Dan Lauria will play former Speaker of the House Thomas “Tip” O’Neill in the upcoming biopic Reagan.
He’ll play opposite Dennis Quaid, who plays the 40th president.
Dan Lauria as Tip O’Neill
In a statement, director Sean McNamara said, “He and Dennis have the chemistry needed to portray Reagan and O’Neill as two politicians who were respectful adversaries.”
In Washington, the 1980s friendship between Reagan and O’Neill has long been viewed as a contrast to recent decades, as partisan rifts have gotten more personal.
Others in the case include Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan, Mena Suvari as Jane Wyman, Kevin Dillon as Jack Warner and Jon Voight as a fictional Kgb agent who tracks Reagan over the course of 40 years. Howard Klausner and Jonas McCord wrote the script.
Reagan is scheduled for a 2023 release, with shooting already completed.
Lauria received critical acclaim for playing Vince Lombardi...
He’ll play opposite Dennis Quaid, who plays the 40th president.
Dan Lauria as Tip O’Neill
In a statement, director Sean McNamara said, “He and Dennis have the chemistry needed to portray Reagan and O’Neill as two politicians who were respectful adversaries.”
In Washington, the 1980s friendship between Reagan and O’Neill has long been viewed as a contrast to recent decades, as partisan rifts have gotten more personal.
Others in the case include Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan, Mena Suvari as Jane Wyman, Kevin Dillon as Jack Warner and Jon Voight as a fictional Kgb agent who tracks Reagan over the course of 40 years. Howard Klausner and Jonas McCord wrote the script.
Reagan is scheduled for a 2023 release, with shooting already completed.
Lauria received critical acclaim for playing Vince Lombardi...
- 12/9/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ryan Whitney Newman has joined the cast of Reagan, the indie on the 40th President of the United States, which stars Dennis Quaid.
The film from Rawhide Pictures follows Ronald Reagan’s journey from his childhood in Dixon, Il to Hollywood to the White House. It’s set for release in theaters in 2022.
Newman will play Reagan’s first love, Margaret “Mugs” Cleaver, opposite David Henrie, who is playing a younger version of the president.
Directed by Sean McNamara, from a script by Howard Klausner, with Mark Joseph producing, the film also stars Penelope Ann Miller, Mena Suvari, Lesley-Anne Down, Kevin Dillon, Jon Voight and more.
Newman is best known for her series regular roles on DisneyXD’s Zeke and Luther, Nick-at-Nite’s multi-cam comedy See Dad Run and Nickelodeon’s The Thundermans. She has also appeared in the films Monster House with Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kevin James...
The film from Rawhide Pictures follows Ronald Reagan’s journey from his childhood in Dixon, Il to Hollywood to the White House. It’s set for release in theaters in 2022.
Newman will play Reagan’s first love, Margaret “Mugs” Cleaver, opposite David Henrie, who is playing a younger version of the president.
Directed by Sean McNamara, from a script by Howard Klausner, with Mark Joseph producing, the film also stars Penelope Ann Miller, Mena Suvari, Lesley-Anne Down, Kevin Dillon, Jon Voight and more.
Newman is best known for her series regular roles on DisneyXD’s Zeke and Luther, Nick-at-Nite’s multi-cam comedy See Dad Run and Nickelodeon’s The Thundermans. She has also appeared in the films Monster House with Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kevin James...
- 8/23/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Trevor Donovan, best known for starring in the teen drama “90210” and several Hallmark Channel rom-coms, has been cast in the upcoming Ronald Reagan biopic.
The independent film, titled “Reagan,” features Dennis Quaid as the 40th president of the United States of America. It tells the story of Reagan during his childhood, through his acting career and into the highest office in the United States. Donovan will play Reagan’s longest-serving Secret Service agent John Barletta.
Though an exact release date hasn’t been announced, “Reagan” is expected to debut sometime in early 2022.
“Reagan” was filmed at the former president’s ranch outside of Santa Barbara, Calif. It’s the first film to ever shoot on the property where Reagan resided, which became known as the Western White House.
Sean McNamara directed “Reagan,” which was written by Howard Klausner and produced by Mark Joseph. The cast also includes “Wizards of Waverly Place...
The independent film, titled “Reagan,” features Dennis Quaid as the 40th president of the United States of America. It tells the story of Reagan during his childhood, through his acting career and into the highest office in the United States. Donovan will play Reagan’s longest-serving Secret Service agent John Barletta.
Though an exact release date hasn’t been announced, “Reagan” is expected to debut sometime in early 2022.
“Reagan” was filmed at the former president’s ranch outside of Santa Barbara, Calif. It’s the first film to ever shoot on the property where Reagan resided, which became known as the Western White House.
Sean McNamara directed “Reagan,” which was written by Howard Klausner and produced by Mark Joseph. The cast also includes “Wizards of Waverly Place...
- 2/19/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Russian-born actor Alex Sparrow has joined the cast of Sean McNamara’s Ronald Reagan biopic, Variety has confirmed.
In “Reagan,” Sparrow will portray an up-and-coming Russian political leader named Andrei Novikov. Sparrow will act alongside Jon Voight, who plays a Kgb agent who tracked Reagan for 40 years. In search of answers about the Soviet Union’s demise, Sparrow’s character soon becomes acquainted with the Kgb agent.
“We are excited to have Alex on board,” McNamara said. “He brings poise and strength to the character and brings Novikov to life.”
Sparrow most recently appeared in the Netflix series “Space Force” as Yuri “Bobby” Telatovich, the Russian Space Force liaison. In the U.S., he has also held roles on Lifetime’s “Unreal,” the horror film “The Vatican Tapes” and “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.” In Russia — where he goes by Alexey Vorobyov — Sparrow is best known for his music career,...
In “Reagan,” Sparrow will portray an up-and-coming Russian political leader named Andrei Novikov. Sparrow will act alongside Jon Voight, who plays a Kgb agent who tracked Reagan for 40 years. In search of answers about the Soviet Union’s demise, Sparrow’s character soon becomes acquainted with the Kgb agent.
“We are excited to have Alex on board,” McNamara said. “He brings poise and strength to the character and brings Novikov to life.”
