Ashton Kutcher ('The Butterfly Effect') has been tapped to star in an independent film about the life of Apple co-founder, and all-around genius, Steve Jobs. The movie, at this point called 'Jobs,' will be directed by Michael Stern ('Swing Vote') and based on a script by Matt Whitely. 'Jobs' will cover Steve's story from hippie all the way to co-founder of one of the largest companies on the planet. The film is set to begin shooting in May, convenient for Kutcher who will be on break from CBS' 'Two and a Half Men' where he not too long ago replaced troubled actor Charlie Sheen. This project is entirely separate from the Jobs biopic Sony Pictures is planning, which will be based on the biography by Walter Isaacson of Time magazine.

I will grant you that there is a resemblance between young Steve Jobs and Ashton Kutcher, but is that all that we require anymore when casting for biopics? Shouldn't, I don't know, acting ability come into play here somewhere? If the performance is strong enough, and the story compelling, an audience can often overlook dissimilarities in appearance. Frank Langella looks very little like Richard Nixon, but I'll be damned if he isn't spellbinding in 'Frost/Nixon.' Plus, Steve Jobs was one of the greatest minds of our time, and he's going to be played by the 'Punk'd' guy? I know he's done a few dramatic roles and whatnot, but let's just say my confidence in his ability is thin at best. The good news here is that we are apparently still going to see the Sony biopic so this may end up being an 'Infamous'/'Capote' situation wherein we can choose which Jobs cinebiography we prefer. My money's not on the one featuring the co-star of 'Dude Where's My Car?'

What do you guys think? Is it possible that Kutcher could pull this off? Is physical resemblance all that matters to you in a biopic?

Source: Variety