A new film exploring movie legend James Dean's supposed long-term gay relationship has entered development.
Writer-director Guy Guido is behind the project, having acquired the rights to William Bast's 2006 autobiography Surviving James Dean, which sees him give his account of his time with Dean.
In the book, Bast describes meeting Dean at the age of 19 on an acting course, after which they became roommates, close friends and eventually lovers - a fact they kept hidden in order to protect his burgeoning movie career.
Bast, who died in 2015, says that he and Dean remained a couple until the star's untimely death in a car crash at the age of 24 in 1955.
"I have been a fan and historian of James Dean since I was 18 years old, so I knew about his 'friend' Willie, even when information about their relationship was straight-washed by the Hollywood machine," Guido told The Hollywood Reporter.
"As a filmmaker, I love telling the story of a celebrity's life in their coming-of-age period. As a gay man, I was particularly drawn to Bast's unique story."
Guido added that he is currently looking for the "right team to partner with" to provide financing for the project.
Neil Wilkes
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