This could actually work if they started filming within the next couple of years but I've thought for a long time that if there were to be a Willie Nelson biopic that Martin Freeman would be perfect for the role. His singing chops may be lacking I'm not sure, but he looks remarkably like young(-ish) Willie and being…

That is entirely false. It was speculated that Clift turned down the role because he didn't enjoy working with such well know conservatives in Hawk and Wayne but Duke never attempted to bully/fire him during the Red River shoot. And while Duke most certainly didn't approve of homosexuality he was obviously tolerant…