Sparrow most recently appeared in the Netflix series “Space Force” as Yuri “Bobby” Telatovich, the Russian Space Force liaison. In the U.S., he has also held roles on Lifetime’s “Unreal,” the horror film “The Vatican Tapes” and “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.” In Russia — where he goes by Alexey Vorobyov — Sparrow is best known for his music career,...
- 12/3/2020
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Kevin Dillon will portray Warner Bros. Studios founder Jack Warner in Dennis Quaid’s upcoming “Reagan” biopic, Variety has learned.
Production on “Reagan” in Oklahoma was halted for two weeks in late October and early November due to a Covid-19 outbreak among crew members. Shooting resumed on Nov. 5 and will be moving to California, according to producer Mark Joseph.
“Reagan” is directed by Sean McNamara, produced by Joseph and written by Howard Klausner. Penelope Ann Miller plays Nancy Reagan, Jon Voight portrays a Kgb agent who tracked Reagan for 40 years and Mena Suvari plays Reagan’s first wife Jane Wyman.
Reagan signed a seven-year contract with Warner Bros. in 1937 and made most of his movies there. He starred in “Dark Victory,” “Knute Rockne, All American” and “Kings Row,” which was nominated for the Academy Award for best picture in 1943. Reagan portrayed a double amputee in “Kings Row” and gained renown for the line,...
Production on “Reagan” in Oklahoma was halted for two weeks in late October and early November due to a Covid-19 outbreak among crew members. Shooting resumed on Nov. 5 and will be moving to California, according to producer Mark Joseph.
“Reagan” is directed by Sean McNamara, produced by Joseph and written by Howard Klausner. Penelope Ann Miller plays Nancy Reagan, Jon Voight portrays a Kgb agent who tracked Reagan for 40 years and Mena Suvari plays Reagan’s first wife Jane Wyman.
Reagan signed a seven-year contract with Warner Bros. in 1937 and made most of his movies there. He starred in “Dark Victory,” “Knute Rockne, All American” and “Kings Row,” which was nominated for the Academy Award for best picture in 1943. Reagan portrayed a double amputee in “Kings Row” and gained renown for the line,...
- 11/15/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Production back up in Oklahoma after two-week Covid shutdown.
Voltage Pictures’ AFM sales title Reagan has found its Margaret Thatcher, with Lesley-Anne Down joining Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller to play the former British prime minister.
Quaid plays former US president Ronald Reagan and Miller portrays Nancy Reagan in the biopic, which has resumed production in Oklahoma after being shut down for two weeks when several members of the production tested positive for Covid-19.
The US leader and his British counterpart Thatcher forged a strong alliance in the 1980s, a time when the Cold War was never far from...
Voltage Pictures’ AFM sales title Reagan has found its Margaret Thatcher, with Lesley-Anne Down joining Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller to play the former British prime minister.
Quaid plays former US president Ronald Reagan and Miller portrays Nancy Reagan in the biopic, which has resumed production in Oklahoma after being shut down for two weeks when several members of the production tested positive for Covid-19.
The US leader and his British counterpart Thatcher forged a strong alliance in the 1980s, a time when the Cold War was never far from...
- 11/11/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Shut down for almost two weeks because of positive coronavirus results among the crew, Reagan is back in front of the cameras, and with the 40th Potus’ first wife cast.
The Dennis Quaid-starring movie resumed production on November 5 in Oklahoma after getting the green light from medical officials. I’m told that the film directed by Sean McNamara restarted with scenes depicting the Kremlin back in the darkest days of the Cold War when it looked like the U.S. and the Ussr were pitched for a military clash.
Reagan had shut down on October 22 after several members of the production tested positive for Covid-19. Right now, as with most of the country, the Sooner State is seeing a surge in confirmed cases, with 2,197 this weekend. That brings the total to 138,455 cases since March in a state with a population of 4 million.
In addition to all that very real and potential deadly drama,...
The Dennis Quaid-starring movie resumed production on November 5 in Oklahoma after getting the green light from medical officials. I’m told that the film directed by Sean McNamara restarted with scenes depicting the Kremlin back in the darkest days of the Cold War when it looked like the U.S. and the Ussr were pitched for a military clash.
Reagan had shut down on October 22 after several members of the production tested positive for Covid-19. Right now, as with most of the country, the Sooner State is seeing a surge in confirmed cases, with 2,197 this weekend. That brings the total to 138,455 cases since March in a state with a population of 4 million.
In addition to all that very real and potential deadly drama,...
- 11/10/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Company to launch official sales at the virtual AFM next month.
Voltage Pictures, riding high on the $40m-plus international box office of After We Collided, has picked up sales on Rawhide Pictures’ upcoming Ronald Regan biopic Reagan starring Dennis Quaid.
Penelope Ann Miller has joined the cast as Nancy Reagan, who stood by her husband’s side during his presidency in the 1980s.
It was a tumultuous time in international politics and also in the US, where Reagan’s legacy endures as a key figure in modern Conservatism.
Voltage will launch official sales at the virtual AFM next month.
Sean McNamara is directing Reagan,...
Voltage Pictures, riding high on the $40m-plus international box office of After We Collided, has picked up sales on Rawhide Pictures’ upcoming Ronald Regan biopic Reagan starring Dennis Quaid.
Penelope Ann Miller has joined the cast as Nancy Reagan, who stood by her husband’s side during his presidency in the 1980s.
It was a tumultuous time in international politics and also in the US, where Reagan’s legacy endures as a key figure in modern Conservatism.
Voltage will launch official sales at the virtual AFM next month.
Sean McNamara is directing Reagan,...
- 10/14/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Penelope Ann Miller is taking on the role of First Lady Nancy Reagan in a biopic of former President Ronald Reagan, Variety has confirmed.
Miller will star opposite Dennis Quaid, who is playing Ronald Reagan. The film is being helmed by “The Miracle Season” and “Soul Surfer” director Sean McNamara and is currently in production in Oklahoma.
