Who Should Play Mario Batali & Gordon Ramsay in the Marco Pierre White Movie?

by Hillary Dixler Canavan@hillarydixler Jul 22, 2014, 10:35am EDT

Hillary Dixler Canavan is Eater's restaurant editor and the author of the publication's debut book, Eater: 100 Essential Restaurant Recipes From the Authority on Where to Eat and Why It Matters (Abrams, September 2023). Her work focuses on dining trends and the people changing the industry — and scouting the next hot restaurant you need to try on Eater's annual Best New Restaurant list.

Last week, Eater reported that legendary British chef Marco Pierre White's memoir The Devil in the Kitchen has been optioned by director/producer Ridley Scott. The biggest question about the potential film, of course, is: Who should play White?

Ripe fodder for film, White's book chronicles his rise to celebrity chefdom in the 80s and 90s. Helping him along the way was a young Gordon Ramsay (nowadays the two are famously estranged). For a time there was even a young Mario Batali in White's kitchen. The story could be adapted in any number of ways, so below are casting suggestions that account for flashback possibilities — so both older and younger White and Ramsay — as well as some picks for a young Batali. Have a better idea? You know what to do.

For reference, here's what White looked like during the period the film takes place.

marco-pierre-white-devil-in-the-kitchen-white-heat-old-photos.jpg
[Photos: Marco Pierre White official site]

Younger Marco Pierre White

Tom Hiddleston

Tom-Hiddleston-Marco-Pierre-White-Devil-In-The-Kitchen.jpg
[Photo: Franziska Krug/Getty Images]

He's tall. He's British. He can rock long hair. A definite contender.

Andrew Lincoln

Andrew-Lincoln-Marco-Pierre-White-devil-in-the-kitchen.jpg
[Photo: MAX NASH/AFP/Getty Images]

This British actor can be emotionally raw (cf. Love, Actually) but can also kill zombies by the truckload (cf. The Walking Dead). A bit older perhaps than the other choices, but MPW is an old soul, right?

James Franco

James-Franco-Marco-Pierre-White-Devil-in-the-Kitchen.jpg
[Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images]

Are people even allowed to make movies without James Franco anymore? No. This actor can brood his way out of anything.

Russell Brand

[Photo: Amy Graves/WireImage/Getty Images]

Obviously.

Current Marco Pierre White

Russell Crowe

Russell-Crowe-Marco-Pierre-White-Devil-In-The-Kitchen.jpg
[Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic/Getty Images]

He would certainly connect with MPW's temper. The Sydney Morning Herald has floated a rumor that he's in contention for the role, having worked with Ridley Scott on the 2000 blockbuster Gladiator.

Clive Owen

[Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images]