Image Credit: Solarpix/PR Photos; Everett Collection; Chris Ashford/Camera Press/Retna LtdA Steven Spielberg-produced script about Jackie Kennedy is making the studio rounds, and word is that HBO may buy it. The script — written by Noah Oppenheim, the head of development at Reveille — follows the late First Lady in the days immediately following husband John F. Kennedy’s assassination. It sounds fascinating — I would love even a fictionalized telling of what the calm, cool, collected-seeming Jackie was doing and feeling following the devastating loss of her partner-in-iconhood, especially given the never-ending speculation about his very public shooting and very private affairs. Spielberg and HBO seem like the perfect match for the project.
The next logical question: Who should play the First Lady of First Ladies? Joan Allen and Diane Lane both immediately popped into my head — they have the poise, the gravitas, the beauty, and the skill to pull it off. They’re both about a decade older than Jackie was at the time of JFK’s death — 34 — which wouldn’t bother me, since they look spectacular. But are there others who could/should pull it off? Would you rather see a Rachel McAdams (who might not exactly look the part, but has the requisite polish and could certainly dye her hair for the occasion)? Could Audrey Tatou or Marion Cotillard de-Frenchify themselves for it? Could Thandie Newton give it a shot?
Whom would you cast as Jackie O, PopWatchers?
itd be cool if they got Jeanne Tripplehorn to play Jackie O since she did it in Grey Gardens already for the same network
Second that, paige! She seemed to have the very persona of Jackie down to the details, loved her in that.
Eh, Justine Waddell would be excellent for the role, a truly underrated actress – check out her portrayal of Molly in Wives and Daughters and you will see she has what it takes to be Jackie
I can see her getting the part, especially if HBO ends up buying the script.
I know some people will say “been there, done that”, but Tripplehorn’s part as Jackie O in “Grey Gardens” was relatively tiny. I’d be interested to see what she could do with an expanded role. Also, no one really complains about Michael Sheen playing Tony Blair multiple times.
thats because Michael Sheen and Tony Blair are really the same person… tony blair spins really fast and POOF! its michael sheen… sorta like wonder woman- only english- and er, male.
Now that you mention it, I’ve yet to see those two in the same place at the same time.
So who made the crack about “bread back” on 30 Rock? Does this mean Liz Lemon is replacing Cherie Blair?
Agree, she was wonderful as Jackie in that, she’s a great actress in general.
blair wardorf
what about Jeanne Triplehorn from BIG LOVE, she played her in Grey Gardens?
Demi Moore?
Justine Waddell?
Definitely not Demi Moore. Too fake-tanned and not talented enough.
Joan Allen for sure. She is amazing in anything she does. Although I felt Jeanne Tripplehorn nailed it in Grey Gardens.
i’ll vote for joan allen too as long as she stops messing with her face. at the golden globes (emmys? whichever was more recent) she looked awful.
anne hathaway
Anne Hathaway was my first thought too. Similar look, good actress.
Same here! =) Looks like her and she can act really wel…
oh, i totally agree Anne Hathaway was my first thought too!
Oh she’d be great, but she’s a bit young. Jackie was 34 and Anne is only 27.
Good call.
God, another movie about a Kennedy. Give it a rest already.
Hasn’t there already been about 5 television movies about Jackie? I remember Jaclyn Smith played her in the 80s. And there was the Kennedy wives. Do not get me wrong, I liked her but her story has been told SO many times.
Carla Gugino.
And boom goes the dynamite.
would need to be younger for me- michelle williams?
Katie Holmes
Not the right caliber of actress to play an American Icon.
Agree, Justine Waddell is right for the part
I actually thought of her too.
Joan Allen could do things with the role that Diane Lane probably couldn’t, but Diane Lane could bring the sex appeal with enough smarts to make it work. It really just depends on what the script is like. Is it about her being an icon unto herself, or is it about her being America’s first FLILF?
If Marion Cotillard could “de-Frenchify” herself, I think she could really pull it off. I agree with the other suggestions as well. Joan Allen, Diane Lane, and Rachel McAdams could definitely all handle the part.
I agree- Marion could really do something with it!
I think Rachel McAdams would do a great job. I think when it comes to playing Jackie it’s more about having the gravitas of her personality and poise than looking like her. In What’s Love Got To Do With It, Angela Bassett didn’t so much look like Tina Turner but she truly embodied what it is to be Tina Turner.
Jessica Spano
I don’t think she could make it work. I saw her work in Snow White and the Seven Dorks, and I wasn’t impressed.
“this snow white is liberated”
I know Kelly wasn’t impressed:
“I hope you choke on it, beanpole!”
@ Ceballos, this episode was on a couple weeks ago and my friends and I watched it (did we have a choice?). There are a couple “digs” at characters because they’re skinny…we thought they sounded more like compliments haha. “beanpole”…I wish!
There’s simply no way to NOT watch that episode when it’s on – I hope TBS keeps airing episodes in the morning (which I catch as I get ready for work) for the foreseeable future.
kristin davis all the way
Rachel Weisz, maybe? Or Natalie Portman, Kate Beckinsale, & Winona Ryder (could be her comeback vehicle).
Rachel Weisz is good. so is Cotilliard. However, I think the best would be Michelle Monaghan. She looks the most like her and she’s definitely young enough.
Natalie Portman? PLEASE. Now Justine Waddell would be most excellent for Jackie
Go away.
Rachel Weisz, Natalie Portman, Kate Beckinsale,& Winona Ryder are
top contenders for this honor