The Smiley Smile Message Board

http://www.avclub.com/articles/paul-giamatti-joins-that-john-cusackasbrian-wilson,98699/

Ha! You can just picture this in your head, can't you? Can't wait to see him in costume with a ridiculous hairpiece.

Looks good to me… starting to warm to this.

This is looking to be a winner!

I loved him Private Parts 1,000 years ago. This is going to be awesome.

He was incredible in the John Adams miniseries. Quality actor for sure.

Giametti can play comedy like nobody's business so I sure hope the writers exploit the yuks potential of his role to the full; it'd be needed to offset the whole grimness of the Landy era, especially in its later part (apart from, say, depicting the recording of "Smart Girls" - now there's something that would be damn funny if done right).

Absolutely. Great hire.

Suddenly this movie seems like it might not be horrible ...

I love him in Sideways. If this movie is actually released (biopics have a tendency to get announced and then disappear) then it shouldn't be bad

Ok, this movie just got serious

Ooooh snap, now this is starting to sound interesting! damn son

One of my favorite actors. My favorite Giamatti movie is " American Splendor ''. I might be biased because I am a professional artist and also a big Robert Crumb fan. Anyway, American Splendor is a great movie and Paul Giamatti is spot on in his portrayal of Harvey Pekar.

THIS! He rocked hard in American Splendor. Amazing and versatile actor.
He's also portraying another iconic pop culture villain (next to Landy) soon in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - the Rhino. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at him (obviously not in full Rhino mode (http://nukethefridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Amazing+Spider-Man+Rhino+Charging.jpg) yet):

(http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/4603/403mr.jpg)

He'll sure beat that fat guy who played Landy in the 1990 movie!

Horrible casting so far. Why am I not surprised...

Oh man, now that I see Gene is getting a big role, this movie totally needs to start with Brian doing a mid-80s workout (complete with headband, short shorts, and shirt with the sleeves cut off) to "Too Much Sugar" as Gene yells in his face to get in shape.

And, as Brian works out, we see repeated shots of him trying to fit into a pair of leather pants. Each time, he's a little thinner, until finally he can squeeze into the pants. "You look like Jim Morrison," says a leery-eyed Landy.

Then, Brian goes on stage to perform "Night Time". Cut to a shot of Mike Love watching the spectacle on television, shaking his head and then crying.

I think Laura Dern would make a great Melinda.  If you look at pictures from when Melinda was younger, like in the I Just Wasn't Made for These Times documentary, there's a bit of a resemblance too.

I want the middle half hour of the movie to focus entirely on the recording of Sweet Insanity.

Seminal stuff.

And I want a scene where Peter Reum peeks into Landy's, um, 'travel case' with a gazillion packs and bottles of meds for Brian, and see his eyes pop out of his head.

(the latter may be entirely fictitious, but it is no crime to 'emphasise' reality for viewing impact a bit).

Just sayin'.

...and I want the scene where Mike Love says to Brian: 'Those Shoes Are Hideous!!!'.

A remark that changed the course of history.

And the scene where Brian says he's going to walk round the swimming pool 5017 times, and then proceeds to do just that.. If that sequence is not in the film in its entirety, then I for one won't be going to see it.

 ;D

Robust remark from someone in the know.

On closer inspection, I think the film must be about 12 hours in length, just as the original version of Greed, by Erich von Stroheim.

Some studio mogul will cut away about 10 hours and 'lose' the memory devices with that deleted stuff. Result: a bowdlerised and totally incomprehensible, but eminently watchable version will see the light of day.

But true fans and film historians will go to the greatest of lengths for about 45 years and they discover lots of bits and pieces of the movie in the most unexpected of places. They faithfully re-create ever more precise versions of the original film. Also, a whole cottage industry arises where other fans create their own versions of the 12 hour epic biopic about BW.

And then, finally, in the year 2058, there is reason to rejoice: the work as it was intended is released, to great praise, and crowned with many, many awards all over the world.

(*unsettling feelings of déja vu are popping up in my brain*)

I definitely don't know the subject of discussion, the photo doesn't help recognize him either, but if he's really that talented as you all claim, then fine. Though tbh, I'll watch this biopic anyway, even if the casting is consisting of bad &/or obscure actors. It's about Brian Wilson, after all. Surely, if the movie concerned another musician, I'd see it as long as I'm certain it's not a trash.

