'Finding Steve McQueen': Real-life multi-million heist inspires new movie

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- "Finding Steve McQueen" is a new movie based on a 1972 true story. It's about some thieves who break into the United California Bank on a tip from Jimmy Hoffa. The infamous labor leader claimed then President Richard Nixon was hiding $30 million in illegal campaign contributions at the bank.

The movie begins seven years after the robbery with the FBI still working to round up the culprits. William Fichtner plays the mastermind - if you can call him that.

"To figure out that these guys came out and literally--not the brightest bulbs in the closet--figured out how to do this, they couldn't figure out how to get away with it but they figured out how to do it so, yeah, it's a lot of fun.," said Fichtner. "Listen, the first time I read the script, I'm like, 'His name is Enzo Rotella. Listen, I'm a lot of things in my life. I don't really know if I'm the Italian guy.' They're like, 'No no no, Northern Italy. They all got light hair.' I'm like, 'Come on, I've heard that before!"

Now, about the title, "Finding Steve McQueen": Travis Fimmel plays a charismatic guy who's had to change his name a time or two to stay one step ahead of the law.

"He wants a little bit of a criminal life. He wants to be a part of it and he's green," said Fichtner. "And it shows."

Fichtner's current job involves selling a movie he stars in, co-wrote, produced and directed. It took 12 years to make it happen - and it's already won awards at two film festivals.

"It's a G-rated movie. There's no sex, there's no drugs. Nothing blows up," said Fichtner. "It's really about friendship and how far do you go to help a stranger. So, yes, I did make this film and it's called 'Cold Brook' and we're trying to find it a home right now."

Meanwhile, "Finding Steve McQueen" is in theaters March 15 in limited release, and is also available on demand and on digital.