Oscar-nominated Australian filmmaker Bruce Beresford (pictured) has signed on to direct an upcoming biopic of Canadian golfer Murray “Moe” Norman.

The feature, titled The Place I Belong, is produced by St. John’s, Nfld.’s David Carver, with Brantford, Ont.-raised NHL star Wayne Gretzky and U.S. actor Jane Gretzky as coproducers. Canadian comedian David Steinberg and author and producer Robyn Todd are executive producers.

Beresford will direct the film, with the screenplay penned by Carver, Mark Bergen, Josh Schorr and Todd Korgan. The script is based on previous versions from Joshua Michael Stern, David Lee Miller and Eric Adams, according to a news release.

The Place I Belong, first announced in 2021, follows Norman’s journey as a self-taught golfer who eventually went pro before being bullied out of the sport. Production is expected to begin in spring 2024 in the U.S. and Canada.

Beresford is a two-time Oscar nominee, first in 1981 for his adapted screenplay Breaker Morant, and a directing nomination in 1984 for Tender Mercies. He also helmed the 1989 feature Driving Miss Daisy, which won four Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture.

“As a non-golfer, when I received the script, I thought I would read a few pages then politely pass. My prejudice disintegrated a few pages in,” said Beresford in a statement. “The story of Moe’s amazing life and career, and of those around him, is told with humour, compassion, sophistication and depth.”

Beresford is represented by David Gersh at The Gersh Agency. Steinberg and Todd are repped by Jason Weinberg at Untitled Entertainment.

Photo courtesy of Bruce Beresford