Jared Leto is set to star in and produce a biopic of Karl Lagerfeld, the iconic fashion designer whose career spanned more than 50 years. Lagerfeld, who died in Feb. 2019, is best known for his powerful role as artistic director of Chanel.

The Oscar-winning actor is set to play former Chanel artistic director and fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld in an upcoming biopic. Leto will produce the film with Emma Ludbrook through their production company Paradox.

Leto also knew Lagerfeld well before he died, so he jumped at an opportunity to make a dramatic film about him.

"Karl has always been an inspiration to me," Leto said in a statement. "He was a true polymath, an artist, an innovator, a leader and, most importantly, a kind man. When we came together with the Karl Lagerfeld team, we immediately shared a creative vision of doing a respectful ode to Karl while pushing the artistic boundaries of what a biopic can be."


The project has been given the green light from the Karl Lagerfeld fashion house and will see Lagerfeld’s long-time friends, Pier Paolo Righi, chief executive officer of the Karl Lagerfeld house since 2011; Caroline Lebar, SVP of image and communications at Karl Lagerfeld, and Sébastien Jondeau, who was his personal assistant and bodyguard executive produce.

One of the most famous fashion designers of the 20th century, Lagerfeld died in February 2019. His influence still exudes the industry after his death. Vogue CCO Anna Wintor announced that next year’s Met Gala Costume Institute Exhibition theme will be Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty, dedicated to the designer’s six-decade career. As for who will direct the upcoming biopic, the film’s producers are in talks with various filmmakers. Plot details for the movie are unknown, but expect an unconventional take on Lagerfeld’s life.

Leto is in the current class of high-profile Method actors, but some have argued his approach borders on an almost distasteful level of commitment. He incurred health issues shedding weight for his role in Requiem for a Dream and allegedly sent his Suicide Squad co-stars disturbing gifts while in character as the Joker. However, other collaborators have appreciated Leto's method acting ways, including Morbius director Daniel Espinosa, who has lauded his dedication.

Source: Press Release