J. Edgar Review Thread (Use Spoiler Tags)

[Lord_Stewie]

Hey,

Looks like J. Egar Hoover is getting his own Biopic.

Here are the details:

Before Gus Van Sant’s film Milk was released, many people who didn’t watch Big Love wondered “who the hell is Dustin Lance Black?” That’s the young writer who made his name on Big Love, and whose name was credited large in trailers for his collaboration with Van Sant. After seeing Milk, the question was more like, “when will we see more from this guy?” Giving a great thank-you speech when accepting his Oscar for writing Milk helped cement interest in Black.

Well, Black is currently finishing up What’s Wrong with Virginia, the film he wrote and directed that stars Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly. And now it seems like he’s been tapped to write a biopic based on the life of J. Edgar Hoover, the first director of the FBI and one of the most famous lawmen in the world.

Pajiba reports that Black is writing the script for Ron Howard’s company Imagine Entertainment. While I’m not wild about the idea of Imagine being behind the film, that’s a really interesting hire. Black is very interested in representing the interests of gay culture, and has spoken passionately about young gay men and women being able to safely come out. Hoover was reportedly a cross-dresser and some claim he was homosexual.

Much more substantiated is the fact that Hoover would wield elements of the FBI and other federal energy to control and subvert the civil rights of those he considered enemies and dangers to democracy. He would compile information about the sexual preferences of some subjects, and reportedly used it to discredit them. Regardless of the truth behind the gay/cross-dressing rumor (an image that may have bloomed simply as a way to use Hoover’s own smear campaigns against him) there’s a lot of material in Hoover’s story that would make it of interest to Dustin Lance Black. I love the idea of him drafting this script.

Hoover has been on screen several times before, most recently as played by Billy Crudup in Public Enemies. None of the screen portrayals of Hoover, however, hold a candle to the one written by James Ellroy in American Tabloid, The Cold Six Thousand and Blood’s A Rover. I don’t know that Ellroy’s version of the man is true to life, but he writes him magnificently nonetheless. Channelled by Ellroy’s pen, Hoover is a spider at the center of a massive web of information, always pulling strings and letting out slack to manipulate politics and culture. But he is tragically flawed by shortsighted arrogance. I’d be wild about seeing Ellroy’s Hoover on screen, but I have faith that Black can come up with his own compelling presentation.

Looking Forward to this.

Enjoy.

------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: MARCH 10TH, 2010

Hey,

This is looking better if Clint Eastwood takes the project.

Here is more:

Remember that J. Edgar Hoover biopic that we wrote about last week? Well, Entertainment Weekly and THR have both confirmed that legendary actor and filmmaker Clint Eastwood is interested in directing the project. Brian Grazer and Imagine Entertainment are developing the film, however Eastwood will start working with Oscar winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk) on the script, since he typically gets that intimately involved in his projects. The movie will follow Hoover's career, from the founding of the FBI in 1935 to his long tenure as director of the crime-fighting organization that lasted until 1972 when he died.

Hoover, as it will be called, isn't setup at a studio just yet (even though Brian Grazer normally works with Universal). Both sources say that it will probably end up at Warner Bros, which is where Eastwood has a deal and has been releasing his latest films like Gran Torino and Invictus. I'm absolutely amazed that this guy, at 79 years old, can still direct as many films as he does. He recently finished shooting Hereafter with Matt Damon, which will be out this December. And if I have a feeling that if he does direct Hoover, he'll be shooting sometime by the end of the year as well. I'll be very curious to see who he casts as J. Edgar Hoover.

So combine this news with that other bit about Hoover supposedly being a "closeted homosexual and cross-dresser" in addition to founding the FBI and tell me if this is something you want to see. I'm curious, and it will probably be Oscar bait, but I'm not totally sold yet. This is one of those few projects where I'm going to have to wait until we see a trailer and learn more about what exactly we'll be seeing in this before I'll be completely sold. But there is definitely some high caliber talent working on it, to say the least. Thoughts?

So what do you guys think about this now?

Enjoy.

[Darkhawk9587]

Interesting. I wonder who they'll get to portray Hoover. I though that Billy Crudup did a pretty good job in Public Enemies with the limited screen time he had. Thanks for the post.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by Darkhawk9587

Interesting. I wonder who they'll get to portray Hoover. I though that Billy Crudup did a pretty good job in Public Enemies with the limited screen time he had. Thanks for the post.

No problems.

Who would you nominate. I think they should go with Eric Bana for the part.

[Secretagentnumber6]

Originally Posted by Darkhawk9587

Interesting. I wonder who they'll get to portray Hoover. I though that Billy Crudup did a pretty good job in Public Enemies with the limited screen time he had. Thanks for the post.

Crudup should get the role. I did think he was very good in public enemies and I think he deserves more credit overall for his abilities and this would be a good chance for that.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by Secretagentnumber6

Crudup should get the role. I did think he was very good in public enemies and I think he deserves more credit overall for his abilities and this would be a good chance for that.

But Crudup role was short in the Public Enemies. Do you think he would be able to pull off the role?

Another thing I am sure that producers wouldn't want Crudup for the part. It may end up making it seem as if its connected to Public Enemies in a sense.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by Lord_Stewie

No problems.

Who would you nominate. I think they should go with Eric Bana for the part.

Bana is way too butch looking, Hoover even looked light in the loafers.

[Secretagentnumber6]

Originally Posted by Lord_Stewie

But Crudup role was short in the Public Enemies. Do you think he would be able to pull off the role?

Another thing I am sure that producers wouldn't want Crudup for the part. It may end up making it seem as if its connected to Public Enemies in a sense.

