Captain Sir Tom Moore is getting a biopic and thinks Michael Caine could play him

99-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, after he achieved his goal of 100 laps of his garden - raising more than 12 million pounds for the NHS. (Photo by Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images)
99-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore after he raised more than 12 million pounds for the NHS. (Photo by Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images)

Captain Sir Tom Moore is getting the big-screen treatment following a fierce bidding war.

The life story of the centenarian, who raised more than £32 million for the NHS by walking laps of his Bedfordshire garden, will be shot next year.

The Second World War veteran quipped: “I don’t know of any 100-year-old actors but I’m sure Michael Caine or Anthony Hopkins could do a wonderful job if they were prepared to age up!”

At 87, Caine is 13 years Tom Moore’s junior, while Hopkins is a comparatively spritely 82.

The “uplifting” and “life-affirming” biopic will focus on the former British Army captain’s “close relationship with his family and explore how his strength, wisdom and humour changed the way they viewed the world”.

Michael Caine opposite John David Washington on his one day of filming Tenet. (Image by Warner Bros)
Michael Caine opposite John David Washington on his one day of filming Tenet. (Image by Warner Bros)

The movie will “draw on his military career and dramatise how personal grief and the horrors of war shaped his life and inspired him to keep walking”.

The fundraising hero made headlines by walking laps of his garden in the run-up to his 100th birthday, amid the pandemic, to raise funds from the NHS.

Read more: Paul Gascoigne biopic on the way

He also broke two Guinness World Records, scored a Number One single and was knighted by the Queen.

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - JULY 17: Queen Elizabeth II (using the sword that belonged to her father, King George VI) confers the Honour of Knighthood on Captain Sir Thomas Moore before presenting him with the insignia of Knight Bachelor during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on July 17, 2020 in Windsor, England.  British World War II veteran Captain Tom Moore raised over £32 million for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.  (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Queen Elizabeth II confers the Honour of Knighthood on Captain Sir Thomas Moore. (Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

The film will be made by Fred Films and Powder Keg Pictures, whose credits together include Fisherman’s Friends, about the Cornish fishermen who signed a record deal, and Finding Your Feet, starring Imelda Staunton.

Writers/producers Nick Moorcroft and Meg Leonard said in a joint statement: “This is a story about the power of the human spirit and Captain Sir Tom personifies that.

Watch Captain Tom Moore opens up about his wife’s passing on BBC News...

“We are honoured to be telling this unique and inspiring story and are excited about audiences getting to know the man behind the headlines.”

Producer James Spring said: “At a time of fear and uncertainty 161 countries around the world embraced the beacon of hope that Captain Sir Tom provided. We are privileged that Tom and his family have entrusted us to tell their story.”

MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Captain Sir Tom Moore poses during a photocall to mark the launch of his memoir "Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day" at The Coach House on September 17, 2020 in Milton Keynes, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Captain Sir Tom Moore poses during a photocall to mark the launch of his memoir "Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day" at The Coach House on September 17, 2020 in Milton Keynes, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

The Second World War veteran’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore said: “We received so many offers but what it boiled down to was trust.

“The family are big fans of the films James, Meg and Nick have written and produced and we hope that our story connects with audiences in the same way their previous films have done.”