A look at Jimmy Stewart's life and upcoming biopic

Pop culture biopics are trending on the big screen and soon Jimmy Stewart will join the list.

But students at Brigham Young University can already dive into his life at the Harold B. Lee Library.

The first floor of the Harold B. Lee Library is home to its Special Collections, which includes personal belongings and documents of the 20th-century Hollywood star, Jimmy Stewart.

Burns and Co. and Fathom are teaming up to reintroduce audiences to Jimmy Stewart starring KJ Apa.

However, students are at a unique advantage by accessing Stewart's papers at BYU.

"I think it was assumed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences or UCLA or USC, that they would just inherit his papers," Ben Harry, Harold B. Lee Library archivist, said.

By the 1970s, Stewart had developed a relationship with BYU, David O. McKay and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

When asked about donating his legacy, Stewart contributed letters, photos, military documents and more to Brigham Young University.

"No other institution had approached him up to then," Harry said.

Harry works directly with Stewart's collection. He shared his perspective and insight on the upcoming biopic.

"Our actor there, Mr. Apa, is trying to channel Jimmy's drawl," Harry said.

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A still from the short film “Mr. Krueger’s Christmas,” directed by Keith Merrill. There’s a scene in which James Stewart’s “Mr. Krueger” dreams of directing the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

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A still from when Jimmy Stewart won the Oscar for Best Actor in George Cukor’s “The Philadelphia Story.” Stewart won the war shortly before being inducted into the U.S. Army during World War II. (BYU Special Collections)

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A still from the short film “Sentimental Journey.” The film depicts a characterised Jimmy Stewart reminiscing on aviation. (BYU Special Collections)

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A still from Jimmy Stewart’s performance of “The Tiger’s Smile.” The performance is available to view for research at the Harold B. Lee Library. (BYU Special Collections)

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A still from a recorded interview with Jimmy Stewart. Library archivist, Ben Harry, referenced this interview when comparing KJ Apa’s interpretation of Stewart’s voice to Stewart in a candid setting. (BYU Special Collections)

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"He's speaking so much like a person from the 1930s and the people around him sound like they were speaking much more like we would today," Harry said.

Harry believes the film will rely heavily on a 2026 retrospective lens.

"At the time, he was still quite an up-and-coming actor, if we went to war, he wouldn't even be as big as Timothée Chalamet," Harry said.

Harry also noticed a focus on Stewart's World War II service and recommended a few books to read ahead of the film's release.

“The war drama looks pretty intense. He did see action and, for the rest of his life, he was a very large and staunch advocate of aviation," Harry said.

The trailer features a war-torn Stewart navigating his persona shift when working on Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life."

"He did decide to come back to Hollywood. Frank Capra was able to strike a nerve with Jimmy as he said, 'no, we're going to make films with a purpose and the purpose is going to heal the country,’" Harry said.

Every few years, BYU screens Stewart's personal copy of "It's a Wonderful Life" for the holiday season.

"When he came back from World War II, he had it written into all his contracts that he would get a personal copy of his films," Harry said.

"I should definitely do an exhibit or something to coincide at the same time," Harry said.

The James Stewart biopic, "Jimmy," will release in theaters on Nov. 6, 2026.