The Boss is back. But not everyone’s happy about it. The first look at Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere just dropped. And while some fans are calling it Oscar-worthy. Others are already writing it off. All the noise centers on one thing. Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen.
The biopic, based on the 2023 book Deliver Me From Nowhere. It tells the story behind Springsteen’s 1982 album Nebraska. It’s set to release in theaters on October 24. The Emmy-winning White, best known for FX’s The Bear — has taken on the role of the rock icon and reportedly performs some of the vocals himself. In the trailer, he can be seen singing parts of “Born to Run.” Though it’s the performance as a whole that has fans split down the middle.
Springsteen biopic’s casting choice draws both Oscar buzz and harsh skepticism online
From the moment the trailer hit the internet, fans began taking sides. Some were quick to rally behind White. Even suggesting his take on Springsteen could lead to Oscar gold. “This trailer solidified in my mind that Jeremy Allen White is a movie star,” one fan shared on X. Another added, “Excited to see Jeremy Allen White embody the Boss, this is going to be epic.” The buzz even turned award-centric. “It won’t be long until Jeremy Allen White adds an Academy Award to his list of achievements,” one user wrote. A separate post declared, “Jeremy Allen White Oscar campaign has officially begun. Let’s go!”
But not everyone’s sold on it. For some, White’s transformation into the Jersey legend falls flat. Especially in terms of resemblance and voice. “Holy s***, I like Jeremy Allen White, but this movie is gonna be awful. They couldn’t find one actor that at least remotely resembled Bruce?” one fan criticized. Another chimed in: “Looks good but he doesn’t really have Bruce’s look or sound imo.” Comparisons were inevitable. “Unlike Chalamet playing Bob Dylan, I just don’t see Jeremy as Bruce,” someone else remarked, referring to A Complete Unknown, the upcoming Dylan biopic.
The film’s trailer, lasting just over two minutes, shows glimpses of White diving into Springsteen’s emotional depths during the making of Nebraska. Widely considered one of his most introspective albums. But the fierce debate around White’s casting may overshadow the story the film is trying to tell. Whether it becomes a hit or a Hollywood misstep, Deliver Me from Nowhere is already making noise. And Jeremy Allen White is right at the center of it.