Miller will portray Nancy Reagan from her late 20s to early 70s. The film follows Ronald Reagan’s life through the eyes of a fictional Kgb agent, who keeps tabs on Reagan throughout his career. Robert Davi has been cast as Soviet Union leader Leonid Brezhnev, and Jon Voight will play the role of the Kgb agent.
The film is an independent drama from Rawhide Pictures and producer Mark Joseph, who has previously worked on the first amendment documentary “No Safe Spaces” and “The Vessel,” a drama staring Martin Sheen. Howard Klausner and...
Miller will star opposite Dennis Quaid, who is playing Ronald Reagan. The film is being helmed by “The Miracle Season” and “Soul Surfer” director Sean McNamara and is currently in production in Oklahoma.
Miller will portray Nancy Reagan from her late 20s to early 70s. The film follows Ronald Reagan’s life through the eyes of a fictional Kgb agent, who keeps tabs on Reagan throughout his career. Robert Davi has been cast as Soviet Union leader Leonid Brezhnev, and Jon Voight will play the role of the Kgb agent.
The film is an independent drama from Rawhide Pictures and producer Mark Joseph, who has previously worked on the first amendment documentary “No Safe Spaces” and “The Vessel,” a drama staring Martin Sheen. Howard Klausner and...
- 10/14/2020
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Penelope Ann Miller will play Nancy Reagan in Reagan, a biopic of former President Ronald Reagan that stars Dennis Quaid in the title role.
The movie is currently, and quietly, in production in Oklahoma, with Jon Voight and Robert Davi also in the cast.
Sean McNamara, who directed the faith-based hit Soul Surfer, is directing the indie drama that hails from Rawhide Pictures and producer Mark Joseph. Joseph previously produced the First Amendment documentary, No Safe Spaces, and co-executive produced the Martin Sheen-starring faith-based drama, The Vessel. Ralph Winter, a producer on the X-Men franchise, is also producing.
Howard Klausner and Jonas McCord ...
The movie is currently, and quietly, in production in Oklahoma, with Jon Voight and Robert Davi also in the cast.
Sean McNamara, who directed the faith-based hit Soul Surfer, is directing the indie drama that hails from Rawhide Pictures and producer Mark Joseph. Joseph previously produced the First Amendment documentary, No Safe Spaces, and co-executive produced the Martin Sheen-starring faith-based drama, The Vessel. Ralph Winter, a producer on the X-Men franchise, is also producing.
Howard Klausner and Jonas McCord ...
- 10/14/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Penelope Ann Miller will play Nancy Reagan in Reagan, a biopic of former President Ronald Reagan that stars Dennis Quaid in the title role.
The movie is currently, and quietly, in production in Oklahoma, with Jon Voight and Robert Davi also in the cast.
Sean McNamara, who directed the faith-based hit Soul Surfer, is directing the indie drama that hails from Rawhide Pictures and producer Mark Joseph. Joseph previously produced the First Amendment documentary, No Safe Spaces, and co-executive produced the Martin Sheen-starring faith-based drama, The Vessel. Ralph Winter, a producer on the X-Men franchise, is also producing.
Howard Klausner and Jonas McCord ...
The movie is currently, and quietly, in production in Oklahoma, with Jon Voight and Robert Davi also in the cast.
Sean McNamara, who directed the faith-based hit Soul Surfer, is directing the indie drama that hails from Rawhide Pictures and producer Mark Joseph. Joseph previously produced the First Amendment documentary, No Safe Spaces, and co-executive produced the Martin Sheen-starring faith-based drama, The Vessel. Ralph Winter, a producer on the X-Men franchise, is also producing.
Howard Klausner and Jonas McCord ...
- 10/14/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Hollywood Reporter has caught wind of a new, independent Ronald Reagan biopic picking up steam and today, it’s found its director.
According to the report, it is Soul Surfer and The King’s Daughter helmer Sean McNamara that will take point on the political picture, one that’s set to recount the “40th president’s life as chronicled by a Kgb agent who was assigned to follow him during the early days of the Cold War, when the future president was vehemently anti-Communist while running the Screen Actors Guild.”
Simply titled Reagan, THR notes that Howie Klausner (Space Cowboys) is attached to the pen the script – mining material from Paul Kengor’s pair of biographies – and though there’s no mention of who will step into the Oval Office as Ronald Reagan, we understand that Disney breakout David Henrie (Wizard’s of Waverly Place) is on board to...
According to the report, it is Soul Surfer and The King’s Daughter helmer Sean McNamara that will take point on the political picture, one that’s set to recount the “40th president’s life as chronicled by a Kgb agent who was assigned to follow him during the early days of the Cold War, when the future president was vehemently anti-Communist while running the Screen Actors Guild.”
Simply titled Reagan, THR notes that Howie Klausner (Space Cowboys) is attached to the pen the script – mining material from Paul Kengor’s pair of biographies – and though there’s no mention of who will step into the Oval Office as Ronald Reagan, we understand that Disney breakout David Henrie (Wizard’s of Waverly Place) is on board to...
- 8/23/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
A biopic of Ronald Reagan that will take him from teenager to his presidency has found its director in Sean McNamara, who helmed 2011's Soul Surfer and recently finished The King’s Daughter with Pierce Brosnan and William Hurt. The independent movie, dubbed Reagan, is written by Howie Klausner, who wrote Space Cowboys for Clint Eastwood in 2000. The filmmakers have yet to cast President Reagan, but as a young man he’ll be played by David Henrie, best known as the Disney Channel star of Wizards of Waverly Place opposite Selena Gomez. Robert Davi, best known for his work in Goonies,
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- 8/23/2016
- by Paul Bond
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A rival sequel to 1981 Best Picture winner "Chariots of Fire" is in the works it seems according to THR.
The original 'Chariots' followed the friendship between Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian runner whose refused to compete on Sundays, and British Olympian Harold Abrahams who endured anti-Semitism. Both ran in the 1924 Olympics.
A while back came word of "The Last Race," a follow-up of sorts with Joseph Fiennes starring as Liddell and the film being a primarily Chinese production. Stephen Shin will co-direct the film which will downplay Liddell's religious beliefs.
Now comes word of "Absolute Surrender," a $20 million independent film which will explore how the Chinese-born Liddell returns to China after the Olympics to follow in the footsteps of his Christian missionary parents.
