Will Ferrell is Ronald Reagan

[samsnee]

This sounds like it could have a 'Wag the Dog' feel to it. I know Republicans think Reagan is the second coming, so will be interesting to see how they react to this.

http://www.vulture.com/2016/04/will-ferrell-to-play-ronald-reagan-in-new-movie.html

Will Ferrell is no stranger to playing a president after years of imitating George W. Bush on SNL. But this time he'll play the president who that other president's father was vice president to: Ronald Reagan. Huh! The Black List script from Mike Rosolio tells the story of Ronald Reagan sliding into dementia during his second term and an intern who is tasked with convincing the president that he's an actor playing the president in a movie. Ferrell and Gary Sanchez Productions will produce, but the team is still looking for a director.

 

[Duke]

Considering Ferrell is mostly known for his comedic roles, I don't like this casting.

 

[Mysteryman]

I agree.
Plus, it is a terrible idea for a film.

 

[Symbiotic]

Libs will love it, cons will hate it.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

You already know Republicans will think they are disrespecting the Great Reagan.

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

Did not like the script, do not like this casting.

Yes, it's full of lazy Republican bashing. Cheney, Rove, even Dubya himself shows up towards the end. You don't have to be a red-stater (I'm an Independent) to roll your eyes at this.

 

[Hush]

Just seems a disrespectful idea in general. I'm all for offensive comedy but this just seems in poor taste.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Seems like a particularly vicious and nasty idea for a film.

 

[Mysteryman]

Hopefully, this idea will never make it to film.

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

I make no qualms about my admiration for the man (him, FDR and JFK). But I thought this could be cheeky enough while still being respectful.

Nope.

But... this doesn't mean a thing until a director is attached. Or as a friend put it best, "I don't really even think this is worthy talking about until it's wrapping production."

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I make no qualms about my admiration for the man (him, FDR and JFK). But I thought this could be cheeky enough while still being respectful.

Nope.

But... this doesn't mean a thing until a director is attached. Or as a friend put it best, "I don't really even think this is worthy talking about until it's wrapping production."

I was going to ask you whether the script was as respectful as something like it could be but you answered my question without my even having to ask.

 

[terry78]

I don't think Democrats really hated Reagan all that much. He was more genial I think.

 

[ThePhantasm]

The plot just sounds kind of mean-spirited. I don't see the appeal.

 

[CaptainWagner]

Yeah, not too fond of this. I'm admiring of Reagan despite is flaws, but I'm fine with poking fun at him. This just seems mean-spirited. If Ferrel is going to play a historical figure, hook him up with a Disney War adaptation to play Michael Eisner.

 

[Quasimod0]

Making fun of someone's dementia sounds like a terrible idea for a film, especially when that person is a president of the United States

 

[samsnee]

I agree. I can understand mocking W since he was a comic gold mine. But the concept of this sounds mean spirited.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Yeah, not too fond of this. I'm admiring of Reagan despite is flaws, but I'm fine with poking fun at him. This just seems mean-spirited. If Ferrel is going to play a historical figure, hook him up with a Disney War adaptation to play Michael Eisner.

This already sounds better.

 

[Fallen Angel]

His daughter has written an open letter to him for him not to mock her father.

http://booksbypattidavis.com/an-open-letter-to-will-ferrell/#more-1732

Dear Mr. Ferrell,


I saw the news bulletin — as did everyone — that you intend to portray my father in the throes of Alzheimer’s for a comedy that you are also producing. Perhaps you have managed to retain some ignorance about Alzheimer’s and other versions of dementia. Perhaps if you knew more, you would not find the subject humorous.
Alzheimer’s doesn’t care if you are President of the United States or a dockworker. It steals what is most precious to a human being — memories, connections, the familiar landmarks of a lifetime that we all come to rely on to hold our place secure in this world and keep us linked to those we have come to know and love. I watched as fear invaded my father’s eyes — this man who was never afraid of anything. I heard his voice tremble as he stood in the living room and said, “I don’t know where I am.” I watched helplessly as he reached for memories, for words, that were suddenly out of reach and moving farther away. For ten long years he drifted — past the memories that marked his life, past all that was familiar…and mercifully, finally past the fear.
There was laughter in those years, but there was never humor.
Alzheimer’s is the ultimate pirate, pillaging a person’s life and leaving an empty landscape behind. It sweeps up entire families, forcing everyone to claw their way through overwhelming grief, confusion, helplessness, and anger. Perhaps for your comedy you would like to visit some dementia facilities. I have — I didn’t find anything comedic there, and my hope would be that if you’re a decent human being, you wouldn’t either.
Twice a week I run a support group called Beyond Alzheimer’s for caregivers and family members of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. I look into haunted eyes that remind me of my own when my father was ill. I listen to stories of helplessness and loss and am continually moved by the bravery of those who wake up every morning not knowing who their loved one will be that day, or what will be lost. The only certainty with Alzheimer’s is that more will be lost and the disease will always win in the end.
Perhaps you would like to explain to them how this disease is suitable material for a comedy.

 

[Mysteryman]

His daughter has written an open letter to him for him not to mock her father.

http://booksbypattidavis.com/an-open-letter-to-will-ferrell/#more-1732

Good for her.
I hope Ferrel backs out.

 

[marvelrobbins]

I have no love for reagan as a liberal but this is terrable idea.nothing funny
about althemizer's.

If you want to be critical of reagan do film about him as president not when
he was with althemizer's.

 

[terry78]

The conservative side are already lambasting it saying, of course liberals poke fun at anything and everything.

 

[CaptainWagner]

This already sounds better.

Yep. The book is great (I'd definitely suggest it to anyone interested by Hollywood and the corporations behind the scenes) and Eisner is a perfect match for Ferrel's talents.


That's a great open letter from Reagon's daughter, hopefully everyone involved realizes what an awful idea this is and we can all just pretend it never happened. And then Ferrell can star in Disney War.

 

[samsnee]

Looks like Will Ferrell dropped out. So this project is dead.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Well ****, the script really must not be worth it then.

 

[X Knight]

Glad Ferrell dropped out.

terrible idea for a film, whether you like Reagan or not.