Last month, a leaked copy of an early draft of the screenplay for Oliver Stone’s George W. Bush biopic made the rounds, sending moviegoers and political junkies alike into paroxysms of speculation about just how Stone would depict the still-sitting president on film. Now we have some answers. In this week’s EW cover story, we have an exclusive first look at the production of W, including interviews with stars Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks (pictured) and director/co-screenwriter Stone. In the article, the creators discuss the inevitable questions about the film’s accuracy and fairness, the reluctance of almost everyone in Hollywood (right or left) to get involved in the project, the still ongoing search for an actor to play Dick Cheney, and the film’s possible impact on the 2008 presidential election (the producers want Stone to rush the film into theaters by October — unlikely but not impossible).
Here’s your chance, PopWatchers, to weigh in. Read the story, then tell us: Do you think the movie will be good? Will it be fair? Is it too soon to make a movie about the still-in-office president, or is it important to have a biopic out while he’s still in power and on everyone’s mind? Will W have any real-world impact? Do Brolin and Banks look like good fits to play George and Laura Bush? And given the president’s current unpopularity, do you think many ticketbuyers will want to see W?
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i’d go see it if it’s done right. as long as it has all of the controversies surrounding bush’s presidency like the elections, 9-11, and the iraq war.
THAT’S Josh Brolin? Holy $%$!
I don’t like anything Stone does anymore. I just don’t get why he’s still working and considered “great”. the last movie I paid to see was Any Sunday, after that it was downhill for me with him as a director.
Oliver Stone carries a lot of credibility with me, so I just might see this one. I’m not entirely sure what a “fair and true portrait of the man” is going to mean, but I sincerely hope this film embarasses and humiliates George W. Bush! When he leaves office in January 2009, he will be leaving this country a legacy of horrific sh*t! I swear, there are times that I’m ashamed to be an American citizen under our current government!
Eric – is that a Dixie Chicks impersonation? Funny how they were crucified years ago, and now a significant chunk of the population feels that way (me too). I personally think it’s way too early for this film. For starters, will it change anyone’s perceptions? the W apologists and the W loathers will no doubt maintain their beliefs. I think you need the passage of time (and presidential successors) to properly frame a more insightful perspective. (And how can’t it inevitably substantiate what many think – W will be viewed as at least the worst modern era president).
I’m not sure I can imagine a movie I’d like to see less. Oliver Stone, master of ridiculous conspiracy theories, aping and magnifying the nutso liberal conspiracy theories about Bush? Watching a colonoscopy would be more entertaining.
(Look, Bush was, without a doubt, a bad president. Doesn’t make him evil or stupid, though…just wrong.)
I wouldn’t see this movie if you paid me. I run to the TV to change the channel any time Bush’s name is even mentioned. Sit through an entire movie about him? No thanks. I hope to never hear that name again after January 2009. I’ve had enough of the real thing. I certainly don’t need an actor up on screen rehashing all the horridness that Bush is responsible for.
Al Fredo took the words right out of my mouth. Right now, I couldn’t be less interested in seeing a serious film about Bush. I doubt it will change anyone’s opinions about the man.
Nope, lived the nightmare for 8 years, don’t need to see the movie. P.S., is it me or does Brolin look constipated? (Insert your own Bush joke here).
A little lighter on the hair and Josh would be a deadringer for his dad… I mean they resembled each other, but that’s a little scary.
I think by the time this movie comes out the interest won’t be half as much as it is now. I think a lot of people will be ready to move on.
I’d like to see somebody addressing the close ties between the Bush family and the Hinkleys up on the big screen for more people to hear about, but that’ll never happen… Even if it does, I don’t think I could sit through 2 hours of Dubya’s life & times.
A biopic on our still-in-office president…meh. I really don’t think it will change anyones perception of George W.
Is it just me, or does Elizabeth Banks look a lot like Parker Posey in that photo?
I suggest Stone consider doing this as a movie for tv – perhaps Fox will take it – because I can’t think of a single soul who’d consider seeing it other than the current First Family. BTW, how about that guy who played “VP” in “The Day After Tomorrow” – Kenneth Welsh? He’s already done it once.
