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Antonio Banderas and Alec Baldwin to play Lamborghini and Ferrari in biopic

Hollywood film star Antonio Banderas will enjoy the leading role in an upcoming biopic focused on the life and times of Lamborghini founder Ferruccio Lamborghini.

According to entertainment website Variety - which is owned by Formula E team owner Jay Penske by the way - Ambi Media Group has secured the movie rights for the biography "Ferruccio Lamborghini - La storia ufficiale" (The official story), which was written by Lamborghini's son, Tonino.

"My book ‘Ferruccio Lamborghini. La storia ufficiale’ (The official story) is the only text perfectly respectful of the real life of my father, despite numerous legends and anecdotes written or told by other people looking for a moment of celebrity," Tonini Lamborghini said.

"I really believe this film can translate into images and words the great humanity of Ferruccio and transmit to the viewers worldwide my father’s personality: a man full of energy, charisma, and passion."

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Filming will take place mainly on location in Italy, but no release date has yet been announced. For good measure, Lamborghini's arch rival, the legendary Enzo Ferrari will be played by Alec Baldwin.

The motion picture will follow the launch of Lamborghini’s career as a manufacturer of tractors, a creator of military vehicles during World War II, and the designer of Lamborghini cars, which he launched in 1963 as the high-end sports car company Automobili Lamborghini.

Lamborghini sold his automobile interests in the late 1970s and died in 1993.

Two other films, centered around the life of Ferrari, are reported to be in production, with Robert de Niro and Hugh Jackman casted as the famous Commendatore in each film.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.