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Springsteen Biographer Zanes Shares Insider Secrets of Film Casting
23 Oct
Summary
- Zanes was an "observer" in the casting process for the Springsteen film
- Jeremy Allen White's performance as Springsteen convinced Zanes the film would be a success
- Zanes had confidence in director Scott Cooper's involvement
In October 2025, Springsteen biographer Dave Zanes provided a behind-the-scenes look at the casting process for the upcoming film "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere." Zanes, whose book "Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska" inspired the movie, explained that he was an "observer" during the casting, getting to see various actors' faces being considered for the lead role.
However, Zanes revealed that once he saw Jeremy Allen White, the 34-year-old Emmy-winning actor who ultimately landed the part of the 76-year-old Springsteen, he knew White was the right choice. Zanes said he "went deeper on 'The Bear'" and was convinced White's performance would be a success. The biographer also expressed confidence in director Scott Cooper, praising his "body of work."
Zanes noted that he was initially "anxious" about the project, but his worries were alleviated once he saw White and Jeremy Strong, who plays Springsteen's longtime co-producer and manager Jon Landau, working together on set. The biographer was impressed by the chemistry the two actors displayed, saying he knew "this cannot go wrong."
