Eric Bana To Play Mike ‘The Bike’ Hailwood In Story Widely Considered The Greatest Come Back In Sporting History

Eric Bana’s Pick Up Truck Pictures and Robert Connolly’s Arenamedia have secured rights to the Mike “The Bike” story. Mike Hailwood, considered the greatest motorcycle racer of all time, retired from racing bikes at the peak of his career in 1967, having won 12 times at the Isle of Man.

From a screenplay written by Bana to be Directed by Bana and Connolly, and starring Bana, the feature film will tell the story of the nine-time world champion motorcycle racer returning to the notorious Isle of Man TT in 1978, after an 11 year hiatus, aboard a Ducati. Run on public roads on the British Island, The Isle of Man is known to be the most dangerous Motorsport event in the world, with 151 fatalities since its inception in 1907.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Eric Bana and Robert Connolly have taken Mike’s story to adapt into a feature film about his historic ‘comeback’ race win,” said Hailwood’s widow Pauline Hailwood and their son David. “We are delighted that Mike will be depicted by Eric Bana, an actor with an immense passion and knowledge of Motorsports, Mike’s career, and a rider himself.”

Connolly and Bana have recently completed the feature film THE DRY, based on Jane Harper’s worldwide best seller, produced by Bruna Papandrea’s Made up Stories. Bana stars in the film, with Bana and Connolly also producing.

Bana’s directing debut LOVE THE BEAST premiered at the TriBeCa Film festival in 2009, with Connolly’s credits including BALIBO starring Oscar Isaac and PAPER PLANES. The pair also collaborated on the Australian feature ROMULUS MY FATHER.

Bana is represented by WME and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Connolly is represented by UTA and Untitled Entertainment.

Our thanks and very best wishes to you all,

Pauline & Dave