Brandon Flynn, known for his roles in 13 Reasons Why and True Detective: Night Country, has been cast to portray the enigmatic Hollywood icon James Dean in the upcoming film Willie and Jimmy Dean.
The film, penned and directed by Guy Guido, is based on William Bast’s 2006 memoir, Surviving James Dean, and chronicles a deep bond between Dean and Bast that allegedly blossomed into a romantic relationship while they were students in UCLA’s theatre program when both were around 19 years old .
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Flynn praised the script for its tender and truthful approach, saying it aims to go beyond Dean’s iconic persona to explore the man behind the myth .
He added that the story highlights “how Hollywood has historically forced LGBTQ people into performance, even in their personal lives,” and applauded the film for humanizing Dean rather than sensationalizing his relationships .
Guido emphasized that this is not a traditional biopic, but a “tender and sometimes tragic story about two young men who found each other in a time and place where being seen — truly seen — came at a cost.”
He expressed confidence that Flynn brings the required “fire and vulnerability” to the role .
The narrative is set to span from the pair’s first meeting to Dean’s tragic death in a car accident in September 1955, contextualizing a clandestine queer relationship that was never publicly acknowledged in mid‑century Hollywood .
Dean, who remains an enduring cultural icon despite having starred in only three films before his untimely death, has long been a subject of speculation regarding his sexuality and private life .
Flynn, himself openly gay and married to filmmaker Jordan Tannahill, holds a deep connection to LGBTQ storytelling and representation on screen .
This new biopic arrives at a time when audiences are demanding more authentic queer narratives in mainstream cinema.
Industry observers note that it follows earlier queer-centered projects like Madonna and the Breakfast Club, also directed by Guido, and signals growing visibility for queer creative voices in Hollywood .
Variety reports that casting is ongoing for the roles of William Bast and his mother Bernice, with the project currently in early production .
There is no release date yet, but anticipation is building among cinephiles and LGBTQ audiences alike for what many hope will be a heartfelt and honest exploration of James Dean’s personal life and legacy.
By centering on a hidden queer love, Willie and Jimmy Dean may recontextualize the public image of a legendary star, offering a nuanced lens through which to view mid‑century Hollywood’s treatment of LGBTQ individuals.
As Brandon Flynn steps into a role steeped in both cultural reverence and private longing, the film promises to challenge historical narratives and bring forward a poignant story that has long lived in whispers.