He also raced sporadically in China and ultimately ended up dying in a Japanese prisoner of war camp in 1945. Eric Eichinger and Howard Klausner are co-writing...
The original 'Chariots' followed the friendship between Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian runner whose refused to compete on Sundays, and British Olympian Harold Abrahams who endured anti-Semitism. Both ran in the 1924 Olympics.
A while back came word of "The Last Race," a follow-up of sorts with Joseph Fiennes starring as Liddell and the film being a primarily Chinese production. Stephen Shin will co-direct the film which will downplay Liddell's religious beliefs.
Now comes word of "Absolute Surrender," a $20 million independent film which will explore how the Chinese-born Liddell returns to China after the Olympics to follow in the footsteps of his Christian missionary parents.
He also raced sporadically in China and ultimately ended up dying in a Japanese prisoner of war camp in 1945. Eric Eichinger and Howard Klausner are co-writing...
- 8/17/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Dangerous Odds
"The Wolf of Wall Street" actress Margot Robbie is poised to play Marisa Lankester in the upcoming "Dangerous Odds" which Andrea Berloff is adapting the script for.
Lankester is a young woman who became an insider atop the largest illegal sports betting organization in the U.S., she eventually became a victim of this dangerous world of corruption and ultimately escaped to now live in Switzerland. [Source: Deadline]
Ben-Hur
Moises Arias ("The Kings of Summer") has joined the cast of Timur Bekmambetov's historical epic "Ben-Hur" at MGM and Paramount Pictures. Jack Huston, Morgan Freeman, and Toby Kebbell also star in the film which begins shooting shortly in Europe.
Arias will play Gestas, a teenage Jewish zealot whose family has been murdered by the Romans, who is desperate to fight for his people’s freedom. [Source: THR]
Reagan
David Henrie ("The Wizards of Waverley Place") is set to play a young Ronald Reagan...
"The Wolf of Wall Street" actress Margot Robbie is poised to play Marisa Lankester in the upcoming "Dangerous Odds" which Andrea Berloff is adapting the script for.
Lankester is a young woman who became an insider atop the largest illegal sports betting organization in the U.S., she eventually became a victim of this dangerous world of corruption and ultimately escaped to now live in Switzerland. [Source: Deadline]
Ben-Hur
Moises Arias ("The Kings of Summer") has joined the cast of Timur Bekmambetov's historical epic "Ben-Hur" at MGM and Paramount Pictures. Jack Huston, Morgan Freeman, and Toby Kebbell also star in the film which begins shooting shortly in Europe.
Arias will play Gestas, a teenage Jewish zealot whose family has been murdered by the Romans, who is desperate to fight for his people’s freedom. [Source: THR]
Reagan
David Henrie ("The Wizards of Waverley Place") is set to play a young Ronald Reagan...
- 1/22/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
I know that you were waiting with bated breath to find out who would play Ronald Reagan in the upcoming (and cleverly titled) Reagan, so I shall keep you in suspense no longer. Ronald Reagan will be played by…David Henrie!
Who is David Henrie, you ask? I am not really sure, but some of the younger crowd among us might know. Henrie is a Disney star, apparently, renowned for his roles on Wizards of Waverly Place and That’s So Raven. The slightly older members of the TV-going community might know him from How I Met Your Mother, on which he played the role of the son. Now he’s going to take on the part of a young Ronnie Reagan, back when he was a bad actor and stern anti-communist.
Reagan will be told from the perspective of a Kgb agent keeping tabs on our man Ronald in...
Who is David Henrie, you ask? I am not really sure, but some of the younger crowd among us might know. Henrie is a Disney star, apparently, renowned for his roles on Wizards of Waverly Place and That’s So Raven. The slightly older members of the TV-going community might know him from How I Met Your Mother, on which he played the role of the son. Now he’s going to take on the part of a young Ronnie Reagan, back when he was a bad actor and stern anti-communist.
Reagan will be told from the perspective of a Kgb agent keeping tabs on our man Ronald in...
- 1/21/2015
- by Lauren Humphries-Brooks
- We Got This Covered
Ronald Reagan has been portrayed plenty over the decades, but this year seems to be especially hot for the actor-turned-politician. He is reportedly an actual character in the second season of the Fargo TV series, and now there’s an update on an upcoming biopic about the world leader way before becoming the President of the United States. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie will focus on Reagan’s early years as an actor, through his time as the head of the Screen Actors Guild. That presumably covers the 1940s and 1950s, including his divorce from Jane Wyman and meeting and marriage to Nancy (Davis), but the actor just cast for the lead role in the movie is former Disney Channel star David Henrie (The Wizards of Waverly Place), and he’s only 25. Reagan turned 25 in 1936, a year before he even made his first film appearance in Love is On the Air. More...
- 1/21/2015
- by Christopher Campbell
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Former Disney star David Henrie will play Ronald Reagan in an upcoming biopic.
The Wizards of Waverly Place star will take on the role of the late president of the United States in Reagan, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Henrie will play a young Reagan in the film told from the point of view of a Kgb officer who kept a close eye on the man throughout his career.
Reagan was an actor and later SAG president before he became Us president, and was known for being a staunch anti-communist.
Space Cowboys writer Howard Klausner is adapting two biographies by Paul Kengor.
Henrie also featured in How I Met Your Mother.
Reagan will be portrayed in the upcoming second season of Fargo as well.
The Wizards of Waverly Place star will take on the role of the late president of the United States in Reagan, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Henrie will play a young Reagan in the film told from the point of view of a Kgb officer who kept a close eye on the man throughout his career.
Reagan was an actor and later SAG president before he became Us president, and was known for being a staunch anti-communist.
Space Cowboys writer Howard Klausner is adapting two biographies by Paul Kengor.
Henrie also featured in How I Met Your Mother.
Reagan will be portrayed in the upcoming second season of Fargo as well.
