Plenty of folks are dumbstruck or downright peeved about the casting of Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs in the upcoming indie biopic Jobs. But one of Jobs' oldest associates has now given Kutcher his blessing.

Steve Wozniak, who co-founded Apple with Jobs and Ronald Wayne, told TMZ, "The fear that many might have is that Ashton was selected because he's 'hot' right now. But I feel that his selection was done in the most professional manner. And I'm glad that he's onboard. I think he'll put a lot into it and that he cares about this particular subject."

"There is probably little I can say, other than expressing my belief that this will be a great and popular film," said Wozniak. "My hopes are that this film turns out as truthful and genuine as possible. I can't judge that aspect until the film is done and I see it."

He added, "It's almost too bad that Steve Jobs is gone. His opinions and guidance, as to the story and film crew and cast would have been invaluable."

Joshua Michael Stern (Swing Vote) will direct Jobs from a script by Michael Whiteley. Filming begins in May to coincide with Kutcher's hiatus from Two and a Half Men.

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