Elizabeth Banks Cast As Laura Bush In Oliver Stone Movie

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Elizabeth Banks is going from the world of adult films to the White House.

The actress, who recently wrapped shooting Kevin Smith's comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," is in final negotiations to portray first lady Laura Bush in "W," Oliver Stone's biopic on the life and presidency of George W. Bush.

Back in January, Stone cast "No Country for Old Men" star Josh Brolin as George W. Bush. At the time the project was announced, Stone told Variety:

"It's a behind-the-scenes approach, similar to 'Nixon,' to give a sense of what it's like to be in his skin," Stone told Daily Variety. "But if 'Nixon' was a symphony, this is more like a chamber piece, and not as dark in tone. People have turned my political ideas into a cliche, but that is superficial. I'm a dramatist who is interested in people, and I have empathy for Bush as a human being, much the same as I did for Castro, Nixon, Jim Morrison, Jim Garrison and Alexander the Great."

Stone declined to give his personal opinion of the president.

"I can't give you that, because the filmmaker has to hide in the work," Stone said. "Here, I'm the referee, and I want a fair, true portrait of the man. How did Bush go from an alcoholic bum to the most powerful figure in the world? It's like Frank Capra territory on one hand, but I'll also cover the demons in his private life, his bouts with his dad and his conversion to Christianity, which explains a lot of where he is coming from. It includes his belief that God personally chose him to be president of the United States, and his coming into his own with the stunning, preemptive attack on Iraq. It will contain surprises for Bush supporters and his detractors."

Comments

[wmbear]

STONE NEEDS TO CAST SOMEONE who looks more like a total ditz. This selection just flatters Laura Bush (including the porno connection)....

[MyThought]

Can you imagine anything more boring than the thought of a story about the Bush's? I bet they don't tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about that family.

The Bush's won't allow it.

We've already had a movie about the Stepford Wives - enough already.

[cindysundancer]

I hope this movie will show how the Bush family has swaggered through the past 60 years of American history with a vast sense of entitlement, gorging themselves at the public trough at tax-payer expense. They are alcoholic bullies, cheaters, and liars who use the levers of power to enrich themselves and their cronies and pin another star on their smug chests. They do not care who they have to cheat, smear, kill or destroy in the process. I pray America is done with the whole incompetent lot of them.

[NotMyPrez]

Doing a Kevin Smith doesn't exactly make her a porn star, duh. And didn't they do Laura's story in The Stepford Wives already?

[VivaZapata]

stone sounds full of himself

[sassafra]

elizabeth has a bit of a ways to go before she attains that "the lights are on but nobody's home look" so favored by the ex gop first ladies.

[kotexbarbie]

But , who will play Jeff Gannon??????

[vontrapp]

There's already a film about a very George W. Bush type figure. It's called "Being There", starring Peter Sellers.

I fear the JFK media backlash has permanently scarred Stone. These days he seems far too earnest to prove himself to the skewed and blindered views of conservatives.

He's lost his teeth. And such biting, dangerous teeth they were.

I hope he proves me wrong with his W. film. But the truth about George W. is a very ugly and dark one unfortunately. No amount of overblown daddy-issues will excuse his destructive and mindlessly self-centered ego. Nor excuse the damage that ego and dangerously shallow intellect has done to other real and living people, and their families.

[tinkaboutit]

I hate his voice so much I can't even bear to listen to imitators. Pass.

[apogee2perogee]

A sufficiently vacant visage...

[starrianna]

Who is he going to cast as Chimpy?

My vote is for: Alfred E. Neuman from MAD Magazine.

[BongWater]

I wonder who will they use as a stunt double when they film the vehicular homicide incident from her care-free high school days?

[auramac]

How 'bout Will Ferrell?

[ltfHusseincrazy]

Too obvious. We've all seen Stone's m.o. He shows the hypocrisies and lies of a situation or period in time by making it an honest portrayal of the person, place or thing.

[TruEngineHearing]

Oddly stated. It sounds like you want to arrest him for being terrific. And I agree.

[starrianna]

not if he doesn't want to ruin his movie!

[Doggpound]

Laura 2016

[slow2]

Doggpound, I gotta good veep; slightly used...but, "a fighter."

[DELICIOUS]

IS THAT THE TITLE "NIGHTMARE AT 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE????