Exclusive: EW's first look at Oliver Stone's 'W' biopic

Phil Fish Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 12:44 AM EST

What do you have any idea what you're talking about? You are telling me that you thought Bush Sr. and G.W. were good presidents? You have to be out of your mind. They are greedy oil men who care only for their bank accounts they made deals with Saudi Arabia left and right to increase profits and drain U.S. citizens bank accounts not to mention start pointless wars that we should have never entered. How dare you try and compare WWII to the Iraq war you're an idiot who should never be allowed to speak again.

Tim Trout Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 12:31 AM EST

No it's not just you. I watched the OH in Ohio recently and for about a month I thought that it was Elizabeth Banks who's recent popularity created a buzz for her which caught my attention, so I was watching movies with her and Paul Rudd in them. I was trying to think of her name though so I went to my netflix.com account and looked up OH in Ohio because it was a movie that she (being Elizabeth Banks was in) that I had watched recently. Boy was I wrong, the two look so much alike I thought that they were twins separated at birth.

Dawn Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 08:12 AM EST

If this is another media "We hate Bush" I'm not wasting my time. As it is I can’t believe someone would make and release a film about a sitting president during war time. America really has been dumb down to the point where they don’t think for themselves, if CNN or any other media says something its gospel.
If this was the mentality during WWI & II we would be speaking German.
News flash it's not the current policies that drive the economy, it's the previous 5 to 8 years. That why Clinton had such an easy ride and why the economy was starting to show a decline when he left, CLINTON rode the county into the ground! He closed bases, weakened our military, and would anyone like to count the number of terrorist attacks America sustained under Clinton? Any counter measure he used to deter the terrorist from attacking us? WHY did 9/11 happen? Because Clinton portrayed America as weak non-retaliatory, pacifist! God Bless America & God Bless Bush!

Michael Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 05:35 PM EST

I am looking forward to seeing "W" and I hope reviewers pronounce it "Dubya", not "Dubyou"!!! Banks looks great with dark hair as in "Seabiscuit" but as a blonde she seems to want to channel Farrah Fawcett as in the 1978 poster. I hope the movie is very popular so that we can say "Ollie, you did a HECK of a job" (a take on Bush thanking Michael Brown, the ex horseman who ran FEMA after Katrina hit)!

Katy Wed, May 14, 2008 at 11:47 AM EST

I'm going to see it; it looks so amusing.

Ben Sat, May 10, 2008 at 07:46 AM EST

If the reviews are good, I'll see it.

MTF Sat, May 10, 2008 at 05:49 AM EST

Stone likes to let his imagination run away with him. He needs to stick with films such as WORLD TRADE CENTER. Otherwise, he needs to get into rehab.

Sat, May 10, 2008 at 12:13 AM EST

Oliver stone is like the stupid kid who writes silly plays for his family to watch during Christmas. Stone is a retard and so are all of you other Bush-bashers. You have no new ideas, only complaints. Grow up, enjoy life, and stop ruining the Democratic party.

Sir Quinton Fri, May 9, 2008 at 08:01 AM EST

Bush is a failure. Hopefully this movie will be one, too.

Tom Fri, May 9, 2008 at 07:59 AM EST

Maybe Oliver should title it "Dumb and Dumbest III: The Bush/Cheney Years". Why would I pay good money to sit through two hours of reliving the history of the worst President in America's history? Sorry, if I wanted to see a movie about a mentally challenged guy, I'd go watch Forrest Gump again. At least Forrest was likeable.

JJ Thu, May 8, 2008 at 07:51 PM EST

Bonnylass - if you know the difference, then why are you connecting the two? A fictionalized story with real-life characters as certain inspirations isn't going to invite the same level of scrutiny that a biopic (which will be perceived as accurate, at least through Stone's lens). therefore, I would think the release timing of the former is much less critical than release time of the latter.

Theresa Thu, May 8, 2008 at 07:24 PM EST

Is it just me, or does that picture look like a cariacature? Josh Brolin is an odd choice to start with, but the way he's made up and contorting his face, he might as well be doing a makeup test for a Saturday Night Live skit. And while Elizabeth Banks has done some funny stuff, she looks like she's doing this as a joke. This whole thing looks like a joke, which is what Oliver Stone became quite a while ago.

Paul U. Thu, May 8, 2008 at 06:53 PM EST

didn't Oliver Stone already get his fill of rehashing the worst days in American history? WILL NOT SEE IT IF YOU PAID ME ALL THE $$$ HE HAS WASTED ON HIS POINTLESS WAR!!! the only way I WOULD see it is if it could magically turn back time and take away the nightmare of the last 8 years and all of the lives he has wasted or ruined. oh and Josh Brolin, shame on you! you are so handsome, why would you want to impersonate this buffoon???

DLC Thu, May 8, 2008 at 06:34 PM EST

You know who would have made a better W? Christian Bale. Don't scoff until you've examined that simian brow, that pointy nose, that doofus grin. It's weirdly true.

beachmom Thu, May 8, 2008 at 05:50 PM EST

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.

bonnylass Thu, May 8, 2008 at 05:37 PM EST

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?

JJ Thu, May 8, 2008 at 04:58 PM EST

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.

Bridget Thu, May 8, 2008 at 04:26 PM EST

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?

Bridget Thu, May 8, 2008 at 04:24 PM EST

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.

Eli Thu, May 8, 2008 at 04:13 PM EST

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...

Mozz Thu, May 8, 2008 at 04:09 PM EST

I gotta laugh, because Lady Bush in the movie, way too good looking and young... dewd... I smell Alexander all over again.

Broadway Baby Thu, May 8, 2008 at 04:01 PM EST

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.

bonnylass Thu, May 8, 2008 at 03:57 PM EST

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.

Evita Thu, May 8, 2008 at 03:28 PM EST

Whoops, sorry Vince, didn't see your comment... but yes, I agree 100%.

Evita Thu, May 8, 2008 at 03:25 PM EST

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!

Kerri Thu, May 8, 2008 at 02:57 PM EST

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.

mscisluv Thu, May 8, 2008 at 02:47 PM EST

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.

paige Thu, May 8, 2008 at 02:36 PM EST

snore! when was the last time Oliver Stone did a good movie?

Green Gummi Bear Thu, May 8, 2008 at 02:19 PM EST

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...

cimagato Thu, May 8, 2008 at 02:14 PM EST

Maybe it's my monitor, but Brolin looks more like Tom Brokaw than W in that picture.

Molly Thu, May 8, 2008 at 02:02 PM EST

...I meant, Kenneth Welsh to play Cheney, of course.

Molly Thu, May 8, 2008 at 02:00 PM EST

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.

Vince Thu, May 8, 2008 at 01:50 PM EST

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?

slownewsday Thu, May 8, 2008 at 01:49 PM EST

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.

Elizabeth Thu, May 8, 2008 at 01:36 PM EST

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.

B Ro Thu, May 8, 2008 at 01:25 PM EST

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).

kelsey Thu, May 8, 2008 at 01:06 PM EST

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.

Susan Thu, May 8, 2008 at 12:58 PM EST

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.

Chaddogg Thu, May 8, 2008 at 12:54 PM EST

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.)

Al Fredo Thu, May 8, 2008 at 12:51 PM EST

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).

Eric Friedmann Thu, May 8, 2008 at 12:23 PM EST

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!

Sally in Chicago Thu, May 8, 2008 at 12:07 PM EST

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.

2cents Thu, May 8, 2008 at 11:53 AM EST

THAT'S Josh Brolin? Holy $%$!

Adam Thu, May 8, 2008 at 11:48 AM EST

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.