Yeah, you have a point there. And likely they will go for an established big name star. Not that Crudup is a slouch but his name is not bringing anyone into the theater. Based on his work in The Good Shephard, Matt Damon could pull it off too.

[vegeta88]

I vote Billy Crudup as well but that's because I like him as an actor. I was much more interested in him and Bale's character than Dilinger.

Who ever plays Hoover, count me in. It sounds like it would be interesting.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by Secretagentnumber6

Yeah, you have a point there. And likely they will go for an established big name star. Not that Crudup is a slouch but his name is not bringing anyone into the theater. Based on his work in The Good Shephard, Matt Damon could pull it off too.

Personally, I would rather have an unknown play the character. I am thinking its time to pass the torch.

Originally Posted by vegeta88

I vote Billy Crudup as well but that's because I like him as an actor. I was much more interested in him and Bale's character than Dilinger.

Who ever plays Hoover, count me in. It sounds like it would be interesting.

I have always been fascinated with Hoover (History wise). I could only say that its about time someone is working on it.

[Idioteque...]

Originally Posted by vegeta88

I vote Billy Crudup as well but that's because I like him as an actor. I was much more interested in him and Bale's character than Dilinger.

Who ever plays Hoover, count me in. It sounds like it would be interesting.

Crudup is a good actor and Almost Famous supports that but his J. Edgar Hoover was just like his Dr. Manhattan. Emotionless and not memorable.

Dustin Lance Black came to my school to speak, I found out a day after the speech I could have learned something from him.

[Texitura]

Who's doing his gowns?

[Teabaggins]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

Bana is way too butch looking, Hoover even looked light in the loafers.

bana too butch, huh?

ok...I have someone in mind

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by Teabaggins

bana too butch, huh?

After 'Chopper' the guy had BAMF stamped permanently to his forehead.

As for that other fellow...........I bet his father was shocked to find that he raised Little Lord Ice Dancer.........

[wallendo]

Hoover is a character who could inspire a great movie, but there are so many ways this movie could go wrong. It could go from a serious drama to Rocky Horror Picture Show.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by wallendo

Hoover is a character who could inspire a great movie, but there are so many ways this movie could go wrong. It could go from a serious drama to Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Don't go there.

[Darkhawk9587]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

Crudup is a good actor and Almost Famous supports that but his J. Edgar Hoover was just like his Dr. Manhattan. Emotionless and not memorable.

Dustin Lance Black came to my school to speak, I found out a day after the speech I could have learned something from him.

Ah, but you are forgetting that Dr. Manhattan was supposed to be that way. Distant. Cut off from humanity. Crudup did a great job with his portrayal in Watchmen IMO.

[Shanester]

Originally Posted by Teabaggins

bana too butch, huh?

ok...I have someone in mind

He's too masculin

Can this drama queen even act??

[Lord_Stewie]

UPDATE: MARCH 10TH, 2010

Hey,

This is looking better if Clint Eastwood takes the project.

Here is more:

Remember that J. Edgar Hoover biopic that we wrote about last week? Well, Entertainment Weekly and THR have both confirmed that legendary actor and filmmaker Clint Eastwood is interested in directing the project. Brian Grazer and Imagine Entertainment are developing the film, however Eastwood will start working with Oscar winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk) on the script, since he typically gets that intimately involved in his projects. The movie will follow Hoover's career, from the founding of the FBI in 1935 to his long tenure as director of the crime-fighting organization that lasted until 1972 when he died.

Hoover, as it will be called, isn't setup at a studio just yet (even though Brian Grazer normally works with Universal). Both sources say that it will probably end up at Warner Bros, which is where Eastwood has a deal and has been releasing his latest films like Gran Torino and Invictus. I'm absolutely amazed that this guy, at 79 years old, can still direct as many films as he does. He recently finished shooting Hereafter with Matt Damon, which will be out this December. And if I have a feeling that if he does direct Hoover, he'll be shooting sometime by the end of the year as well. I'll be very curious to see who he casts as J. Edgar Hoover.

So combine this news with that other bit about Hoover supposedly being a "closeted homosexual and cross-dresser" in addition to founding the FBI and tell me if this is something you want to see. I'm curious, and it will probably be Oscar bait, but I'm not totally sold yet. This is one of those few projects where I'm going to have to wait until we see a trailer and learn more about what exactly we'll be seeing in this before I'll be completely sold. But there is definitely some high caliber talent working on it, to say the least. Thoughts?

So what do you guys think about this now?

Enjoy.

[vegeta88]

If Eastwood is attached, I'll buy my ticket right now. He really seems to have a passion for history (maybe it makes him feel young )

I would actually be somewhat surprised if they touch on Hoover's cross-dressing. It just doesn't seem like it would make for a good movie concerning the rest of the material. I could be wrong.

Eastwood is really efficient at film making. Matt Damon said that he asked Clint for a second take and Eastwood replied "Why? So you can waste every-body's time?" Awesome.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by vegeta88

If Eastwood is attached, I'll buy my ticket right now. He really seems to have a passion for history (maybe it makes him feel young )

I would actually be somewhat surprised if they touch on Hoover's cross-dressing. It just doesn't seem like it would make for a good movie concerning the rest of the material. I could be wrong.

Eastwood is really efficient at film making. Matt Damon said that he asked Clint for a second take and Eastwood replied "Why? So you can waste every-body's time?" Awesome.

I think this will be a good thing if Eastwood takes the project. Not once I have seen a bad movie by him or he acted in it. He is in the game for the love of the game.