Director and Out100 honoree Andrew Haigh (45 Years, Looking, Weekend) has signed on to direct a biopic based on the life of Alexander McQueen, the iconoclast British designer.
McQueen, who committed suicide in 2010, was the subject of a biography penned by Andrew Wilson, Blood Beneath The Skin, which is reported to be the base material for the film. Playwright Chris Urch is writing the script for the biopic, to be produced by Damian Jones and Pathe.
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The son of a taxi driver, McQueen rose rapidly from a tailor's apprentice on London's Savile Row, to designing the wardrobe for David Bowie's Earthling Tour in 1997 (including the Union Jack coat worn by Bowie on the album cover.) He later befriended Isabella Blow, Daphnee Guiness, and Lady Gaga, who went on to become his muses and confidentes.
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The openly-gay designer also had a reputation for being fashion's enfant terrible, known to have experienced drug issues and multiple heartbreaks. He was found dead at home, nine days after his mother Joyce passed away from cancer.
Haigh's latest release, the Oscar-nominated 45 Years, has emerged as this award's season dark horse, with a best actress bid for Charlotte Rampling at the Academy Awards, and a best British film nomination at the BAFTAs. His McQueen project is slated to go into production in late 2016.
