Anyone who’s read James Swanson’s thrilling Manhunt or Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals has envisioned who might play Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth in a movie adaptation and been tantalized by simmering in-development projects involving Steven Spielberg and Liam Neeson or Harrison Ford.
But perhaps news of Robert Redford’s Lincoln-assassination film, The Conspirator, will finally resurrect such colorful historical characters for the screen. Though the film is primarily about Mary Surratt, who was hanged for her participation in the assassination, Booth is undeniably the killer role. Remember, Booth was a famous actor in his own time who single-handedly impacted history. We’re talking about a murderer who delayed his escape from Ford Theatre so he could deliver one final theatrical line of dialogue: “Sic semper tyrannis.” It’s too surreal to completely fathom a contemporary comparison.
Buried in a Risky Business Blog scoop about Redford’s project, which hopes to shoot this fall, was this nugget: “Producers are out to cast, with James McAvoy said to be at the top of their list for one of the lead roles.” Admittedly, this single line is probably nothing more than a producer’s wish, but I’m intrigued because McAvoy is Booth — has been in my mind since I read Manhunt and saw The Last King of Scotland. Something about those eyes, both charming and dangerous.
Johnny Depp is also a favorite (in my Honest Abe Buffs and Film Geeks Circle, anyway) to play Booth, but the assassin was hunted down and killed at age 26. (Captain Jack is 46.)
Leonardo DiCaprio? Emile Hirsch? Who’s your Booth? McAvoy’s my guy, but I’ll settle for any of these as long as one of these Lincoln films starts shooting soon.
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this actor doesn’t look too bad, but i would look for an actor with even a more rugged look. dillinger wasn’t just a criminal, he was a formidable man, this actor doesn’t look intimidating at all.
Probably Liev Schriber.
McAvoy is really the only candidate. I’d like to see him opposite Liam Neeson. Epic.
Agreed. McAvoy is perfect!! But I would love to see Ryan Gosling or maybe Casey Affleck.
A great choice! Maybe Jude Law? After Road to Perdition, I could definitely see him in another creeper/killer role.
Robert Downey, Jr. would have been awesome, but alas, he’s a little old as well. Definitely not Emile or Leonardo. McAvoy could work.
Sam Rockwell! Great actor and he has the Booth looks.
The pictures of Booth shows him with such fiery (crazy?) eyes, in my opinion. The actor needs to show that same flash. Put a ’stache on Sam Rockwell? Hmmmm.
How about James Mardsen?
I can’t stand him as an actor. I will almost flat out refuse to see any movie he stars in.
McAvoy no doubt
McAvoy for sure. He’d be perf. Loved him in Last King of Scotland – he does not get enough credit.
I could see Emile Hirsch though too. He’s got that kinda cute, kinda creepy, kinda dangerous, kinda handsome thing going on that McAvoy does too. Either I think would be pretty damn good.
McAvoy!
Go look at pictures of Booth and you can see that the only actor for the role is Ryan Gosling. Just give him a dye job and a mustache.
I like the idea of MacAvoy as well, but after “The Hurt Locker” I might be intrigued by Jeremy Renner.
I never would have thought of him, even though he is one of my favorite actors, but James McAvoy is literally PERFECT. I guess if they couldn’t get him (I somehow don’t think it’ll be a problem, seeing as it’s Redford and almost surely an oscar contention-worthy role), maybe………… James Franco, Ryan Gosling, or, just throwing this out there, Wes Bentley. He might not have good enough chops for a role that high profile, though.
Johnny Depp of course!! A lock for any great lookin’ bad guy, dudes!! Sign him up.