 
Have you ever actually seen a movie? John Cusack and Paul Giamatti are the exact opposite of bad and/or obscure.

Maybe my wording wasn't accurate, since I didn't mean these 2 actors when I said "bad & obscure". More like in general, addressing to hypothetical casting. As to the 1st question, I don't watch TV & never went to the cinema (the latter is extremely boring imo). So, I think that explains my ignorance in film industry.

If the film-makers want to portray Landy as slimy and villainous then Giamatti's your man - good casting !

Giamatti is a great actor, he's going to be a fantastic Landy.

You're so fascinating Rangerover. Definitely one my favorite people on this board, never stop posting.

I agree that Giamatti is a superb actor. I think he could do a great job of playing Landy.

I see, RangeRover. That makes a lot more sense, actually. My bad.  :)

I always thought Henry Winkler looked like Landy's much more handsome, more awesome brother. GOD.

As bad as that Stamos ABC two-parter was, they should use the guy who played Mike in that. He was a great Mike Love.

Now I'm excited to see who else will be cast. Maybe they'll get a slew of those "I'm an actor not a star" types. Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Murry, for example.

I can smell the Oscars already

Oh hell yes. Sideways is one of my favourite movies, Paul is wonderful in that film.

The cast is excellent (Cusack has always been one of my favorite actors, and Giamatti is great in everything I've seen him in), but does it slightly concern anyone that none of these actors look like the people they're supposed to be portraying??? I mean, geez, Paul Giamatti would make a better 70s Al than Landy at any period of his life.

Yeah, although all the actors they've cast so far are good actors, neither John Cusack nor Paul Dano look at all like Brian or even suggest any sort of Brian vibe, and neither does Paul Giamatti with regards to Landy. When you know a story very well and you see it translated to a movie, i think it's pretty hard to get into it when the actors don't look their part.

.

Nah. I'd much rather have quality actors that evoke the essence of the person rather than some cheesy celebrity impersonator who looks spot on but can't act for toffee.

That said, I'm off to Universal to pitch my Culture Club pic starring... Boy Jason.

http://www.fakefaces.co.uk/lookalikes.html?lookalike_id=1786

As long as they are made to look the same age and have some vague similarities in the way that they're made up then I don't think it should be a big deal. If the performances are good enough people will forget about the physical differences anyway.

I think it's better to have good actors. Joaquin Phoenix really looks nothing like Johnny Cash except for dark hair. Same with Reese Witherspoon for June Carter Cash. And Jamie Foxx doesn't really look like Ray Charles. Can you believe Gary Busey played Buddy Holly? Ha.

I agree Amy.... but having Cusack and Giamatti will attract some viewers who might not otherwise be interested... IMO

I think you misunderstood me. I think it's better to have good actors than to have actors than resemble the people they're playing. So I agree that Cusack and Giamati=better than Brian and Landy doppelgangers. Two great actors. :)

What is this one or the other thinking? Where did i suggest that i am okay with sacrificing good acting for mere physical likeness, or worse, a celebrity impersonator/doppelganger? How about both quality acting and a vague resemblance at the very least?

Nah. Quality acting should come before all else. Richard Gere was great as Bob Dylan.

Couldn't agree more. BTW did Gere really play Dylan? Don't know anything about that.

See it as theatre. Shakespeare did not write 'actor looks prescriptions' to go with his plays. To catch the essence of a character is the secret of art.

Yes...and so did Cate Blanchette, Heath Ledger and four others in the film I'M NOT THERE...which took a surrealistic yet very refreshing look at pivotal events in Dylan's life. The screenwriter for that film, Oren Moverman, is the man behind the screenplay for LOVE & MERCY, so hopefully he brings a similar intelligence to his approach to Brian's life.

Ah, thanks, I should have guessed that at least (didn't see the film). It's good to hear that the director of that film will do L&M too, since it was well-received in the quarters that matter.

I always thought Christoph Waltz would make a good Landy.  Well, not always, but for as long as I've known Christoph Waltz.

