Casting Couch: Hank Williams
Not so long ago Johnny Cash got to Walk The Line. Now its Hank Williams' turn for a newfangled countrified biopic via the Nashville-based 821 Entertainment Group and Strike Entertainment. Strike's partner Marc Abraham will pen the script. Williams's estate is cooperating -- which means they'll get use of recordings -- and 821's optioned the rights to Colin Escott's Hank Williams: The Biography. Escott will work as associate producer. So, yes, they're clearly making this one official, which means it might be the contemporary go-to cinematic take on Williams short life from poor Alabama childhood to country star to death at 29 from alcohol/morphine/etc. abuse. As Abraham puts it:
He was the first real star who went down as the result of his lifestyle, succeeded by Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain ... He destroyed himself, but for six years leading to his death, Hank had six songs each year in the top 10.
He thinks they'll use original recordings in the film, so whomever gets the role doesn't necessarily need to know how to sing. Ideas? We have one:
Maybe Channing Tatum's available, ladies?
Last time Williams was on the big screen, it was George Hamilton playing the lead in 1964's Your Cheatin' Heart. You tell us who should do it in 2009. To help you figure it out, you can read more about the project at Variety.
Posted at 10:58 AM by brandon in Casting Couch
Tags: Hanks Williams
Well I think biopics are almost always complete shit but...it would have to have that Raging Bull,Last Picture Show,Joe Meek aesthetic...and obviously the exact right people would have to be cast...
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I vote John Hillcoat to direct...unless Peter Bogdanovich can have a conversation with his 1971 self to figure out how to make it. If Hank III can get a haircut and put his leather pot pants away then he should play his grandfather. Otherwise I vote for an unknown skinny actor to do it.
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I vote Hank III as well.
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How about Beck in his big screen debut? haha
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Tom Hanks Williams
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Tim Blake Nelson hands down.
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i know he is a musician now, i guess??? haha but ryan gosling perhaps
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Giovanni Ribisi!!!
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God damn it, you have to put a warning before leading up to such disturbing pictures.
As for the titular role I can see Joseph Gordon Levitt or James Franco doing a good job.
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"Maybe Channing Tatum's available, ladies?"
Um, have you people ever seen a picture of Hank Williams? He was a tall, skinny, pale white guy with spina bifida...
I vote Christian Bale, circa The Machinist.
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Um, have you ever heard a joke?
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If Hank III won't do it my $s on Jake Penrod or Joey Alcorn.
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