It’s a difficult time in American history. Political instability, economic uncertainty, war, populist outrage… The time is right for a movie that dares to explore the trials and tribulations of Abraham Lincoln, one of our country’s greatest and most tormented Presidents. Unfortunately, that movie is probably not happening anymore. But don’t worry, America, we’re getting the Lincoln biopic we really deserve. According to Variety, the Tim Burton-produced adaptation of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is going to begin pre-production, with Wanted/Night Watch director Timur Bekmambetov helming the movie. Since the material is so over-the-top, and since Burton and Bekmambetov are two flavors of stylized insanity, just how crazy is this movie going to be?
Another important question: who’s going to play Lincoln? The story follows Honest Abe from his youth through his presidency, so the part would require someone who could play tormented-youth and old-soul politician. It would require Oscar-worthy gravitas, Bruckheimer-worthy action juice, and some sort of wonky 19th century accent. People, isn’t this the role that Johnny Depp was born to play?
It’s worth noting that, despite the goofiness of the title, there’s a good chance that AL:VH could actually be a mite controversial. The Civil War ended almost 150 years ago, but the symbolic wounds left by the conflict are still very present in American life. (Just look at the controversy over UPN’s lame Lincoln White House sitcom, The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer.) It’s a good bet that Bekmambetov will try to sidestep any controversy by really going for broke on the horror/action stuff.
Who do you think should play Abraham Lincoln, PopWatchers? And am I the only person who thinks this movie might actually push people’s buttons? Isn’t pretty much every Confederate leader shown to be a vampire? Is this another nail in the coffin of America’s education system?
Read More:
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Book Review
Josh Brolin FTW
Brolins a great choice too! I didn’t even think of that!
That is a good choice- he’s a fantastic actor! Now that I’m seeing all these suggestions I’m rethinking my position on Depp.
Two words “Adrian Brody”
Seconded!
Why? Because he can do action now? and he’s tall…. Movies these days usually do best when you dont put huge stars in them. Although CArrey was good as the grinch. Wait that was like 25 years ago
Adrian Brody is not a good choice. He can’t play an action part to save is life. And don’t tell me he was good in Predators cause there was nothing redeeming about that movie.
Please not J. Depp. I’m so tired of his face. Josh Brolin might be a good choice. This book is one of my top 5, mostly because never in my life would I have read anything about Abe Lincoln if it didn’t involve him killing vampires. It was a brilliant book. I just hope they don’t cartoonize the movie, seing as it’s a Tim Burton project. Abe spends most of the book in a pretty dark place, yet still manages to be one of the greatest leaders of all times. They need to pick the right person for this or it won’t work.
Depp lost his toch after the first pirates! Who cared about window, Charlie was atrocious!!!Fu** you if you think it wasn’t! He was mad at all (barely) in the lame Alice. What other crap has he played in since the first Pirates? And Brolin…what movie has he made his own, what movie has he actually brought people out to see? Remember this movie needs to make more than 10-30 million. Period pieces cost money, action movies cost money, tim freaking burton movies cost money! Pick someone else mindless drones of the EW boards.
Ryan, Ryan, Ryan. He was fantastic in Alice and Sweeney Todd came out post-first Pirates. Johnny Depp is an amazing actor and, although I don’t think he’s Lincoln, he deserves much more credit than a piece of work like you are giving him.
you EW readers usually have so much to say, but today you have finally shown your true colors! Morons…but that is why I come here to get upset at your dumb comments.
You are calling people morons when you can’t even spell touch?
Depp is the only choice!!!! May I ask the reason you have a picture of Robert Pattinson? Is it to p!ss people off?
Of course it’s only there to p!ss people off. I know everyone seems to think EW is Twi-sessed, but nary does a week go by – even months between Twilight movie releases – that there isn’t some Twilight jab. They’re fueling the fire. Lame.
Depp in a Burton-related period piece . . . AGAIN? Ugh. And isn’t Lincoln supposed to be a bit tall?
Is it so wrong that a great director and actor work together a lot to make good movies? Do you groan when you see Quintin Tarantino working with Samuel L Jackson again? If so I pity you sir.
Because Rob Pat is a vampire. Abe Lincoln: Vampire hunter? Duh, Abe is going to kill Edward. Huzzah!
We can only hope.
Burton needs to expand his choices and Depp is too short anyway.
Depp and Burton have overworn their welcome as collaborators. Go your own ways, men.
Second that. Enough already.
There’s a picture of Pattinson because it’s a movie about a Vampire Hunter and Pattinson’s Edward is a vampire. It’s funny. Picture Lincoln hunting Edward. That’s it.
If you can’t make a film called “Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” without fear of causing offence then it’s time to go home and call it quits.
USA! USA!
Sorry that comment just really inspired my patriotic side. Where else can a big-time movie maker produce a movie about a former president and nationwide icon who also hunts vampires? Damn I love this country.
w00t!
“Where else can a big-time movie maker produce a movie about a former president and nationwide icon who also hunts vampires?”
Well, I guess tons of countries in the democratic part of the world. Countries you probably never even heard of.
Vince vaghne should be honest abe he’s got the height and face for a pretty good abe look alike. If edward from twilight is abe I will be mortified at burton. Depp should play poe, I don’t think he’d make a good abe.
second
Are you nuts? Where in VVs fat face do you see a resemblance to Lincoln? Sam Waterson looks like Lincoln, Matt Bomer could look like Lincoln albeit a handsome Lincoln. Vince Vaughn looks like he belongs on South Park.
Nick Cage could make a good Lincoln, too bad hes not a strong actor and can’t be taken seriously anymore.
This would be awesome if they went the Rodriguez/Tarantino Grindhouse route. The title is already halfway there.
That would be awesome! Its too bad abe wasn’t black bc samuel l jackson would be an awesome abe lincoln! (If taking the tarentino route)
Get these mother f#%&$@ vampires out of my mother f&#@!# White House!
Ha! Best presidential line ever.
Get me my tophat. It’s the one that says bad motherfu$%er on it…
and too bad only 1 percent of the country seems to like that kind of movie, and if that is not true then why did all of these movies fail epically, well machete only cost 20 mill so it will do alright.
NOT JOHNNY DEPP. He can’t play every role guys, get over it.
I loved the book. It will be a lot of fun to see this come to life. Yes, Johnny Depp would be great, but this also might be a good opportunity for someone new.
Too bad Ralph Fiennes is too old, always thought there was a likeness (cheekbones or something).
Who says he’s too old? He would totally work.
Well, they’d have to get another actor to play Abe in his youth, definitely.
Liam Neeson. wasn’t he supposed to play Lincoln in a Spielberg film?
Heck yes!!!
YES! He’s big enough too!
Benicio del Toro
Have you ever seen Abraham Lincoln???
Actually, that could be a bit of potentially brilliant ethno-sploitation homage right there.
Nic Cage.
Jeff Goldblum
“like”
Robet Downey Jr. He can pull off the actiony bearded fellow.
oooo good one! there would have to be at least five shirtless scenes.
Noel Fielding. or Gary Oldman.
Oo, or Alan Rickman.
GARY OLDMAN FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hell yeah!
Gary Oldman!!! Although, would he have to hunt himself? He would be perfect. That man can play anyone. Although RDJ would be good too, but I’d rather see Oldman.
Hell Ya–Alan Rickman or Adrian Brody! Those are the only choices!
Viggo Mortenson
noel fielding is a bit too – odd looking. although i think he’s sexy.
Jane Lynch.
Like
Omfg, yes.
She could…actually kind of look like him with dark hair.
hahahah! Awesome!