You guys, you're making me feel like a philistine.  :'(

I want the movie to feature a montage of Brian going to the fridge with "Gettin' Hungry" as the background music. Flash forward to the 80's and Brian is doing a rigorous workout ala Rocky 3 set to "Eye Of The Tiger". >:D

Elizabeth Banks to play Melinda:

http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/27585/casting-knightley-mcshera-banks-marino

FWIW.  :)

(Great movie news website, btw, I check it frequently.)

Sure, that's not a stretch at all.
(http://hungergamesdwtc.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/elizabeth-banks.jpg)

(http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/MusiCares+2005+Person+Year+Tribute+Brian+Wilson+yj3D-TZJu9Al.jpg)

 ::)

It's not like Brian actually looks like John Cusack, either.  ::) indeed.

Yeah, I don't think anyone in this movie actually looks like they're supposed to in this flick. Say what you will about the last movie, but at least the actors portraying the real life people at least resembled them slightly!

Maybe Banks will go with a look more like this when playing Melinda:

(http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2012/specials/hunger-games/celeb-fans/elizabeth-banks-660.jpg)

Swore the article I read said Banks was playing Marilyn.

Edit

Krabklaw beat me to it!

Yeah, but hiring lookalikes is probably a guarantee that it's going to suck. It's a real M.O.W. move.

Dumb question, but what's MOW?

Movie of the Week.

Sorry about that.

I'm not saying they should make looks the only criteria for hiring an actor. But, it certainly helps to have at least a little bit of a natural resemblance. John Cusack? One of my favorite actors - but playing Brian? Give me a break.

Murry and Mike in the last movie were portayed by actors with a strong semblance to the real life characters - and they turned in the best performances IMO.

Depends on the kind of movie you're looking for. As I've said many times on this board, I'm Not There is a benchmark for me. Richard Gere played Bob Dylan. So did Cate Blanchett. Obviously they look nothing like Dylan and not only were they both great in the movie but they contributed to a great movie as a whole. But I think that conventional biopics are really awful.

I hope she plays the older, with all respect, Marilyn. She is 39. Marilyn was with Brian from her late teens to mid - late 20's.

Beautiful actress but not great casting IMO

They don't have to be exact look-a-likes, just close enough and good enough actors that they truly capture the character.  I'm trying to recall a good example of this, because I know I have seen some bio-films where this was the case, but they escape me at the moment.  I think Cusak could potentially do an awesome job, and what's his name too as the younger Brian.  Jeff Bridges would have been a great choice for the older Brian though, wonder why they didn't go with him?  
One film I'm thinking of - Nowhere Boy - when I first saw that I was pissed that they chose a guy who looked absolutely nothing like Lennon, but then I realized that the guy looked sort of like Elvis and then it all made some sort of beautiful, weird sense, and changed my whole perspective of the film and I ended up really loving it.

What would be hilarious would be if the guy who is playing Mike has hair...

You are correct; one of the articles does say that and goes into some detailed background on Marilyn.

http://www.hollywood.com/news/movies/55018878/elizabeth-banks-paul-giamatti-land-roles-in-brian-wilson-biopic-love-mercy (http://www.hollywood.com/news/movies/55018878/elizabeth-banks-paul-giamatti-land-roles-in-brian-wilson-biopic-love-mercy)

I think Jason Schwartzman would make a great Carl.

I see him as more of a Bruce. Must be the weight difference, Schwartzman is a skinny guy.

Was this picked up on yet? The VDP character has also been cast.

http://www.celebrityteenscoop.com/2013/06/21/schneider-lands-movie/

For better or worse, its looking like its going to happen.

I was thinking of this actor named Zak Orth, he would be pretty good at playing Carl and he seems to look like Carl as well.

Don't know about his thespian skills, but if he, um, 'dons' horn-rimmed glasses, he fits the job.

Here's some casting ideas

Kiefer Sutherland - Carl Wilson

Dwight Schultz - Murry Wilson

Vinnie Jones - Dennis Wilson

Dan Akroyd - Van Dyke parks

Richard E Grant - The manic head of Capitol Records (the comedy character)

Marilyn Manson - Marilyn Wilson

Jonathon Frakes (Riker in Star Trek) - Mike Love

Tom Selleck - Al Jardine

Morgan Freeman - Chuck Britz

That would have been a good choice, I think.

