New Jersey Boy, 9, Stars In Springsteen Film: Here's What It Was Like To Meet Bruce

NORTH JERSEY — Breanne Pellicano of Fair Lawn never realized her son Matthew looked like a young Bruce Springsteen. But since he won the role of a young Bruce in the new film "Deliver Me From Nowhere," even the rocker himself has been gushing about the resemblance.

"When he saw Bruce on the set, [Springsteen] kept pulling out photos of himself as a child," said Breanne in an interview Wednesday. "Even his wife Patti [Scialfa], the other day, I showed her a split screen of Matthew as a child and Bruce as a child. She said, 'This is absolutely incredible.' "

The film, starring Jeremy Allen White (above right) as the singer from Freehold, opened in theaters on Friday.

Since the opening, Pellicano's elementary school has been celebrating their fourth grade classmate's newfound stardom. But the 9-year-old actor is trying to keep up his studies while hoping for more roles.

"The kids have been so wonderful to him," Breanne said. "One of them asked him for his autograph. With the school we're in, we are blessed. His teachers and his principal are incredible."

How He Became Bruce

Breanne said that she herself appeared in commercials as a child growing up in Rochelle Park, so at one point, she asked her three boys if they wanted to try it.

Matthew and one of his brothers were interested and landed small roles. Then the boys' manager told them about the Springsteen film.

Matthew tried out by reading lines. He was called back to try some more emotional scenes. Then he had a Zoom interview with director Scott Cooper.

Matthew took time off from school in October and November of last year, his mom said, to be on set, shooting in Jersey City, Freehold, Asbury Park, Rahway, Rockaway, and Orange. Matthew had a tutor while he missed school.

Now he's back in class and hoping for more gigs.

"He wants to continue acting," said Breanne. "He keep telling anyone he meets on the red carpet and everyone else that he's hoping for more. He says, 'I'm going to keep dreaming big and hoping for more movies.' "

Meeting Bruce

Breanne said the family knew of Springsteen's biggest hits — Matthew's favorite is the anthem "Born To Run" — but now that they've been exposed to more of his discography, they've been listening to "Nebraska" and other albums.

Of Springsteen, Breanne said, "He's so kind and so humble and generous. I couldn't say enough nice things about him."

Now that Matthew's life is returning to normal, his mom says the whole situation has been surreal.

"Matthew is a very old soul," she said. "He's like an old man. People notice that he can have a conversation with adults very easily. So I always knew he had an old soul, but I never knew it was the soul of Bruce Springsteen as a child."

Read more about the shooting here.