The first look at a movie about the life of Indiana County native Jimmy Stewart has been released.
The 75-second teaser for “Jimmy” gives viewers a quick glimpse of how the film, starring KJ Apa in title role, will delve into Stewart’s illustrious movie career and service during World War II. The movie is set for release in November.
“Jimmy Stewart was an American Hero,” Apa said in a statement Wednesday, according to Variety. “He was among a certain breed of men who understood the true meaning of sacrifice by fighting for our freedom. He was also among the greatest actors of all time, starring in over 80 movies and winning one Academy Award for best actor. His story is one of strength and purpose, love and honor, fame and war. His story is one that begs us to think of the greater good and to be willing to fight for it.”
Stewart was born in Indiana in 1908 and later became a Hollywood star after signing with MGM Studios. During the 1930s, he made 21 movies, eventually winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for “The Philadelphia Story” in 1940, according to a biography on the Jimmy Stewart Museum’s website.
He followed in his family’s footsteps by enlisting in the Army, ending World War II as a colonel with the Army Air Corps after flying 20 successful combat missions over Germany.
After the war, Stewart got back into making movies with his first performance in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” His career continued in the decades afterwards until his death in 1997 at 89, the biography said.
Stewart’s daughter Kelly Stewart-Harcourt is serving as an executive producer on “Jimmy,” The Hollywood Reporter wrote.
“I have long thought that it would be hard to find an actor who could bring my father to life without doing an extended Jimmy Stewart impersonation,” Stewart-Harcourt told Variety. “But that actor has been found and his name is KJ Apa. I was privileged enough to visit the set in Ireland this last September, and there, I felt a magic. I know this will be conveyed in the film, and I can’t wait to see it.”
Indiana has remain connected to their native son — in addition to the Jimmy Stewart museum, there is a statue of him in town and crosswalks use an impersonation of his voice to led pedestrians know when it’s safe to cross the street. A small airport in Indiana County is partially named after him and it was host to the P-51 Mustang he flew during World War II during an event earlier this year.
