The film will follow Stewart, who was already an established Hollywood leading man, as he signs up to fight in World War II. Stewart would fly a number of combat missions as a pilot, before returning home to film one of his most enduring films: It’s a Wonderful Life. McDonough will star as his father, Alexander, while McDonald will play fellow Golden Age star Lionel Barrymore, who played Mr. Potter in It’s a Wonderful Life. Also joining the cast are Rob Riggle (The Daily Show) as U.S. Army Colonel Terrill, Kara Killmer (Chicago Fire) as Lady Julia, and Jemma Donovan (Neighbours) as Ginger Rogers, who Stewart dated and starred with in Vivacious Lady.
Who Is Jimmy Stewart?
Stewart, famous for his distinctive drawl and everyman persona, was one of the biggest Hollywood stars of the 20th century. In addition to It’s a Wonderful Life, which has become a holiday staple, he starred in a wide variety of films, from comedies to dramas to Westerns. He was nominated for the Best Actor Academy Award five times, and won once, for The Philadelphia Story; he was also awarded an honorary Oscar in 1984. His best-remembered films include Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Harvey, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Rear Window, Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Anatomy of a Murder.
In addition to Apa and the new cast, the film will also star Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) as Louis B. Mayer, the studio boss of MGM; Max Casella (Tulsa King) as It’s a Wonderful Life director Frank Capra; Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy) as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, Julian Works (9-1-1: Lone Star) as Second Lieutenant Martinez; and Jen Lilley (Days of Our Lives) as Jimmy’s wife, Gloria Stewart. It will be directed by Burns (Birthright Outlaw) and is written by Justin Strawhand (War Against the Weak). Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, is a producer on the film.
Jimmy is now in production; no release date has yet been announced. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.
