Movies
Universal plans Neil Armstrong biopic
Published Wednesday, Apr 2 2008, 11:16 BST | By Simon Reynolds
Universal will turn First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong, a book about the first man on the moon, into a feature film.
The book's author James R. Hansen got rare access to Armstrong to write the 2005 biography. A test-pilot who later joined the NASA programme, Armstrong was dubbed "the Ice Commander" due to his focus and drive to be the first astronaut on the moon.
The screenplay will be written by Nicole Perlman.
"The closer he got to the moon, the further away he became from his family," Perlman told Variety.
"He had a family tragedy before Apollo that turned him into this driven astronaut, and he became such a perfect hero that while Buzz Aldrin was announced to be the first man on the moon, NASA reversed its decision because Neil was regarded as more heroic."
Armstrong shunned the limelight after returning from the moon, choosing instead to spend time with his family and lead a private life.
The book's author James R. Hansen got rare access to Armstrong to write the 2005 biography. A test-pilot who later joined the NASA programme, Armstrong was dubbed "the Ice Commander" due to his focus and drive to be the first astronaut on the moon.
The screenplay will be written by Nicole Perlman.
"The closer he got to the moon, the further away he became from his family," Perlman told Variety.
"He had a family tragedy before Apollo that turned him into this driven astronaut, and he became such a perfect hero that while Buzz Aldrin was announced to be the first man on the moon, NASA reversed its decision because Neil was regarded as more heroic."
Armstrong shunned the limelight after returning from the moon, choosing instead to spend time with his family and lead a private life.
More: Neil Armstrong, Movies
Related Stories
Movie Reviews
'Top Cat: The Movie' reviewHanna-Barbera's classic cartoon makes a disastrous comeback on the big screen.
Movies Interviews
'Prometheus': Fassbender video interviewMichael Fassbender tells Digital Spy about his android role in Ridley Scott's Prometheus.
At the Movies
How many Snow White dwarves can you name?Nick Frost, Ray Winstone and more try to guess Snow White's classic dwarves.
Movies Galleries
Robert De Niro in new Red Lights postersElizabeth Olsen and Sigourney Weaver also feature in new posters.
