Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin has confirmed that Oscar-winner Christian Bale will play Steve Jobs in a forthcoming biopic. Sorkin is working on an adaptation of Walter Isaacson's 2011 biography of Jobs, which Danny Boyle will direct. Leonardo DiCaprio was thought to be set for the lead, before passing to take a break from acting.

Christian BaleChristian Bale will play Steve Jobs in Aaron Sorkin's adapation of the great man's official biography

Speaking to Bloomberg Television's Emily Chang, Sorkin appeared to suggest that Bale was always the primary target, "We needed the best actor on the board in a certain age range and that's Chris Bale," he said, "He didn't have to audition. Well, there was a meeting."

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Sorkin is known for his inimitable work on The West Wing, The Newsroom and the award-winning movie The Social Network. We already know that the Jobs movie will be made up of three long scenes, each documenting one of Steve Jobs' famous product launches. 

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"He has more words to say in this movie than most people have in three movies combined," Sorkin said of the task facing Bale. "There isn't a scene or a frame that he's not in. So it's an extremely difficult part and he is gonna crush it."

Aaron SorkinAaron Sorkin is writing the Steve Jobs movie

It shouldn't trouble Bale - a well-known method actor who won an Oscar in 2011 for his hugely accomplished performance in The Fighter. Last year, he was nominated for Best Actor for American Hustle.

Sorkin went on to say that principal shooting should begin in the next few months, though couldn't offer any further details. It is likely that the movie could be released in early 2016, in time for Oscar consideration.

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