Movie rumour

[elisabeth]

In the latest issue of The Crow's Nest (the CAGB's journal) there's a statement that Oliver Stone's SOTMS movie will star Viggo Mortensen as Custer.

I can't find any confirmation of that on IMDb or anywhere ... but it sounds an OK choice to me. What do the rest of you think?

[George Armstrong Custer]

Interesting to hear that this project still seems to be a live prospect, Elisabeth. Here's a shot of Mortensen in appropriate getup:



Regards,
GAC

[fred]

Is this for real? Is there really going to be a re-make of the movie? And isn't that the fellow who played in Hidalgo? I liked that movie; even went out & bought it.

[elisabeth]

That's the fellow. He also did a very nice turn as Aragorn in Lord of the Rings. He certainly seems a better bet than Nic Cage or (gulp) Brad Pitt, who were earlier rumoured for the part!

I must correct myself, it wasn't in The Crow's Nest that I read it, but in a report on the last meeting of the Scottish branch of the CAGB, at the end of April. So, pretty recent stuff; but no mention of where they got the information. Maybe one of those present is also on this board, and could expand?

IMDb still has the movie listed as in production, with a release date of 2007, but still with no casting information of any kind; so if Stone is going ahead with it, he's cutting it a bit fine ... But let's hope!

[fred]

Oh, c'mon, Elisabeth! You cannot be serious about either of those 2 clowns for the role of Custer, can you? Why not Tom Cruise?

I will tell you one fellow who would be good for the movie, though maybe not for Custer: Johnny Depp.

Best wishes,
Fred.

[elisabeth]

Agree totally, both about the clowns and about Depp -- he's good for any movie. Hard to think of a part that'd be right for him in this, though ... unless it was Custer. It does call for a character actor rather than a leading-man type.

Imagine the sort of Custer movie it would become with Depp as Custer! Wild. What fun.

[bubbabod]

Well, folks, I'm always interested in another new LBH movie, but Olilver Stone?? Yipes! Would it try to be historically correct or would he throw out some wild theories? I'd think it would be entertaining, at the very least.
As for Vigg, hmm. He might be pretty good. Johnny Depp amused the hell out of me as Capt. Jack Sparrow. Very entertaining.
Now, don't crucify me for saying this, and hear me out, but I think Kevin Costner would make a great Custer. I think he transforms into a great cavalry officer. I loved his portrayal in Open Range, and I think he could pull Custer off. Of course my first all-time choice, though, would have been a younger Robert Duvall. He would be the best ever.
As for Brad Pitt, I'd have never thought he could pull off portraying Achilles, but I thought he did a great job. And not to get off track--sorry--but there were so many inaccurracies in that movie, well, it still didn't spoil it for me.
Anyway, that's my two cents.

[Scout]

bubbabod...Costner was offered the role in the TV SOTMS...he's a tad to old now...what was Custer when he died 35 or 36?

[fred]

Scout--

36.

And here is my idea of Johnny Depp (and please don't jump out of your seats until you have finished reading this, please): Depp = Henry Moore Harrington.

C Company played a prominent role in the entire campaign. First of all, while neither was a member of the "Clan," both Harrington & his USMA schoolmate, Varnum, were 2 of Custer's favorite junior officers. Second, TWC rode w/ brother George for virtually the entire campaign, leaving Harrington & 1SG Bobo to run the day-to-day maneuverings of the company. In all likelihood, Harrington probably ran the company in its death. Plus, his body was never found, adding a little mystery to the whole thing. Quite frankly, I think it would add a little depth to what most people view as a one-dimensional subject. I like Depp & i love the story of Henry Harrington.

Best wishes,
Fred.

[Tricia]

Mortensen is currently--or about to start--filming on a project in Romania, entitled, "Eastern Promise." It's by David Cronenberg, who directed him in "A History of Violence." So, I'm guessing he won't be avaliable until later in the year (which may be prove difficult for some location shots up north).

Friday night, I just happened to be watching "28 Days" with Sandra Bullock, which features Mortensen as a sex and drug addicted pitcher, and thought that if Stone absolutely had to do the remake of "Son of The Morning Star," he'd make a decent Custer (although handsome, Mortensen's face isn't too beautiful)! Weird ...

Don't tell West and CSS, though, if this turns out to be true. They're all set on Matthew McConnaghey ...

[El Crab]

McConnaghey is a better choice, just based on looks. He has what I'd consider the closest nose to Custer's of any of the candidates, and the cheekbones to go with 'em.

Now, as for his acting chops, that's something else entirely.

Personally, I'd want to find an unknown that looks like Custer, rather than yet another actor with a fake handlebar moustache.

[fred]

elcrab said:

... yet another actor with a fake handlebar moustache.

Hey, Crab! Maybe they could borrow yours!

[bubbabod]

Fred, as to El Crab's alleged mustache, I've watched the signature on his posts, a day by day following, but have yet to see any actual showing of said facial hair. I know he has the computer chops to post a picture of his infamous mustache, but has failed to do so. Therefore:

Day 1: looking for El Crab's mustache online.

[Diane Merkel]

I think Crab has been stuck on Day 81 for a while. Did it stop growing?

[El Crab]

admin said:

I think Crab has been stuck on Day 81 for a while. Did it stop growing?

No, I lost count. And I'm lazy.

I'll update it now.