- 1/21/2015
- Digital Spy
Exclusive: More than 31-years after the 40th President of the United States ordered an invasion of Grenada, Ronald Reagan is returning to the Caribbean Island. Grenada is one of dozens of Latin American nations included in a sweeping deal struck today at Afm between Sun Distribution Group and Manifest Film Sales to bring the Reagan biopic to the region. “We are thrilled to see such an amazing global icon finally make it to the big screen and are proud to be the Latin American distributor,” said a spokesperson for the Buenos Aires-based Sun. “We’re excited to be partnering with Sun and based on their track record, expect great things in Latin America,” added Ep Mark Joseph. Andrew Brown of Manifest negotiated the agreement for the producers.
Based on Paul Kengor’s books such as the bestselling The Crusader: Ronald Reagan And The Fall Of Communism, the pic about the...
Based on Paul Kengor’s books such as the bestselling The Crusader: Ronald Reagan And The Fall Of Communism, the pic about the...
- 11/6/2014
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline
John Malkovich is in early talks to play a Kgb operative in "Reagan," a $26 million movie about the life of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
Howard Klausner ("Space Cowboys") penned the script in which Malkovich would play veteran Russian spy Viktor Petrovich who was assigned to tail the young Reagan.
A committed anti-communist crusader, Reagan ascends from being a Hollywood actor to become the U.S. president. The film covers events from Petrovich's point of view up until the day of the attempt on Reagan's life.
Stephen Frears is currently the favourite to direct the project based on Paul Kengor's books "God and Ronald Reagan" and "The Crusader".
Source: THR...
Howard Klausner ("Space Cowboys") penned the script in which Malkovich would play veteran Russian spy Viktor Petrovich who was assigned to tail the young Reagan.
A committed anti-communist crusader, Reagan ascends from being a Hollywood actor to become the U.S. president. The film covers events from Petrovich's point of view up until the day of the attempt on Reagan's life.
Stephen Frears is currently the favourite to direct the project based on Paul Kengor's books "God and Ronald Reagan" and "The Crusader".
Source: THR...
- 5/18/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
John Malkovich is in early talks to play a Kgb operative in a movie about the life of Ronald Reagan. The role in Reagan, from a script by Howard Klausner (Space Cowboys) would see the Dangerous Liaisons star portray a Russian spy assigned to keep an eye on a young Reagan, already a committed anti-communist crusader, as he arrives in Hollywood as a wannabe actor before embarking on his journey to the U.S. presidency. Cannes Photos: Glamorous Gowns at the Fest Reagan’s story is told from the point of view of Viktor Petrovich, a veteran Kgb agent, who
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- 5/17/2014
- by Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of two forthcoming Gipper biopics to show the former president from the perspective of a Russian secret service agent
A forthcoming biopic of Ronald Reagan will tell the story of the 40th president of the United States through the eyes of the Kgb man sent to spy on him, reports Variety.
Titled Reagan, the film is being touted to buyers at the upcoming Cannes film festival. Space Cowboys writer Howard Klausner has adapted the screenplay from two books about the president, God and Ronald Reagan: A Spiritual Life, and The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism. Both are by the bestselling author Paul Kengor, who said: "I've been very pleased to see the script develop in a manner that is faithful to my books and ultimately to history."
Continue reading...
A forthcoming biopic of Ronald Reagan will tell the story of the 40th president of the United States through the eyes of the Kgb man sent to spy on him, reports Variety.
Titled Reagan, the film is being touted to buyers at the upcoming Cannes film festival. Space Cowboys writer Howard Klausner has adapted the screenplay from two books about the president, God and Ronald Reagan: A Spiritual Life, and The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism. Both are by the bestselling author Paul Kengor, who said: "I've been very pleased to see the script develop in a manner that is faithful to my books and ultimately to history."
Continue reading...
- 5/7/2014
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Manifest Films to handle international sales on biopic, which has previously secured a Us release.
The producers of biopic Reagan, about the life of the 40th Us president, have announced a foreign sales agreement for all territories outside of the Us with Manifest Film Sales, a division of Intandem Films.
According to the filmmakers, a deal for a Us release of Reagan on 3,000 screens has already been secured along with $35 million in P&A.
Manifest will commence international sales for Reagan at the Cannes Marche this month. The announcement follows the completion of the script last month.
Written by Howard Klausner (Space Cowboys), Reagan’s story is told through the eyes of veteran Kgb agent Viktor Petrovich, a composite character of Kgb agents who had closely followed Reagan since his days in Hollywood. The film follows the future president’s ascent from hometown hero in his native Dixon, Illinois, to his Hollywood life as an actor, to the...
The producers of biopic Reagan, about the life of the 40th Us president, have announced a foreign sales agreement for all territories outside of the Us with Manifest Film Sales, a division of Intandem Films.
According to the filmmakers, a deal for a Us release of Reagan on 3,000 screens has already been secured along with $35 million in P&A.
Manifest will commence international sales for Reagan at the Cannes Marche this month. The announcement follows the completion of the script last month.
Written by Howard Klausner (Space Cowboys), Reagan’s story is told through the eyes of veteran Kgb agent Viktor Petrovich, a composite character of Kgb agents who had closely followed Reagan since his days in Hollywood. The film follows the future president’s ascent from hometown hero in his native Dixon, Illinois, to his Hollywood life as an actor, to the...
- 5/6/2014
- ScreenDaily
Every celebrated president eventually gets a Hollywood close-up. Ronald Reagan, of course, had his big-screen debut long before he even imagined the White House, acting in more than 50 films before beginning his life in politics. But a long-in-the-works biopic is finally close to becoming a reality. A $25 million production from Space Cowboys screenwriter Howard Klausner, titled Reagan, will be shopped at this month’s Cannes Film Festival, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The film doesn’t have a director yet, or a cast — though Jon Voight was once in talks to play the Kgb analyst who tracks Reagan’s political ascent,...
The film doesn’t have a director yet, or a cast — though Jon Voight was once in talks to play the Kgb analyst who tracks Reagan’s political ascent,...
