Shia LaBeouf has been tapped to star as John McEnroe in the upcoming biopic “Borg/McEnroe,” TheWrap has learned.
The sports drama will focus on one of the biggest rivalries in tennis of all time between McEnroe and Swedish player Björn Borg in the late 1970s and and early 1980s.
Sverrir Gudnason will play Borg, while Stellan Skarsgard has come on to play Borg’s coach Lennart Bergelin.
Danish direct Janus Metz will direct — his war documentary “Armadillo” won the grand prize at Cannes’ Critics’ Week in 2010.
All in all, Borg and McEnroe faced off 14 times between 1978 and 1981, each winning seven matches. Borg was known for his emotionless and cool stature while McEnroe was infamous for his tantrums and angry outbursts. Their two Wimbledon finals (1980 and 1981) are considered to be among of the best ever matches in tennis.
Shooting is set to begin this fall in Sweden, London, Monaco and New York. It is planned for a 2017 release, with Ronnie Sandahl writing the script.
Sweden’s SF Studios and Film Vast will co-produce “Borg/McEnroe” with Swedish Television and Yellow Film & TV. SF Studios is handling international sales.
LaBeouf is repped by CAA and John Crosby Management.