Roddy McDowell

That was his name! (I called him Dr. Zaius because I am a dummy.)

I think ita is right that the hard-transition time for males is earlier than for females -- nobody has a problem with speculating about (or the very idea of) a 17 year old girl having breast implants, but when she's 29 she may have trouble finding work. Whereas 17 year old boys, it is all about suddenly realizing he will never be taller than he is now (although, e.g., DiCaprio stopped looking like a baby, suddenly, when he was like 25).

They need to consolidate Greek epics so Farrell can make fun of Pitt's insecurities to his face.

Although, I am a little reserved on Cate Blanchett as Kate Hepburn, but then, I would be reserved on Kate Hepburn playing Kate Hepburn.

I can't think of anyone better in Blanchett's age range—she's got at least as much of the requisite talent and class as any competitors. Though of course Kate Mulgrew was actually born to play Hepburn. I suspect WWII-era cloning experiments.

Consider that the homoeroticism in Troy was removed in order to assuage the star's concerns about his image (or so I hear)

Well, he must have the IQ of a tuber, because it looked more to me like they'd put in incest, instead of removing homosexuality.

Vonnie, damn her eyes, has tracked down a link claiming that Brad Pitt is being considered for the role of Emilio Sandoz in an adaptation of The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell.

I'm hoping that this is a case of Brad Pitt being such a big name star that his his name is always on the list of potential leading men, regardless of whether anyone's actually seriously considering him for the role.

Because if not, there's not enough HELL NO in the world for how seriously wrong and bad that would be.

(And I like Brad Pitt. But he needs to be well cast, and this would not be it.)

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

My reaction, exactly. The project seems mercifully stalled. Let's hope it'll die a quick death, at least in the current incarnation.

I feel for Russell. I imagine that once she sold the right to the novel, she had no influence at all on casting decisions.

Still. Brad fuckin' Pitt. Jesus.

I can't think of anyone better in Blanchett's age range—she's got at least as much of the requisite talent and class as any competitors.

ITA. I did a little dance when I heard Blanchett got cast as Hepburn. And Jude Law as Errol Flynn? Perfect.

On the other hand, Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner--NSM.

Though of course Kate Mulgrew was actually born to play Hepburn.

She'll play Hepburn in the inevitable MOW timed to come out just before Blanchett's movie hits theaters.

Brad Pitt is being considered for the role of Emilio Sandoz in an adaptation of The Sparrow

Oh, dear god, no. I have nothing against Brad Pitt, but, no. Somebody with both more gravitas and, if such a thing is possible, vulnerability. Stanley Tucci, maybe, or Kevin Spacey, or, if they HAVE to go young (and Emelio wasn't really a young man, if I recall), Edward Norton.

Actually, Spacey would be just about perfect, if he could just forget about all the shit he's done since American Beauty.

Actually, Spacey would be just about perfect, if he could just forget about all the shit he's done since American Beauty

I motion to have The Life of David Gale stricken from the mindwipe.

I think if I have to watch Kevin Spacey suffer munificently one more time I am going to shoot him in a way that will be quickly fatal. That goes double with the character of Emilio Sandoz, for whom the psychological side of his suffering is basically, "No, I have never seen The Mission or Black Robe. Wait, what are you doing?"

Well, he must have the IQ of a tuber, because it looked more to me like they'd put in incest, instead of removing homosexuality.

Heee.

Somebody with both more gravitas and, if such a thing is possible, vulnerability.

I'd rather an unknown. Emilio is in his late 30s, I think (I could be mistaken). And his Puerto Rican heritage is so much a part of the character, casting an Anglo would be so wrong.

At one point, Russell was cowriting the screenplay herself with a friend who'd written several. I wonder what happened to that.

The mind reels at the Hollywoodization of this movie. Anne & her husband will be de-aged, the Jesuits will be turned into Episcopalians so they can have sex (or de-frocked entirely), and Sophia will sleep with everyone. Gah.

And, of course, Emilio won't be raped or kill that little girl.

In better news, Russell's new novel has an ISBN and a publication date. Yay!