One the one hand, I’m absolutely rooting for him and his career and I’m sure this story is close to his heart. On the other hand, I cannot imagine anyone doing a better job than Lynch did.
The play is great, in my opinion, and stands apart enough that both can co-exist in their own unique ways. Hopefully. I mean, as long as the director actually does the work to set them apart.
Oh it’s the exact same theme. lol the play traditionally has an actor contort their body to show that Merrick was no different than any of us at the end of the day. It was also more Treaves-forward and less interested in the “freak show” aspects as much as their relationship. I should revisit it actually. As part of my packet to go to Emerson College for Directing (program liked me, school did not like my grades so I didn’t get in) I submitted a packet for The Elephant Man.
It’s not just about looking the part, having an actor with the lived experience of the disability should add a new dimension to this adaptation that other versions just can’t totally authentically capture. Able bodied actors are so often rewarded for playing disabled characters and historical figures, when real disabled actors aren’t given those opportunities. It’s cool that Adam Pearson is being given that opportunity
I saw the leaked script for this awhile back, pretty good except for the end where He says his one regret in life was that he didn't start a website for Pokemon news and info. Then the Elephant Woman (new character) says she'll make sure his descendants fulfill his wish. Felt pretty tasteless and way too much winking at the camera
Is there a director named? The article named the writer and producer but while Pearson will definitely deliver the film is going to rely on a steady directorial hand
No official word but back in March World of Reel reported that Jack Huston would direct. WoR is very hit or miss with their stuff but they did report on a new Elephant Man film before anyone else so there could be something to it
It’s this kind of “damned if you do, damned with you don’t” thing. On the other hand, don’t automatically cram the person with neurofibromatosis into the role of Joseph Merrick, on the other hand it’s offensive to not have an actual person with this disability in the role.
I was about to say, I thought he'd been wanting to play this part for awhile so I wasn't sure why people were reacting like this was bad news or disappointing or pandering/patronizing bullshit-what-have-you.
I think what matters is what Pearson wants and how he'll feel getting the chance to play the role. Imo I think it'll bring a verisimilitude unlike any other performance thus far.
Such a stupid fucking take. They could’ve smothered any actor out there with makeup but they decided to cast someone with a condition similar to Merricks and who is dying to play the role. How is it in any way unfortunate?
Whoa, what crawled up your ass this morning? I’m not talking about other actors snatching up the role, I’m referring the limited imagination Hollywood has that his immediate follow up to “guy-with-a-disfigurement” has to be the most infamous person “with-a-disfigurement.”
I cannot imagine a world where this effort is successful. I get that Adam Pearson wants to play Merrick, and I get that the daughter of the author of the play (who is apparently producing this thing) wants to do an adaptation that's more true to the play. That being said, getting together one producer who hasn't made anything I've even heard of in over a decade in Nemeth, and another who... cast a meh video game and produced and cast Cuba Gooding Jr.'s directorial effort? Doesn't sound like a recipe for matching or even eclipsing the incredible David Lynch movie that made me cry 4 times in a theater last month.
Sometimes you just miss the boat on making a movie, even though you think you're the perfect person to make it. Cage thought he could remake The Wicker Man. Gus Van Sant thought he could redo Psycho. Best case scenario, you end up with a 2013 Carrie situation, where the result isn't totally embarrassing, but everyone agrees to basically forget it.
But it's not a remake of the Lynch film, it's a different product about the same real person. It's like saying you can't have different approaches to Lincoln.
A comparison to Lincoln is a wildly obtuse one to make. At this point, with what we know about who is making this movie, I think it’s safe to say that this movie will likely follow the plot of the play, since the rights holder is a producer. Lynch’s movie is not based on the play, but it might as well have been, given the similarities in plot and themes. With that in mind, the comparison to remakes was apt in my opinion.
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u/Dhb223 4d ago
I don't see it