Back in May, we heard about the Frank Sinatra biopic that Martin Scorsese will be directing with Universal producing. Now mega-stars Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney are rumored (courtesy of UK newspaper The Guardian) to be in contention for the role of Old Blue Eyes. It’s probably important to note here that Clooney’s rep, Stan Rosenfeld, told EW, “I wouldn’t believe anything I read in British papers” — which isn’t exactly a denial — while a Universal rep said the studio had no comment. (Reps for DiCaprio and Depp were not immediately available for comment.)
Fact or fiction, I do kind of love the idea of these actors having a glitzy Hollywood tussle over what will surely be an Oscar-buzz role (and movie). My vote? Johnny Depp. If his take as Captain Jack Sparrow and bank robber John Dillinger proved anything to us, it’s that this man is a chameleon who’d slip into the role of the legendary singer seamlessly.
I know Leo and Scorsese have a rapport, after working on The Aviator, The Departed, and now Shutter Island, but I just don’t see him as Sinatra. His character transformations always seemed a little phony to me and I worry his performance would pull me out of the movie.
As for Clooney, I see him as Hollywood’s perennial nice/funny guy, which to me means quirky comedies like Burn After Reading and the upcoming Men Who Stare at Goats. That said, he’s shown a knack for drama (Syriana, Michael Clayton) and would no doubt look good wearing one of the Chairman’s dark suits with gleaming gold cufflinks.
But if we can go beyond the Depp-DiCaprio-Clooney trifecta, I think the best person for the job would’ve been the late Phil Hartman. His version of Sinatra was one for the books (clip and poll, after the jump).
Who do you guys think would make the best Blue Eyes? Sound off on our poll and below!
Photo: Solarpix/PR Photos
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ummm… shouldn’t someone who’s known as “Old BLUE Eyes” be played by someone with… ohhh… I don’t know.. BLUE eyes? And colored contacts just wouldn’t work, because those things make people look stoned (pupils don’t move). I don’t like DiCaprio, but of the three he’s the only one that would work. Why not take a chance on someone NEW? Surely there are some really good unknown actors out there that would do a great job.
My thoughts exactly. Why keep recycling the same actors.
New, I like new. I do not like any of these actors for Frank. Don’t get me wrong, they’re great actors, but they are not right. Find someone that fits!
I agree that they should use an unknown. That’s the first thing that I thought when I saw the poll. It shouldn’t be any of those guys. They need to find someone who can sing, has blue eyes, and who is skinny (if they decide to go with his younger days).
Not crazy about any of the 3 choices.
Johnny Depp is an awesome choice. Although I haven’t seen Pirates but, Ed Wood, Sweeney Todd, Fidning Neverland, Edward Scissorhands, and his voice in Corpse Bride are all amazing!!! He has also shown us how cool (like Sinatra kind of cool) he can act in movies like Pirates (At least I have heard that) and Public Enemies. Perfect choice!
The key to Sinatra was his height. At 5′7″, he always had tried, to make himself the biggest thing in the room. You need an actor who is 5′7″ or shorter, or you never understand who Sinatra was and why. So, none of them.
So, Dustin Hoffman could play him in his later years, haha.
Not necessarily. They can do alot with camera angles, etc.
Can I vote Piscopo?
DENIED.
Hartman > Piscopo
Of the choices, the only one I’d like to see is George Clooney and even he wouldn’t be the best IMO. Go for someone different, not so well known, to play Old Blue Eyes.
If this movie is supposed to span his entire life, they need someone else to play him younger. Of those 3 you mention, only Leo could come close to pulling off Sinatra in his 20s. The movie needs to aim for somebody who can pull off the physical resemblance like Philip Casnoff did in the TV miniseries. Sinatra was SKINNY!
Um, no. Leo should absolutely play Frank. Nothing phony about his performance in The Aviator, and as much as I love J. Depp as an actor, Johnny has a penchant for the strange and Frank doesn’t seem particularly strange.
None of them.
I think they could utilize different actors for different periods of his life, a la “I’m Not There”. It seemed to work. But, Sinatra should at least be portrayed by an actor who somewhat resembles him, and I think that excludes Depp and Clooney and might be pushing it with DiCaprio too.
How about Harry Connick, Jr???
THANK YOU. Someone who sings would be appropriate.
My choice exactly. Get someone who can sing like Frank.
I totally agree with your suggestion
What about Ryan Gosling? I think he could potantially work for this role.
Yes! I feel like he is such and underrated actor- because people just know him from “Notebook”.
Matt Damon kinda looks like him. Is his acting up to it? Whaddaya think?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
or
Philip Seymour Hoffman, if he lost the right amount of weight
None of them. How about Jude Law, blue eyed, wiry frame or James Marsden.
I like both sugestions, especially Marsden. He certainly knows how to sing, and I really think all he needs to give a great performance is the right director and character.
Jude Law is a great actor (people seem forget after all the nannies and Sienna Miller), and he fits the bill too, I just don’t think he would as convincing.
oooh i like james marsden as old blue eyes. that sounds right.