It is never easy to portray real people on screen. It is a given that living people, or their surviving family members, will watch the final product, which creates heavy pressure to get the performance right. However, it seems Guy Pearce has been saved from that predicament. His role as News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch in Danny Boyle’s biographical drama Ink has already earned a positive reaction from the media mogul himself.

During the film’s world premiere on Wednesday, Guy Pearce shared Rupert Murdoch’s reaction to having him portray the media giant.

Danny Boyle’s Ink chronicles the journey of The Sun newspaper in late-1960s Britain under media mogul Rupert Murdoch and editor Larry Lamb. Guy Pearce, who plays newspaper magnate Rupert Murdoch, stopped by the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday, where he shared that Murdoch had approved of his casting.

Although Pearce has not heard directly from Murdoch, he got in touch with Murdoch’s daughter, Elisabeth, who confirmed that the media mogul is indeed “very happy” about being portrayed by Pearce.

“She did say to me, ‘Dad’s very happy that you’re playing him,’” Pearce said, as reported by Variety.

The film, adapted by James Graham from his 2017 stage play, stars Jack O’Connell and Claire Foy alongside Pearce in the leading roles. While O’Connell plays Lamb, Foy stars as Jules Davies. However, Murdoch’s approval of the casting, as shared by Variety, came before he watched the film, although he is familiar with the story, having seen the play both in the West End and on Broadway.

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The director of Ink has also revealed that there will be subtle differences between the film and the stage plays.

Danny Boyle opened the 83rd Biennale Wednesday night with his biographical drama. During the official opening-day press conference for the Venice Film Festival, Boyle publicly emphasised that the film deliberately does not villainize Rupert Murdoch. Boyle portrays both Murdoch and Larry Lamb as populist alternatives to an arrogant media class, bringing in a new era of political storytelling. 

It highlights Murdoch's genuine love for print journalism and his controversial choices with nuance instead of portraying him as an evil genius. With a fresh take on Murdoch’s life and empire, Guy Pearce’s Ink may in fact earn the media mogul’s approval on more than just Pearce’s casting.

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What do you think about Rupert Murdoch’s reaction to Guy Pearce's casting? Let us know in the comments!