her closer to universal stardom; her wit and vibrance is perfect for this role. Likewise, 17 year old actress Dafne Keen, most known for her role of Laura in Logan, the third installment of the Wolverine Trilogy. While this concept is unlike any project Keen has done before, she has an edge and a fierceness that would add layers to the narrative.

Orson Welles

Orson Welles was a world-renowned actor, writer and director known for the 1941 film Citizen Kane, which is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential films of all time. This film would be similar to 2021’s Being the Ricardos which documented a week in the life of  Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as they face numerous challenges while filming their television series I Love Lucy. Likewise, this film would not detail Welles’ entire life, but would follow him as he creates what will become one of the most famous movies in history. Josh Andres Rivera would make a unique but excellent casting choice. Though the 27 year old actor has yet to appear in much, he gave an impactful performance in Steven Speilberg’s West Side Story, and is featured in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.