June 19, 2025: The first trailer for the highly anticipated Bruce Springsteen biopic has officially dropped — and it’s already got the internet buzzing. Emmy-winner Jeremy Allen White, best known for The Bear, steps into the shoes (and boots) of The Boss, portraying the iconic rocker during one of his most creatively raw and introspective periods: the making of Nebraska.
🎸 White Channels Springsteen, With The Boss’s Blessing
The film, directed by Scott Cooper and based on Warren Zanes’ acclaimed book, delves into the early 1980s era of Springsteen’s life — following the chart-topping success of Hungry Heart, but before the mainstream explosion of Born in the USA. The emotional, stripped-down Nebraska was recorded largely solo, at home, capturing a haunting intensity that set it apart from his other work.
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In the trailer, White plays guitar, harmonica, and even sings parts of Nebraska and Born to Run — with Springsteen himself giving his stamp of approval. “He’s got an interpretation of me that I think the fans will deeply recognise,” said Springsteen, calling White “a terrific actor” who “sings very well.”
💬 Fan Reactions: Split Between Hype and Hesitation
Online reaction has been mixed — ranging from full-on excitement to cautious skepticism:
- “Nebraska is one of my all-time favorite albums. Absolutely cannot wait for this!” wrote a Reddit user.
- “Got chills hearing the opening of Nebraska. Everyone knows Bruce from Born to Run, but Nebraska is something else,” said another.
- Yet, not everyone’s sold: “Jeremy Allen White just doesn’t look like Bruce — at least 50% of the time. But some shots really hit.”
Another user was more cynical: “This is a very Dewey Cox trailer” — referencing the musical biopic parody Walk Hard — while someone else added, “Scott Cooper directing? I’m out.”
Others questioned the premise itself: “Why are we making biopics about people who are still alive?” And the trailer’s tone? Some felt it leaned a bit too dramatic: “This feels like a parody trailer. Not vibing with Jeremy as Springsteen.”
🎥 Not Your Typical Music Biopic
Fans of the source material and longtime Springsteen followers are still hopeful. With the focus not on Bruce’s entire life but rather a specific, darker era — one filled with doubt, emotional upheaval, and musical reinvention — this isn’t the glossy, stadium-anthem-filled biopic many might expect.
As one fan put it: “If this really captures the spirit of the Nebraska years — the quiet, the loneliness, the genius — then we might be in for something special.”
Verdict So Far?
A polarizing first look — but a compelling one. With Jeremy Allen White’s full-throttle transformation and Springsteen’s blessing in hand, the film might just win over skeptics when it hits theaters.