Blind Side director to helm ‘The Founder’ movie about rise of McDonald’s fast food empire

THE Social Network meets fast food? The power struggles that built the McDonald’s empire are set to be made into a juicy Hollywood drama.

1950s pic shows the first McDonald's in Des Plaines, Illinois. Ray Kroc's first McDonalds restaurant opened here on 15 Apr 1955. AFP picMcDonald's/Corp cafes restaurants exterior advertising signs signage motor vehicles cars classic travel usa fifties 50s

THE power struggles around the rise of fast food giant McDonald’s are set to be turned into movie.

John Lee Hancock, who wrote and directed Sandra Bullock film The Blind Side, is in talks to direct the Maccas movie, called The Founder.

It is said to be an epic about American greed along the lines of There Will Be Blood and The Social Network, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Business drama ... John Lee Hancock, who wrote and directed The Blind Side, is set to helm the film about the rise of McDonald’s. Picture: Supplied

The drama would tell the true story of how salesman Ray Kroc turned a small family burger store in California into a global empire.

Kroc met brothers Mac and Dick McDonalds in the 1950s, and quickly saw the potential in their unique method of quickly preparing food. He eventually wrestled control of the company from the McDonald’s family, and turned it into a global phenomenon.

Business genius ... McDonald's fast food founder Ray Kroc eats a hamburger outside one of the first franchises. Picture: Supplied

Keen ... Birdman star Michael Keaton may star as Kroc. Picture: AP Photo/Fox Searchlight

Hancock’s last film was Saving Mr Banks, which starred Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson and followed the Australian childhood and Disney battles of Mary Poppins writer PL Travers.

Variety reports that nice guy actor Hanks turned down the role of Kroc but may still be in the running. Michael Keaton, who is earning rave reviews for Birdman, is also reportedly keen to play Kroc.