Director James Mangold Wants to Make a Bruce Springsteen Biopic

In 2002, Mike Loftus established MLE Merchandising & Sign Solutions, Inc., a middle-market brand services company specializing in branding, signage, retail construction, and printing. Now, MLE has a presence in 14 states with over 100 employees. When Mike Loftus is not working, he enjoys listening to Bruce Springsteen, whom he considers one of his favorite musicians. 

Film director James Mangold has expressed interest in potentially making a Bruce Springsteen biopic focusing on a tumultuous period early in the Boss’ career. Mangold directed 2005’s Johnny Cash biopic, Walk the Line. More recently, he directed Fox’s superhero film Logan, part of the X-Men franchise. 

Mangold envisions a Springsteen film concentrating on the E Street Band’s mid-70s legal struggles with Mike Appel, the band’s former manager. The drama, which prevented the band from recording any new songs for a two-year period, came soon after the success of their 1975 album, Born to Run. 

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Mangold professed himself as a “lifetime Springsteen fan,” though it’s uncertain whether the director’s enthusiasm for the musician will be enough. In a 2016 interview with BBC 6 Music, Springsteen said that his ideal director for his biopic would be legendary director Martin Scorsese.