JAW is playing the 1982 version of The Boss ... the movie -- "Deliver Me From Nowhere" -- chronicles the making of his album, "Nebraska."

Jeremy is all Bruce, at times wearing light blue jeans and a beige work jacket with a cig in hand. In other shots, he's in the obligatory black leather jacket, plaid shirt and hat.

There was one snag ... Bruce has brown eyes and Jeremy has blue -- the problem was solved with contacts.

The two guys have a little history ... The "Bear" star hit up the premiere of the documentary, "Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band" and took pics with Bruce.

"Nebraska" was a key era for Bruce. The album is considered a triumph of inspiration ... filled with Bruce's trademark ... singing about the struggles of working-class folks looking for a purpose in life.

As the studio puts it, "'Nebraska' is considered one of Springsteen's most enduring works -- raw, haunted acoustic record populated by lost souls searching for a reason to believe."

Fun fact ... Bruce recorded the album in a New Jersey bedroom without his E Street Band.