Scorpions Biopic ‘Wind Of Change’ From ESX-Fox-WB Sets Cast With Dominic West, Alexander Dreymon, Ludwig Trepte, Ed Speleers & More
EXCLUSIVE: ESX Entertainment‘s new biopic about the Scorpions, the German band whose music defined an end to the Cold War and a bridge to peace at the time, has set its cast with Dominic West (The Crown), Alexander Dreymon (The Last Kingdom), Ludwig Trepte (Generation War), Ed Speleers (You), David Kross (The Reader) and Luke Brandon Field (Interview with the Vampire, Jojo Rabbit). Cameras are rolling at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in London for a theatrical release this year.
In addition, we’ve learned that FOX Entertainment Global has worldwide distribution rights, excluding U.S. and global transactional which Warner Bros Discovery Global Content Sales will manage. Both studios are producing with ESX.
Dreymon will play guitarist Rudolf Schenker, Trepte is Klaus Meine, Speleers is Matthias Jab and Field is the drummer Herman Rarebell. West will play their manager, Doc McGhee, and Kross will star as Andrej, the band’s imprisoned friend on the other side of the Berlin wall.
At the heart of the film is their iconic anthem “Wind of Change,” which became the soundtrack to the end of the Cold War, symbolizing hope, peace and unity. Through their music, with hits ranging from “Rock You Like a Hurricane” to “Still Loving You,” the Scorpions helped bridge the divide between East and West.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey developing this film and bringing it to life feels surreal” says Ali Afshar, Founder and President of ESX Entertainment. “Not only did the Scorpions’ music help me get through tremendous difficulties as an Iranian immigrant in America in the early 80’s, but their message of love, peace and rock ‘n’ roll seems more relevant today than ever. This cast is an amazing ensemble of truly great talent. I can’t thank FOX Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment enough for their support and especially the band — Rudolf, Klaus and Matthias — for believing in us and trusting us to tell their life story.”
The Scorpions have sold 110 million albums sold worldwide, and are arguably one of Germany’s most successful musical exports. Their hits “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and “Wind of Change” continue to do extremely well in the digital era, the latter surpassing one billion streams across platforms and remaining a cultural touchstone. .
Wind of Change is produced by ESX Entertainment’s Ali Afshar, Christina Moore and Daniel Aspromonte for FOX Entertainment Studios in association with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. The film is written by Mark Andrews and directed by Alex Ranarivelo. FOX Entertainment Global retains worldwide distribution rights excluding U.S. and Global transactional rights, which Warner Bros. Discovery Global Content Sales will manage.
West is repped by Tavistock Wood and WME. Dreymon is a client of Gersh and Untitled Entertainment. Trepte is repped by Players. Speelers is represented by Paradigm and Independent Talent Group in the UK. Frasier is repped by Zero Gravity Management, Payne Management & Bloch Law.
