Jacques Villeneuve shares poignant reactions to the upcoming biopic about his father, closing the Toronto Film Festival.
A new biopic titled ‘Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend’ will close the 2026 Toronto Film Festival on September 19, as confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. The film focuses on the life of Gilles Villeneuve, a legendary Formula One driver who tragically passed away in 1982. Jacques Villeneuve, the son of Gilles, expressed heartfelt emotions after viewing a clip of the film, stating, "I was in tears; it was so poignant."
Gilles Villeneuve remains a celebrated figure in motorsports, even decades after his untimely death during a qualifying race for the Belgian Grand Prix at the age of 32. The film aims to capture both his racing successes and the profound impact his fame had on his family. Due to its subject matter and legacy, it is expected to resonate with both longtime F1 fans and new audiences attending the festival.
‘Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend’ is directed by Yan Lanouette Turgeon and features Rémi Goulet as Gilles Villeneuve. The film was produced by Christal Films in Montreal, with the script co-written by Daniel Roby and Guillaume Lonergan. Jacques Villeneuve acknowledged the role of time in developing a story that honors his father's legacy, saying that sufficient time must pass for subsequent generations to appreciate the narrative. He mentioned, "Time needs to pass... for the grandparents to have told stories to their grandkids."
Though Jacques will be unable to attend the gala premiere due to his commitments as an F1 pundit at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he has expressed his approval of the film's portrayal of Gilles Villeneuve’s life, remarking on the authenticity of the accents used and how well the film evokes the 1970s era. He stated, "From those two minutes, it looks like the job has been really well done."
Despite not achieving a high number of race wins, Gilles Villeneuve’s enduring popularity is significant among F1 fans. Jacques reflected on the emotional tie people have with his father, saying, "My father hadn’t won many (F1) races—but he survived for so long because he stayed in the hearts of a lot of fans for many, many years."
The timing of this film’s premiere is also notable in light of the recent surge in Formula One's popularity, particularly in North America. The film's arrival at TIFF aligns with the sport's growing American audience. Jacques Villeneuve commented on this trend, noting, "Racing at F1 has been building up over the last five years, where everybody wants a piece of it."
As audiences await the premiere of ‘Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend’, it stands to be a significant addition to the canon of sports biopics, honoring not only Gilles Villeneuve's legacy but also providing a platform for discussions around family dynamics within competitive sports.
The film promises to delve into the complexities of his father's life, revealing how his passion for racing shaped the family environment for Jacques and his siblings. Fans and newcomers alike are keen to see how this biopic captures the essence of a driver whose influence remains felt after decades.
For more on upcoming events and releases, check out our coverage on the 2026 Emmys and Prime Video's new offerings.
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