Bjorn Borg's Son to Play Tennis Legend in Biopic

Leo Borg will play the Swedish tennis star as a child in 'Borg/McEnroe,' with Sverrir Gudnason playing the adult Borg opposite Shia LaBeouf as John McEnroe.

Like father, like son.

Leo Borg, the son of five-time Wimbledon champion Bjorn Borg, will step into his father's large sneakers for Borg/McEnroe, the upcoming biopic which will chronicle the legendary tennis rivalry between Swedish icon Borg and John McEnroe.

Leo Borg will play his father as a child, aged 9-13, and will be one of three actors to depict him in the film. Swedish actor Sverrir Gudnason will portray the tennis ace in his 1970s heyday. Shia LaBeouf is playing John McEnroe in the feature from Danish director Janus Metz (Armadillo).

“Leo Borg auditioned for the part and the fact that he already is playing tennis was pure fluke,” Metz said Monday in a statement. “He is also interested in filmmaking and is somewhat of a natural talent in front of the camera. ... His contribution to the film's authenticity in a story that takes us behind the official image of the legend Bjorn Borg is invaluable.”

Another first-time actor, Markus Mossberg, will play a slightly older version of Bjorn Borg in the film.

Borg/McEnroe also stars Stellan Skarsgard (The Avengers) as Borg's trainer, Lennart "Labbe" Bergelin and Ian Blackman (Hail Caesar!) as McEnroe's father. Swedish actress Tuva Novotny will play Romanian tennis player and Borg love interest Mariana Simionescu.

SF Studios is producing the film together with Film Vast, SVT, Nordisk Film, Yellow Film, SF Studios and Sirena Film. Nordisk is distributing the film in Scandinavia, with SF Studios handling international sales.

LaBeouf is repped by CAA and John Crosby Management; Gudnason, Skarsgard and Novotny are with Agentfirman Planthaber/Kilden/Mandic; and Janus Metz is handled by CAA and Cinetic.