I tend to avoid reporting on projects at the pre-production stage, since they so often don’t pan out — if they were ever more than rumors to begin with. But it’s for that very reason that I bring this to your attention: if I mention it, that’ll hopefully put the hex on it ever happening. From the Guardian:
Russell Crowe looks set to take a leading role in A Star Is Born, a remake of the classic Hollywood melodrama about a fading, drunken superstar who finds himself eclipsed by a younger model. The former Gladiator star is reportedly in talks to appear alongside Beyoncé in the Warner Bros production.
Not horrific enough for you? Well, Nick Cassavetes (“My Sister’s Keeper,” “John Q,” “The Notebook”) is reportedly in the director’s chair. Uh, bring it on.
Comments
30 responses to “Nothing good can come of this”
Oh LORD.
:(
Beyonce gave a worthy performance in Cadillac Records.
The need a new director though.
Beyonce is the least of my worries here. Let’s just say I’m getting a lot of flavours that don’t taste great together.
What’s wrong with John Q? The other two, yeah, but John Q ain’t half bad.
(Although the horror of the rest of it is evident.)
I agree, John Q ain’t half bad. It’s double bad.
I believe I’m with the majority in this instance ;)
I do not understand the appeal of Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe, lest anyone think I mean otherwise, is one of my favourite actors of his generation.
Speaking of Russell Crowe, I just watched Gladiator today. What an entertaining movie.
Not sure how this will all end up, but hopefully it’s not a train-wreck.
My question is how is Nick Cassavetes– son of one of the greatest independent American directors of all time– such a generic, bland and uninteresting filmmaker? It doesn’t even seem like there is passion behind any one of his films. Even some potentially interesting films like “Alphadog” are crippled by his directorial decisions.
Oh Guy, couldn’t you have posted the most intriguing rumor that Penelope Cruz has been cast in Lars Von Trier’s new movie Melancholia instead? =)
You mean this isn’t a joke? I read about this the other day and thought, “Oh no.” I can’t stand Russell Crowe, I think he’s a good actor but I have a hard time watching him in movies and not seeing HIM, he rubs me the wrong way for some reason and I can’t ever really separate the actor from the character most of the time. He’s one of the few actors that has that effect on me, maybe it’ll wear off in time. I’ll admit to being a huge Beyonce fan, but I just don’t see this working, she finally showed real promise in “Cadillac Records” but I think the public is growing tired of seeing her play singers. Don’t get me started on Cassavetes…
I absolutely love Russell Crowe, but I’m growing very frustrated with his choices. The last really exceptional movie he made was “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” and that was almost seven years ago. It feels like he’s not challenging himself anymore.
And he really needs to step away from Ridley Scott for a while. In fact, if he wants to reteam with any director, it should really be Michael Mann (and Peter Weir, but he hardly ever works, so logistically that’s a problem).
And the amount of remakes/”re-imaginings” he’s recently starred in is mind-boggling.
Eww, Russel Crowe isn’t good enough to be Beyonce’s romantic lead! Couldn’t they have found someone more appealing?
“Oh Guy, couldn’t you have posted the most intriguing rumor that Penelope Cruz has been cast in Lars Von Trier’s new movie Melancholia instead? ”
Penelope Cruz Prepares To Get Tortured By Lars Von Trier — That’s the best headline of the year!
crowe needs to tear Beyonce’s ass up
This is a story that needs to be retold yet again.
Dylan, if you have a few hours I could explain to you the appeal of Russell Crowe, including his phenomenal acting talents, of course. :)
Liz, I don’t know many of my fellow RC fans who want him to do this movie, partly because of Beyonce and partly because it’s remake. It’s probably just another rumor anyway, they crop up every few months.
I disagree that Master and Commander was his last great movie, though. While 3:10 to Yuma and State of Play were both very fine movies and his portrayals of Ben Wade and Cal McCaffrey were excellent, Cinderella Man was an exceptional movie and his performance as Jim Braddock is one of his best.
I wonder, though, how many ‘really exceptional’ scripts are out there and are able to get made in these times. I certainly didn’t see many ‘really exceptional’ movies this year at all.
Beyonce really wants an Oscar. Unfortunately she can’t really act (though that didn’t stop Jennifer Hudson). Hopefully, she surprises and knocks it out of the park. Same goes for Russell Crow who, in my opinion, was robbed of a nomination in 2005 for Cinderella Man. Oh and Nick Cassavettes has got to go.
“Eww, Russel Crowe isn’t good enough to be Beyonce’s romantic lead! Couldn’t they have found someone more appealing?”
There is so much wrong with that statement that I scarcely know where to begin.
And if you are all every in doubt about Beyonce’s thespian skills, do give “Austin Powers 3: Goldmember” another go.
A riveting, multi-faceted performance to be sure.
[fistmouth]
no no No No NO NO NO!!!!!
This brings terror and horror. Jebus is coming, the Apocalypse is nigh.
Although, I can see a sick logic behind this: “Beyonce is a musical star, and she’s starred in films before — people like her, right? Crowe is a good actor, let’s hire him. “A Star is Born” was remade already, we can do it again! Sounds like a winning combination!”
“Beyonce really wants an Oscar. Unfortunately she can’t really act (though that didn’t stop Jennifer Hudson). ”
Mike I’m assuming you haven’t seen “Cadillac Records”? Beyonce’s performance in that film should allow filmmakers to take a chance on her in more challenging/serious roles. As for Jennifer Hudson – she was the “it” girl that year with an award’s bait musical number in a musical.
Winning an Academy Award – especially during the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s is filled with actors with questionable abilities outside their Oscar winning roles.
The absurdity of casting Beyonce in movies is at an all-time high. She was the worst part of Cadillac Records. That movie would have be 10X better if it was just the Jeffrey Wright an Columbus Short show instead of turning it into a Beyonce vehicle. Couldn’t they use Sanaa Lathan or Zoe Saldana or Thandie Newton I mean there are other actresses with talent, why does she keep getting roles?
Remember Hollywood’s last attempt to remake A Star is Born? It was to star Will Smith and Mariah Carey. Smith dropped out. Mariah stayed. They ended up with… er, Max Beesley. Vondie Curtis Hall directed it. And the title changed, but it was still very much that horrific-sounding movie. Need I say more?
Andrew R: Unlike this one, I don’t want to jinx that rumour!
Tim R: Yes, the Smith-to-Beesley transition must rank as one of Hollywood’s all-time weirdest games of musical chairs.
Well, I guess I’m one of the few people who actually would like this to happen then. I love Russell Crowe and him playing a drunk celebrity would be kinda interesting. And Beyoncé should really dump that Jay-Z guy and hook up with me..!
But really, isn’t the problem with this that it’s another remake? Would people be upset if it was an original project with those two? The story in A Star is Born is just as perfect now as it was in the 30s or 50s. The question is if they can get a script right so it has more to it than just a remake.
“The absurdity of casting Beyonce in movies is at an all-time high. She was the worst part of Cadillac Records. That movie would have be 10X better if it was just the Jeffrey Wright an Columbus Short show instead of turning it into a Beyonce vehicle. Couldn’t they use Sanaa Lathan or Zoe Saldana or Thandie Newton I mean there are other actresses with talent, why does she keep getting roles?”
She’s the executive producer of Cadillac Records. I think the work Ivana Chubbuck did with her shows in her performance.
after this, crowe will team with sean penn and taylor swift in a remake of “some like it hot”
I have no trouble at all seeing the appeal of Russell Crowe and no questions about his talent. I also can definitely see him in this role. But Beyonce? She does not have the acting chops to hold her on on the same screen with Crowe. If this really does happen, they should get a female lead who can act!