I like the word "Doppelgänger". ;D

YES

Funny, I thought the exact same thing when I saw him in Wet Hot American Summer.  Not sure he looks like that anymore though.

According to Variety, Graham Rogers has been signed to play Al Jardine and Brett Davern to play Carl Wilson, presumably their younger versions.

http://variety.com/2013/film/news/graham-rogers-brett-davern-join-brian-wilson-movie-exclusive-1200503217/

Omg, those guys are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too pretty.  What is this nonsense!!!

Keep yer hopes up!

So how many times do you think we'll read "surf rock band" in these articles about this movie?

Somebody in casting has a definite idea what a "beach boy" should look like, and its not a fat, bearded man!   ;D



My choice for Carl...Jonah Hill:
(http://www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/H/Jonah-Hill-20850227-1-402.jpg)


My choice for Al...the Claymation Elf (similar interest in dentistry!):
(http://www.iamsanta.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/hermie.gif)

:lol

I don't mind.

As long as no one writes: 'boy group'.

If that happens, I will purchase a rifle.

Ten bucks says the review headlines are going to be something along the lines of "Cusack delivers Fun, Fun, Fun" if its good or "Bad Vibrations" if the movie is awful.

I was actually thinking of Jonah Hill as Carl, they're some photos of Carl that do look like (to me anyway) Jonah.

How about Jared Leto as Dennis?

(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/p480x480/296202_10152897193560707_707033120_n.jpg)

Jonah Hill as Carl? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

About the cast of the Beach Boys An American Family

Sorry, I've actually never seen his acting skills. I was going by likeness alone.

How about, COUSIN IT as Mike??  ;-)
(http://30.media.tumblr.com/wDFzz6Slhfzbj565OWFKGhdoo1_400.jpg)
(http://aworldofwords.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/cousinitt.jpg)

Jonah Hill wouldn't work for Carl, but not because he's a bad actor. He's quite decent, actually.

Excuse me if it's mentioned in this thread, but what is this exactly?  A feature film, an HBO special, ABC-Family Sunday night movie?

Feature film!

The actor who played Bob Benson this season on "Mad Men," James Wolk, would have made a good young Brian. He's the right height and has a goofy quality. Too late now.
(http://d3go1nrr5l7vi0.cloudfront.net/size_578xH/w2Japc90LLdhdVw2ZwPiS66mUYc)

Tim Robbins would have made an ideal older Brian Wilson for this thing. I know he already played him in that SNL skit, but come on!

(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2011/05/timrobbinsa_a_p.jpg)

Cusack had better be good.

Well, at least we're getting his co-star from that movie...

(http://11.imagebam.com/download/YxzDkJ_O7G6ayzSFkqdINA/7837/78368357/4.JPG)

Really?!!  That's pretty fcking cool.

Sorry, I don't get what you tried to tell us. Sounds like you forgot to add in the rest of the words. Anyway, recently I watched some Christmas film from my DVD collection - "Fred Claus" - and it turned out one of the actors were Giamatti & Banks. Can't comment about the acting abilities of the actress, but the former showed quite an impressive work. Playing Santa is no easy task, everyone who happened to play this character failed at it imo. But Giamatti is really talented, as everybody mentioned here; he is an example of genuine Santa, lesson for all Santa-casted actors how to be Santa. And that is all despite his cold appearance! Incredible how masterfully he achieved the right vision of his hero.

Other than those 2, I recognized only Vince Vaughn (saw him in some comedy) & Kathy Bates ("Dolores Claiborne"). The movie itself has its moments, but otherwise - boring. Not what I like usually about Christmas films.

If you liked him in that, you ought to see Sideways. He is perfectly cast in that movie and does an excellent job.
Doesn't Fred Claus have Kevin Spacey? He's awesome!  :-D

Thanks for advice, Judd! I'll definitely check it, though 1stly I'll read the storyline.

Yes, Spacey plays a villain->goodie there. I of course heard about the actor, but am afraid "Fred Claus" is the only film I saw him in.