Another Movie about Steve Jobs – How about One about Bill Gates?

I just watched the trailer for the latest Steve Jobs movie that will be released in October. Written by Aaron Sorkin and based on Walter Isaacson’s biography, “Steve Jobs”, I am sure it will be well done and provide fascinating insights into Steve Jobs to those who have not read the book.

Many of you know that I have been a long-time admirer of Jobs; in fact he was probably the person I most wanted to meet some day.

But by my count this is the fourth movie about Steve Jobs. Here is the list:

• Pirates of Silicon Valley
• Jobs
• Steve Jobs: Consciously Genius (documentary)
• Steve Jobs

He is also one of the stars in the current National Geographic series “American Genius: Jobs vs. Gates“.

Jobs (as well as Gates) was also prominently featured in the outstanding PBS documentary from 1996, Triumph of the Nerds.

But it was the NatGeo series that got me thinking.

Why is there not a movie (or two) that focuses just on Bill Gates. He may not have the charisma that Steve Jobs had, but really, how could a movie about someone with Asperger-like tendencies who creates one of the most successful companies of all time, becomes the world’s richest man, and then devotes his life to fixing the world’s biggest problems not be fascinating?

I just checked Bill Gates personal web site, GatesNotes, where he keeps readers informed of what his latest efforts and activities are. Here is a brief rundown of what he has gotten involved with over the past few years:

• Agriculture
• Foreign aid
• HIV-AIDS
• Polio
• Toilets/Sanitation
• Vaccines
• Saving lives
• Energy
• Big History
• Education
• Philanthropy

And he’s gotten a bit more hip in recent years; his Ice Bucket Challenge video was one of the best:

I know I would be quite interested to see a movie that brings together the many facets of Bill’s life, from his days in high school, to Harvard, to starting Microsoft, to his amazing second act as philanthropist and tackling the world’s biggest problems. There might be even time for a look into his personal life and a tour of his spectacular house.

I’ve even thought of a couple people who could possibly have the lead role. Thomas Middleditch, the star of the current hit Silicon Valley, or Stephen Merchant, co-writer and co-producer of the British sitcom, The Office, both seem like viable candidates (although Merchant is 6 foot 7 inches tall).

But I guess while we’re waiting for such a movie to become a reality, we’ll have to settle for another Steve Jobs flick that likely takes a good deal of poetic license with Isaacson’s bio.

Jobs and Gates; Gates and Jobs. Two men who have certainly made a difference in the world; so let’s give them equal air time.