Oliver Stone To Direct George W. Bush Biopic

[Joker]

I am amazed at some of the responses.

There is an interesting story here. As Stone said: its the story of an alcoholic bum becoming a born again Christian and emerging the most powerful man in the world.

I am sure it will also play Bush having to stop from his father shadows and overall could make for a pretty interesting film. I am queasy though about Stone directing it. I would prefer a Bush Bio-Pic to be done by a more...objective director, though I have heard that he was fairly respectful with Nixon which gives me hope.

First off, Bush was never an alcoholic bum. He was pretty much your standard college student, and for some reason he's been held to a higher standard on that behavior because of his current job. If a guy drank and did drugs in college, and then became you know, a manager of a store or something, no one would be saying that behavior was out of line for him. And "bum" is really, really, really overexaggerating, as I'm sure Bush always had enough money that he could light his cuban cigars with it.

And when did he ever step out of his fathers shadow? The only reason it happened is because more people hate W than do his father.

 

[Shifty]

But seriously, this movie is going to be horrible.

1) Who really wants to see a movie about a spoiled rich kid who uses daddy's power and fortune to buy his way through Yale and become president? Where is the adversity? Where is the challenge? Where is the triumph?

2) I agree with Joker. How can this movie serve any purpose? Bush isn't even out of office. And he won't be out of office long enough to have any real reflection upon his presidency and the long term effects for at least 20 years. That means anything in this movie will be partisan nonsense that is made to serve the political agenda of Stone.

3) Who cares? Bush's presidency had two major events. The Iraq War and 9/11. The Iraq War is again, too soon to start making movies about as there has been no real reflection period to look on it historically. And 9/11 was pretty much a glorified photo-op for Bush that he really did nothing for. Even the invasion of Afgahnistan was put together by much smarter men and pretty much any president would've done the same thing. I mean, what about Bush really warrants a movie? His life and presidency just isn't that cinematic.

He as a person may not warrant one like Spielberg's Lincoln but there is plenty to fill in a 2.5-3 hour film.

Katrina, his battle with alcoholism, his first campaign for Governor of Texas, the 2000 election, the 2004 election, War on Terrorism, all the resignations,

Hopefully Stephen Colbert can play himself!
Bush Realtime Reaction [YT]X-oMlBSiX3g[/YT]
(study Brolin!)

What an unnecessary idea.

Stone's film was delayed because of the Writer's Strike so he's going with this script that was finished before it.

 

[Chris B]

My reaction is similar to the one I had pertaining to the 9/11 films made recently: its too early. Now I would agree that it could go either way, but it just seems strange to have a Bush biopic just a year or two after he leaves office.

On a related note, I wouldn't mind seeing a few biopics on some of the other Presidents we have had. One about FDR would be number one for me.

 

[terry78]

I just know as soon as this trailer plays and the title "Bush" comes on the screen, people are going to either laugh their asses off or boo it immensely.

 

[Boom]

Well this sounds completely uninteresting.

 

[Superhobo]

I just know as soon as this trailer plays and the title "Bush" comes on the screen, people are going to either laugh their asses off or boo it immensely.

Bush's gonna be in the audience:
"Hay, how kin' I be up thar' on that thar' projectitatin' screen ?"

 

[WarBlade]

Hmm... Josh Brolin playing a zombie...

The movie could be called "President Evil."

 

[Nightmare]

Hope they cover his ownership with the texas rangers, his dealings with 9/11, his non dealings with Katrina.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

Hmm. I am surprised to see reactions like this is going to be a fluff piece. What if this turns out to be a movie that just totally shows Bush to be a *****e?

 

[Nivek]

Maybe once Stone comes down off his high he will see what a ******ed idea this is. Maybe 5-10 years from now when all this rampant white-wash sports team-ish cheerleading for Bush is the past and we see the damage this presidency has caused, maybe then someone can make a movie about this clown. right now, hell no.

 

[Timstuff]

Or, it could be the other way around. Keep in mind that Bush currently has an approval rating below 40%. He's hardly a political rock star right now. What we need is some context to put his presidency into. If it turns out in 10 years that it was impossible to set up a democratic government in Iraq (which has been inarguably the largest point of tension in his administration), it would probably be a negative portrayal. If it turns out that it worked, it would probably be more positive. The point is, making a biopic about a president who's just left office can't really do much of anything, because the director has to "play it safe" or risk having a film that is totally out dated 20 years from now. Regardless of whether the film is a sympathetic movie or an expose, there's a high probability that it will wind up being irrelevant as the effects of his presidency become more clear.

 

[scifiwolf]

On a related note, I wouldn't mind seeing a few biopics on some of the other Presidents we have had. One about FDR would be number one for me.

You know, I saw Pearl Harbor on TV recently, and I was thinking the same thing. Jon Voight did such a good job in that role.

