Tom Hiddleston has been cast to play Sir Edmund Hillary in the upcoming biopic “Tenzing,” alongside Willem Dafoe as English expedition leader Colonel John Hunt. The film will tell the story of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, the Nepalese-Indian mountaineer who, along with Hillary, became one of the first men to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953.
The search is now on for an actor to portray Tenzing, who had attempted to scale Everest six times before the historic 1953 expedition. Director Jennifer Peedom, known for her acclaimed documentary “Sherpa,” expressed her excitement about bringing Tenzing’s story to the screen, stating that the film will showcase what human beings are truly capable of.
Norbu Tenzing, son of Tenzing Norgay, praised Peedom for her deep understanding of the Sherpa community and culture, expressing his trust in her to tell his father’s story authentically. The script for the film is being penned by “Lion” writer Luke Davies, with Peedom and Davies serving as producers alongside See-Saw Films’ Liz Watts, Emile Sherman, and Iain Canning.
Producers Emile and Iain expressed their excitement to work with Peedom, highlighting her experience in high-altitude filmmaking and storytelling skills as assets for the project. The film is expected to resonate widely with audiences, showcasing the incredible achievements of Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary on their journey to the top of the world.