- 5/6/2014
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
Vision Films, a worldwide distributor of independent feature films, documentaries and music programming, has announced today that they have picked up international sales rights to The Identical, the musical drama directed by Dustin Marcellino and starring Blake Rayne, Erin Cotrell (“Love’s Long Journey”), Amanda Crew (“Crazy Kind of Love”), Brian Geraghty(“Boardwalk Empire”), Seth Green (“Dads”), Ashley Judd (“Olympus Has Fallen”), Joe Pantoliano (“The Matrix”) and Ray Liotta(“GoodFellas”).
The Identical was written by Howard Klausner, who also produced alongside Matt Russell, Joe McDougall, Coke Sams and Clio Tegel. Mark G. Mathis, Yochanan Marcellino and Matthew Dean Russell are executive producing. Vision Films represents the film internationally and will have a special screening Friday, November 8th at the Ocean Screening Room in Santa Monica at 3:00pm.
Identical twin brothers (both played by Blake Rayne) are separated at birth during the Great Depression. Their parents (Brian Geraghty, Amanda Crew...
The Identical was written by Howard Klausner, who also produced alongside Matt Russell, Joe McDougall, Coke Sams and Clio Tegel. Mark G. Mathis, Yochanan Marcellino and Matthew Dean Russell are executive producing. Vision Films represents the film internationally and will have a special screening Friday, November 8th at the Ocean Screening Room in Santa Monica at 3:00pm.
Identical twin brothers (both played by Blake Rayne) are separated at birth during the Great Depression. Their parents (Brian Geraghty, Amanda Crew...
- 11/6/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Vision Films has picked up international sales rights to The Identical starring Blake Rayne, Erin Cottrell, Amanda Crew, Brian Geraghty, Seth Green, Ashley Judd, Joe Pantoliano and Ray Liotta.
Dustin Marcellino directed the musical drama written by Howard Klausner, who also produced the film alongside Matt Russell, Joe McDougall, Coke Sams and Clio Tegel.
The Identical follows twin brothers separated at birth during the Great Depression whose passion for music reunites them.
Vision Films’ Afm roster includes Hans Fjellestad’s documentary Sunset Strip, which launched across digital platforms this week.n...
Dustin Marcellino directed the musical drama written by Howard Klausner, who also produced the film alongside Matt Russell, Joe McDougall, Coke Sams and Clio Tegel.
The Identical follows twin brothers separated at birth during the Great Depression whose passion for music reunites them.
Vision Films’ Afm roster includes Hans Fjellestad’s documentary Sunset Strip, which launched across digital platforms this week.n...
- 11/6/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Jon Voight is negotiating to play a pivotal role in the $35 million indie biopic "Reagan."
The story unfolds as a young Russian leader visits a retired Kgb agent named Viktor (Voight) so that he may learn of the demise of the Soviet Union. Viktor's job was to track Ronald Reagan during his presidency.
The film is based on two books by Paul Kengor and is being penned by Jonas McCord and Howie Klausner. Ralph Winter and Mark Joseph will produce.
Source: THR...
The story unfolds as a young Russian leader visits a retired Kgb agent named Viktor (Voight) so that he may learn of the demise of the Soviet Union. Viktor's job was to track Ronald Reagan during his presidency.
The film is based on two books by Paul Kengor and is being penned by Jonas McCord and Howie Klausner. Ralph Winter and Mark Joseph will produce.
Source: THR...
- 12/19/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Jon Voight is negotiating to play a pivotal role in the $35 million indie biopic "Reagan."
The story unfolds as a young Russian leader visits a retired Kgb agent named Viktor (Voight) so that he may learn of the demise of the Soviet Union. Viktor's job was to track Ronald Reagan during his presidency.
The film is based on two books by Paul Kengor and is being penned by Jonas McCord and Howie Klausner. Ralph Winter and Mark Joseph will produce.
Source: THR...
The story unfolds as a young Russian leader visits a retired Kgb agent named Viktor (Voight) so that he may learn of the demise of the Soviet Union. Viktor's job was to track Ronald Reagan during his presidency.
The film is based on two books by Paul Kengor and is being penned by Jonas McCord and Howie Klausner. Ralph Winter and Mark Joseph will produce.
Source: THR...
- 12/19/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Seth Green, Ashley Judd, Ray Liotta and Joey Pantoliano are all set to star in the period rock-themed drama "The Identical" says The Hollywood Reporter.
Music video director Dustin Marcellino makes his feature directorial debut on the film which is described as a musical fable centered around a family and told via the history of rock 'n' roll.
Howie Klausner ("Space Cowboys") penned the script for the project which spans the 1940's through the 1960's.
Liotta and Judd play the husband and wife with he also being a preacher. Green plays a drummer challenged by excesses, while Pantoliano is a music-loving garage mechanic.
Klausner, Matthew Dean Russell and Mark G. Mathis are producing. Shooting began this week in Nashville.
Music video director Dustin Marcellino makes his feature directorial debut on the film which is described as a musical fable centered around a family and told via the history of rock 'n' roll.
Howie Klausner ("Space Cowboys") penned the script for the project which spans the 1940's through the 1960's.
Liotta and Judd play the husband and wife with he also being a preacher. Green plays a drummer challenged by excesses, while Pantoliano is a music-loving garage mechanic.
Klausner, Matthew Dean Russell and Mark G. Mathis are producing. Shooting began this week in Nashville.
- 10/3/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
• Seth Green is joining Ashley Judd, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pantoliano in The Identical, an indie drama that traces the history of rock-and-roll from the 1940s through the 1960s through the prism of a single family, with Liotta and Judd as the father and mother, and Green as a drummer who falls into the classic indulgences of an American rock star. Music video director Dustin Marcellino is making his feature debut with the film, from a script by Howie Klausner (Space Cowboys). [Variety, THR]
• Aubrey Plaza, Topher Grace, Anthony Mackie, Giovanni Ribisi and Philip Baker Hall are all likely to join Chris Evans...
• Aubrey Plaza, Topher Grace, Anthony Mackie, Giovanni Ribisi and Philip Baker Hall are all likely to join Chris Evans...