 

[StorminNorman]

First off, Bush was never an alcoholic bum. He was pretty much your standard college student, and for some reason he's been held to a higher standard on that behavior because of his current job. If a guy drank and did drugs in college, and then became you know, a manager of a store or something, no one would be saying that behavior was out of line for him. And "bum" is really, really, really overexaggerating, as I'm sure Bush always had enough money that he could light his cuban cigars with it.

And when did he ever step out of his fathers shadow? The only reason it happened is because more people hate W than do his father.

I was borrowing from Stone's quote when I said "bum". Bush was a very flawed man in his early life (extending outside college), and his story is as worth telling as any other President's.

It will be very interesting to see what Stone does with this - especially considering his political views.

 

[StorminNorman]

Maybe once Stone comes down off his high he will see what a ******ed idea this is. Maybe 5-10 years from now when all this rampant white-wash sports team-ish cheerleading for Bush is the past and we see the damage this presidency has caused, maybe then someone can make a movie about this clown. right now, hell no.

You are kidding right?

Honestly.

 

[Agentsands77]

What if this turns out to be a movie that just totally shows Bush to be a *****e?

That movie would be easy to make. It would far be more interesting to make a film that actually gives Bush a lot of complexity and fairness in the portrayal, despite the mess his Presidency has left in its wake.

But as someone said, the real reason this can't be made yet is that it's too soon. This biopic needs to be put into the works at least ten years from now to get some distance and establish some context.

 

[daywalker2007]

Considering Oliver Stone has had a hardon for his vietname escapades in his entire movie career, i wonder how he will fit that into this movie ?

Is oliver stone pro war on iraq and terror ? or is he against it?

if he is against it, then obviously this movie will be a movie about a sadistic oil hungry ****** who invaded Iraq on an illegal basis, invaded Afghanistan on an illegal basis, and is now pumping oil for the USA, all conveniently done under the banner of "war on terror".

Bush is the real terrorist. If Stone plans to make an Anti - Bush movie, then that is fine.

Anything else, then Stone can go and keep jerking off to his vietnam memories, purple heart and all.

 

[Immortalfire]

Pointless idea for a film.

 

[Dark Donnie]

So Jeff Wells reports that today somebody caught some make-up testing of Josh Brolin as George W. Bush for Oliver Stone’s film BUSH, and the results were spectacular. I’m excited to hear this. Not because I’m a big fan of Oliver Stone movies, but because I’m now a Josh Brolin groupie. Of all the people I met this past year, Brolin is one of my favorites. He had a banner year in 2007 with starring roles in not only the best film of the year (NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN,) but he worked in AMERICAN GANSTER, in PLANET TERROR and IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH. He is a talented actor and very good looking, and if that wasn’t enough, he also proved himself to be a damn good director. His short film - entitled “X” premiered at SBIFF - and it marks the beginning of a strong directorial career. What struck me the most about his screening (and it shouldn’t have come as a surprise since he’s such a mensch) is the big group of his friends that showed up to support his film screening. On top of that - his wife, the lovely Diane Lane, was there. What’s the big deal about that?! Well, you see, Diane’s film - UNTRACEABLE - had just opened the week before - and she must have been busy promoting it - but she made time to show her support. It says a lot about her - but also about Mr. Brolin - to engender that type of support and loyalty. Good things happen to good guys - and I’m glad to see that everything’s coming up roses for him. I cannot wait to see him portray Bush.

http://www.sbiff.org/blog2/?p=1710

 

[Dark Donnie]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ifa172cb36428eaac8de124751ca763bf

Elizabeth Banks joins 'W' as Laura Bush
By Borys Kit

March 25, 2008

Elizabeth Banks (Getty Images photo)
Elizabeth Banks is going from the world of adult films to the White House.

The actress, who recently wrapped shooting Kevin Smith's "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," is in final negotiations to portray Laura Bush in "W," Oliver Stone's biopic on the life and presidency of George W. Bush.

Josh Brolin already is on board to play Bush in the biopic, which begins shooting in late April in Shreveport, La.

Stone wrote the screenplay with his "Wall Street" co-writer Stanley Weiser.

Moritz Borman, who worked with Stone on "World Trade Center" and "Alexander," is producing, as is Jon Kilik.


Beverly Hills-based QED International is financing and handling sales.

Banks, repped by UTA and Untitled, next appears opposite Eddie Murphy in the comedy "Meet Dave" and then opposite Aaron Eckhart in "Meet Bill."

Also The title appears to be "W"

 

[Captain Planet!]

COMING THIS WINTER...

"DUBYA"

This movie is going to be hilarious.

 

[Dark Donnie]

I think Josh Brolin is a great actor, so i'll check it out.

 

[Gotham]

This is one odd film. I'll say that much.

 

[DocHoliday]

I hope this reveals the administration for the slime that they are. I am also hoping that it does humanize Bush. He's made tons of mistakes but he is still a human being and I am sure he isn't the second coming of Hitler. But it should definitely not glaze over his monumental missteps as president.

 

[GhostPoet]

Is it going to be a comedy?

 

[DocHoliday]

Is it going to be a comedy?

hmmm...I doubt it.