Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe land the lead role in Tenzing Norgay biopic: Oscar-winning indie production banner See-Saw Films is planning a biopic of Tenzing Norgay, the legendary Nepalese-Indian mountaineer who summited Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, becoming one of the first men to stand on the top of the world.
According to Variety, Tom Hiddleston will play Edmund Hillary and Willem Dafoe as the English expedition leader, Colonel John Hunt. However, the quest to find a perfect fit for Norgay’s role is still continuing. The film is being introduced to buyers at Cannes with Rocket Science launching sales. UTA Independent Film Group and See-Saw’s Cross City Films are co-repping the U.S.
What can be expected from the upcoming film?
The upcoming biopic on the legendary figure Tenzing will be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jennifer Peedom. Peedom has the exclusive rights to tell Tenzing’s story through his family and has a close relationship with the Sherpa community.
Peedom is primarily known as a documentary filmmaker. Her work focuses on outdoor and adventure themes. Her notable projects include the internationally renowned feature documentaries Solo, Sherpa, and Mountain.
Sharing her excitement for the project, Peedom said,
“I could not be more thrilled to be bringing Tenzing Norgay’s story to the screen. I’ve been working towards this film my whole career, and I’m incredibly grateful to Tenzing’s family for entrusting me with it. I am excited to work with See-Saw Films and our amazing cast to bring this story to life. Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe are two of the most generous and talented actors in the business, so pairing them with our brilliant Himalayan cast is going to be electric. I have no doubt this film will resonate widely. We all have our own mountains to climb, and this film shows us what human beings are truly capable of.”
Meanwhile, See-Saw’s Sherman and Canning expressed their excitement about working with Peedom. They said,
“We are so excited to embark on this exhilarating ascent led by one of the most inspirational directors we’ve encountered, Jennifer Peedom. Her award-winning experience in the world of high-altitude filmmaking, alongside her unique relationship with the Sherpa community and her masterful storytelling skills, make her the perfect director for this film.”
This upcoming project is penned by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Luke Davies. Meanwhile, Liz Watts, Emile Sherman, and Iain Canning for See-Saw Films will produce the film alongside Jennifer Peedom and Davies. Executive producers are Simon Gillis, David Michôd, and Norbu Tenzing.