…I meant, Kenneth Welsh to play Cheney, of course.
Maybe it’s my monitor, but Brolin looks more like Tom Brokaw than W in that picture.
I’ve never liked Stone’s movies, I HATED Born on the 4th of July, first movie I ever thought about walking out of. It’s obvious he has liberal leanings and the “rush” to get it out in time for the election, I highly doubt it’s going to be fair (even if McCain isn’t in it…yet). So isn’t it just in bad taste at this point? It’s too early to tell the real legacy, too late to effect the re-election, at this point it’s trying to hurt Republicans in general, and antagonize Rush or Bill or whoever the big right wing radio or TV pundants are who will whine and moan about him being unfair. Look, if Bush is really that bad, wouldn’t you rather just let it end than drag on? If everyone knows how bad it was, whats the point in prolonging it? It’s like hating Oliver Stone movies but you keep watching them just so you can complain about how bad they are…
snore! when was the last time Oliver Stone did a good movie?
Thanks, cimagato! I was trying to figure out who Brolin looks like in that get up: Tom Brokaw! I don’t personally think he looks like W, but then again, we tend to be saturated with images of anyone currently in office. This movie needs to wait a few years, when we are actually willing to reflect on this presidency – and don’t exactly remember W’s looks and mannerisms as well.
I agree completely with Chaddogg. Bush was pretty sucky as President in many many areas…yes. Is he a truly bad and evil person? No. I’d rather just let him end his term in some kind of peace; let him go away quietly and with some respect. As poorly as he handled many issues, I feel that every President deserves at least that.
Definitely did not beleive that was Josh Brolin, but another “Who does this look like?” has been bothering me more: did anyone else think that Elizabeth Banks was Parker Posey? Save for the hair, she looks EXACTLY like her!
Whoops, sorry Vince, didn’t see your comment… but yes, I agree 100%.
Didn’t Primary Colors come out while Clinton was still in office? So this isn’t really unprecedented. That being said, I think I’d only want to see this movie if Bush was being played by Will Ferrell.
Yes definately Parker Posey but with a little Rachael McAdams thrown in. As far as the movie goes, Oliver Stone for whatever reason, comes off as an incredibly self-important arteest and it’s off putting enough that I can never sit through one of his movies without consciously noticing the ACTING and the WRITING and the ARTISTIC MERIT. And it gets boring not being able to get involved in the actual story. Oh – and they should get Darrell Hammond to play Dick Cheney – duh.
I gotta laugh, because Lady Bush in the movie, way too good looking and young… dewd… I smell Alexander all over again.
I lived through the stupidity and the comedy that was W. Hell do i want to pay money to see it again. WE HAVE PAID ENOUGH. I’ll watch this movie on Comedy Central…
My primary question is, why is this movie even being made? After 8 years of someone who pretty much everyone has agreed was a terrible president, why on earth would Oliver Stone think I want to watch a movie about that man? There is absolutely no way you could package this movie that would make me want to watch it. I don’t want to watch the many parodies that are out there already; it’s been done to death. Further, I’m sure that I’m not going to want to revisit the man once he’s finally out of office and out of the public eye. Plus, hubris isn’t exactly the most interesting flaw to have; I just cannot picture ever wanting to watch this movie.
Also, who on earth greenlit this terrible idea? Who bought into a movie based on a man that pretty much no one likes, and figured that people would want to buy pictures to that bio-pic?
Bonnylass: there is a difference between an explicit biopic and a satirical/veiled reference fictionalized story like Primary Colors (or for that matter Citizen Kane/William Randoloph Hearst).
To Kerri and Chaddogg: I disagree completely. we aren’t talking about the guy in your neighborhood deli who always screws up your sandwich order. To quote Spiderman, with great power comes great responsibility. This is the leader of the free world, for crying out loud.
JJ-do you really think i don’t know the difference between a biopic and a fictionalized satire? Do you have a point? Is one more or less appropriate than the other?
am i the only one picturing james woods as cheney??? i think brolin makes an excellent bush; banks is a tad young for laura though. i’m sure it will be a fascinating movie.