- 10/3/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside Movies
Seth Green has spent the bulk of his career on television, taking part in shows like Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Greg The Bunny, Family Guy and Robot Chicken, but he has also had his fair share of movies roles and has signed on to take another. The actor has lined up to star in the new rock .n roll drama The Identical, which already has Ashley Judd, Ray Liotta and Joe Pantoliano attached. Variety says that Green will be playing a drummer .challenged by excesses of wine, women and song.. Dustin Marcellino will be making his directorial debut with the film, which was written by Howie Klausner (Space Cowboys). The trade doesn.t say what roles Judd, Liotta or Pantoliano will be playing. Said Green in a statement about the casting news, .I'm really excited to be working with this whole group. Looks like my teenage band practices are finally...
- 10/2/2012
- cinemablend.com
Seth Green, Ashley Judd, Ray Liotta and Joey Pantoliano are starring in The Identical, a rock-themed drama that marks the directorial debut of music video director Dustin Marcellino. Shooting began this week in Nashville. Howie Klausner, whose credits include 2000’s Space Cowboys, write the script for the feature and is producing with Matthew Dean Russell and Mark G. Mathis. The movie is described as a musical fable centered around a family and told via the history of rock 'n' roll. Green plays a drummer challenged by excesses of wine, women and song, while Liotta is the family’s patriarch and
read more...
read more...
- 10/2/2012
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Seth Green has signed on to headline the indie drama The Identical . Variety reports that the Austin Powers and "Family Guy" star will join Ashley Judd, Ray Liotta and Joe Pantoliano in the Dustin Marcellino film. Howie Klausner ( Space Cowboys , The Last Ride ) is providing the screenplay, which follows a rock and roll drummer trying to resist temptation. Production on The Identical is beginning immediately with Mark G. Mathis and Matthew Dean Russell producing and Yochanan Marcellino executive producing. (Photo Credit: FayesVision / Dominic Chan / Pnp / Nikki Nelson / WENN.com)...
- 10/2/2012
- Comingsoon.net
Forgiveness can set you free. This is the message instilled upon us in the religious drama, The Grace Card. Directed by David Evans and written by Howard Klausner, the film follows the lives of two men, as they become intertwined through the grace of God.
Bill “Mac” McDonald lost his faith a long time ago. After a terrible tragedy took the life of his first son, Mac became so bitter, racist and self-loathing that he shut out his family, and the world. He turned to the police force, becoming a cop in the hopes of preventing future tragedies like the one he experienced. Mac’s remaining son, Blake, is a bit of a delinquent. He’s flunking his senior year of high school, doing drugs and sneaking out at night, not to mention disrespecting his parents. For as long as Blake can remember, his father has laid the blame for...
Bill “Mac” McDonald lost his faith a long time ago. After a terrible tragedy took the life of his first son, Mac became so bitter, racist and self-loathing that he shut out his family, and the world. He turned to the police force, becoming a cop in the hopes of preventing future tragedies like the one he experienced. Mac’s remaining son, Blake, is a bit of a delinquent. He’s flunking his senior year of high school, doing drugs and sneaking out at night, not to mention disrespecting his parents. For as long as Blake can remember, his father has laid the blame for...
- 8/22/2011
- by Melissa Kovner
- JustPressPlay.net
Reviewed by James Scarborough
(February 2011)
Directed by: David G. Evans
Written by: Howard Klausner
Starring: Michael Joiner, Michael Higgenbottom and Louis Gossett Jr.
“Grace Card” is a faith-based story directed by David G. Evans of Graceworks Pictures, whose stated mission is to “produce excellent films about God’s love in the real world.” The film recounts the story of a man who roils against God and his fellow man for 17 years after his young son’s death, and its message is unmistakable: Forgive so you will be forgiven. Its characters elicit our compassion; its resolution, though expected given the nature of the enterprise, consoles us. Though this message movie targets a specific audience, viewers outside that demographic can appreciate the sentiments it contains.
Purgatory begins for Mac McDonald (Michael Joiner) in the film’s first few moments when he witnesses the death of his son, killed by a drug dealer...
(February 2011)
Directed by: David G. Evans
Written by: Howard Klausner
Starring: Michael Joiner, Michael Higgenbottom and Louis Gossett Jr.
“Grace Card” is a faith-based story directed by David G. Evans of Graceworks Pictures, whose stated mission is to “produce excellent films about God’s love in the real world.” The film recounts the story of a man who roils against God and his fellow man for 17 years after his young son’s death, and its message is unmistakable: Forgive so you will be forgiven. Its characters elicit our compassion; its resolution, though expected given the nature of the enterprise, consoles us. Though this message movie targets a specific audience, viewers outside that demographic can appreciate the sentiments it contains.
Purgatory begins for Mac McDonald (Michael Joiner) in the film’s first few moments when he witnesses the death of his son, killed by a drug dealer...
- 2/21/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Reviewed by James Scarborough
(February 2011)
Directed by: David G. Evans
Written by: Howard Klausner
Starring: Michael Joiner, Michael Higgenbottom and Louis Gossett Jr.
“Grace Card” is a faith-based story directed by David G. Evans of Graceworks Pictures, whose stated mission is to “produce excellent films about God’s love in the real world.” The film recounts the story of a man who roils against God and his fellow man for 17 years after his young son’s death, and its message is unmistakable: Forgive so you will be forgiven. Its characters elicit our compassion; its resolution, though expected given the nature of the enterprise, consoles us. Though this message movie targets a specific audience, viewers outside that demographic can appreciate the sentiments it contains.
Purgatory begins for Mac McDonald (Michael Joiner) in the film’s first few moments when he witnesses the death of his son, killed by a drug dealer...
(February 2011)
Directed by: David G. Evans
Written by: Howard Klausner
Starring: Michael Joiner, Michael Higgenbottom and Louis Gossett Jr.
“Grace Card” is a faith-based story directed by David G. Evans of Graceworks Pictures, whose stated mission is to “produce excellent films about God’s love in the real world.” The film recounts the story of a man who roils against God and his fellow man for 17 years after his young son’s death, and its message is unmistakable: Forgive so you will be forgiven. Its characters elicit our compassion; its resolution, though expected given the nature of the enterprise, consoles us. Though this message movie targets a specific audience, viewers outside that demographic can appreciate the sentiments it contains.
