The two most recognizable brands in the world are Disney and McDonald's. It can argued that too much of either is a bad thing, but filmmaker John Lee Hancock doesn't see it that way. He last directed Saving Mr. Banks, a biopic on the making of Disney's Mary Poppins, and now he's in talks to tell the story of McDonald's expansion into a global fast food empire.
Variety reports Hancock may direct The Founder, which centers on Ray "Big Mack" Croc, a businessman who acquired the efficiently-run burger franchise from the McDonald Brothers and grew it into the most successful fast food chain in history. Robert Siegel (The Wrestler) wrote the screenplay which is described as a cross between The Social Network and There will be Blood, an amazing combination if Hancock can realize it.
And there's some strong talented circling this one already. Producers had been seeking out Hancock and his Saving Mr. Banks star Tom Hanks since early on, but both had turned it down. Hanks could change his mind if Hancock comes aboard, although he may have to fend of Michael Keaton who was waiting on a director before deciding if he would agree to play Croc.
When I think of how McDonald's has been portrayed in the movies I think of Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me first, and chances are so do most other people. So you can bet they'd like any film to come along and change that. Hancock, who mostly makes crowd-pleasing dramas, would be the right pick to put a happy face on McDonald's founding.
