Ashton Kutcher’s casting as Steve Jobs in the biopic drew immediate attention, not simply because of his star power but because of the delicate task of portraying a tech icon who left a lasting mark on the industry. The project invited comparisons to Jobs’s public appearances, his famous presentations, and the complex personality that helped shape a company that changed the world. Fans in Canada and the United States, along with critics, wondered if Kutcher could carry the weight of such a legacy while delivering a performance that felt truthful and personal rather than performative. In the months leading up to production, interviews and public statements hinted at a careful approach to this character, signaling that the film would aim for a grounded, human portrayal rather than a mere impression.
“The idea of playing the role terrified me,” Kutcher admitted. “I’ve found that the greatest rewards I’ve received in my life have come from jumping at the opportunities to take on things that scare me.” Reading the script gave him a knot in his stomach, and he worried that the actors portraying these legendary people would not do them justice. “If this film becomes an enduring memory, of a man I admire, I wanted to ensure that it was portrayed by someone who cared about his legacy and took the time to represent him in a way that people who were close to Steve felt to be authentic,” he stated. The conversations around the screenplay underscored the responsibility felt by everyone involved to honor Jobs’s memory while offering audiences a window into the man behind the legend.
In the end, Kutcher’s worry about remaining true to the role pushed him to stay in character between takes, a level of commitment that underscored the seriousness of his approach. The intensity reportedly went so far that he ended up in the hospital after losing 20 pounds on the fruitarian diet associated with Steve Jobs.
JOBS hits theatres, and audiences will decide whether the portrayal lives up to the memory of Steve Jobs.