Featured Actor Joined: 8/20/11
I knew Jane Fonda was playing Nancy Reagan in the upcoming film "The Butler," but had no idea Rickman was playing Ronald Reagan. Link below shows a pic of both. I don't think either is a major role, as the focus of the film is on the decades-long career of a White House butler, played by Forest Whitaker. But it will be interesting to see Rickman with the Reagan mannerisms and speech pattern.
http://www.deadline.com/2012/09/jane-fonda-as-nancy-reagan-first-look/
He should portray a very convincing Reagan.His experience in playing Professor Snape I'm sure helps. Jane looks great!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Rickman's attempts at an American accent haven't been terribly successful, have they? He was downright dreadful in that HBO thing SOMETHING THE LORD MADE.
And Nancy Reagan never once projected the intelligence that Ms. Fonda is showing in that photo.
We'll see, of course.
His normal speaking voice is closer to George Sanders than Ronald Reagan. I wonder if he'll be able to pull off the whole tone (soft-spoken congeniality) as well as the American accent.
Certainly a stretch for him. Hopefully, he can rise to the challenge. Jane, on the other hand, looks ready to go. I'm sure she can sink her teeth (and claws) into this part.
Featured Actor Joined: 8/20/11
Just Googled for the rest of the cast. This should be something! Robin Williams as Dwight Eisenhower, Melissa Leo as Mamie Eisenhower, Liev Schreiber as LBJ, John Cusack as Nixon, and Minka Kelly as Jackie Kennedy.
Minka Kelly as Jackie Kennedy.... Jesus H. Christ, Lee Daniels! Did the other casting eat the budget?
Broadway Star Joined: 6/26/11
Oprah is the butlers wife and Mariah Carey has a small role as well.
There is majorly weird, weird casting all over this thing.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/26/11
I wouldn't say Minka is strange casting, when you look at candid photos of Jackie you can see where they got the idea or even by looking at her official portrait. Minka is a fine actress that is really underrated so i think she'll handle the role wonderfully.
Going by this interview, Minka might not be bad casting as Jackie.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2011/09/19/louis-ck-defends-jacqueline-kennedy_n_970703.html
Probably do well at the BO
Robin Williams as Dwight Eisenhower?
WTF?
Why not Groucho Marx as Evita?
It sounds like they pulled names out of fortune cookies and just randomly matched them up.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I can't wait. It's not as important to look exactly the part as it is to somehow convey the essence.
Well, Robin does have Dwight's thin lips.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/26/11
He has Dwights jaw too, if they trim his hair i can see it. I think with the right makeup Leo may even pull off Mamie.
These casting choices are really more or less cameos, it seems.
Robin on the set.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I wish they'd just gone ahead and re-made backstairs at The White House!
I dunno. He still looks more like a Keebler elf with a shaved head than like Ike. Robin's a good actor though, and he can change his voice, too, so we shall see.
Ever since Cate Blanchett pulled off Katharine Hepburn so brilliantly, I guess all bets and preconceptions are off.
I can't wait to see Julia Roberts in the life story of Phyllis Diller!
I remember the small bits of Robin as Teddy Roosevelt in Night at the Museum and wished some director had a TR biopic on the table (Scorsese had one with you know who s Teddy in his younger years) so those talents were in better use.
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