Purgatory begins for Mac McDonald (Michael Joiner) in the film’s first few moments when he witnesses the death of his son, killed by a drug dealer...
- 2/21/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
David G. Evans' The Grace Card talks change. We have the trailer for the Samuel Goldwyn Films drama which is helmed by Evans from the writing by Howard A. Klausner. The film which opens on February 25th. The talented cast includes Michael Joiner, Michael Higgenbottom, Louis Gossett Jr., Joy Moore, Dawntoya Thomason, Rob Erickson and Cindy Hodge. Everything can change in an instant ... and take a lifetime to unravel. When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God ... and everyone else. Can Mac and his new patrol partner, Sgt. Sam Wright, somehow join forces to help one...
- 1/12/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
David G. Evans' The Grace Card talks change. We have the trailer for the Samuel Goldwyn Films drama which is helmed by Evans from the writing by Howard A. Klausner. The film which opens on February 25th. The talented cast includes Michael Joiner, Michael Higgenbottom, Louis Gossett Jr., Joy Moore, Dawntoya Thomason, Rob Erickson and Cindy Hodge. Everything can change in an instant ... and take a lifetime to unravel. When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God ... and everyone else. Can Mac and his new patrol partner, Sgt. Sam Wright, somehow join forces to help one...
- 1/12/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Following Brian De Palma bravely into outer space, Clint Eastwood has come up with a sometimes entertaining but, more often than not, awkward comic drama that can't quite get a handle on its own intentions. While Eastwood's "Space Cowboys" does achieve liftoff, unlike De Palma's "Mission to Mars", which ignobly crashed and burned, one gets the feeling space movies suit neither filmmaker's style or temperament.
What may puzzle many is the degree of sentimentality the actor-director lavishes on his heroes, which may have something to do with age. For in "Space", a geriatric version of "Armageddon", he treats us to scene after scene that kids or dramatizes the fact that he and his co-stars -- Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland and James Garner -- are no longer youngsters.
The film is very much tailored for these veteran actors, and, naturally, the old guys have ample opportunity to show the movie's young hotshots a thing or two. But what will Eastwood's loyal fans think of him as a senior citizen? And how will younger audiences respond to a movie whose heroes are all candidates for the retirement home? Warner Bros. has a tough sell on its hands.
In a disorienting black-and-white prologue, set in 1958, the movie introduces most of the film's main characters as their early selves, all played by young performers but given voice by the older actors. The personalities and conflicts are established among Team Daedalus, a group of Air Force test pilots pushing the envelope on America's most experimental jet aircraft. When NASA abruptly takes over the space program, their jobs are terminated by an obnoxious officer and -- salting the wounds -- a chimpanzee is designated the nation's first astronaut.
Cut to present day, where the officer, now a NASA bureaucrat (James Cromwell), must reluctantly reassemble Team Daedalus for a priority mission. An old Soviet satellite has failed, and for reasons kept deliberately vague, it is crucial to the United States and Russia that its antiquated guidance system gets repaired. Oddly enough -- and again vagueness will pay off at the climax -- its guidance system is identical to the one designed by Eastwood's character for a now obsolete American satellite. And he is the only Man Alive who knows how to repair the damn thing.
Most of the movie's midsection is taken up with old hostilities -- between Eastwood and Jones and between Cromwell and the entire Team Daedalus -- along with endless age jokes. The oldsters train alongside young-stud astronauts but find ways to outperform -- or at least outthink -- the kids.
This section also contains a strong contender for this year's most unnecessary scene -- the four old guys shot Buck Naked from the back getting a short-arm inspection by a female doctor. An even greater clinker in Ken Kaufman and Howard Klausner's screenplay bestows inoperable cancer on Jones, which sets him up for a noble sacrifice in space.
"Space"'s elegiac lament for departed youth, a staple theme of many westerns, fits strangely with the movie's futuristic space hardware and techno-lingo. And Eastwood's directing style is something of a throwback to science fiction of the 1950s.
Having learned much of his trim, suspenseful craftsmanship from his "Dirty Harry" director, Don Siegel, Eastwood takes a no-nonsense approach to outer space. It's just another lonesome prairie to him. Thus, his outer space has none of the touchy-feely mysticism of "Star Trek", the hip B-movie thrills of "Star Wars" or the space opera grandeur of "2001: A Space Odyssey".
Younger viewers may be mystified by such laconic characters and stripped-bare efficiency in a space movie. But it's refreshing to see a movie refuse to treat the nuts and bolts of space travel with awe. And as with most of his films, Eastwood's actors deliver clipped, on-target performances that resonate without muss or fuss.
Eastwood's longtime collaborators -- camerman Jack Green, designer Henry Bumstead, editor Joel Cox and composer Lennie Niehaus -- support him with their usual all-pro work.
SPACE COWBOYS
Warner Bros.
In association with
Village Roadshow Pictures/Clipsal Film
A Malpaso and Mad Chance production
Producers: Clint Eastwood, Andrew Lazar
Director: Clint Eastwood
Screenwriters: Ken Kaufman & Howard Klausner
Executive producer: Tom Rooker
Director of photography: Jack N. Green
Production designer: Henry Bumstead
Music: Lennie Niehaus
Costume designer: Deborah Hopper
Editor: Joel Cox
Color/stereo
Cast:
Frank Corvin: Clint Eastwood
Hawk Hawkins: Tommy Lee Jones
Jerry O'Neil: Donald Sutherland
Tank Sullivan: James Garner
Ethan Glance: Loren Dean
Roger Hines: Courtney B. Vance
Sara Holland: Marcia Gay Harden
Bob Gerson: James Cromwell
Eugene Davis: William Devane
Running time - 130 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
What may puzzle many is the degree of sentimentality the actor-director lavishes on his heroes, which may have something to do with age. For in "Space", a geriatric version of "Armageddon", he treats us to scene after scene that kids or dramatizes the fact that he and his co-stars -- Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland and James Garner -- are no longer youngsters.
The film is very much tailored for these veteran actors, and, naturally, the old guys have ample opportunity to show the movie's young hotshots a thing or two. But what will Eastwood's loyal fans think of him as a senior citizen? And how will younger audiences respond to a movie whose heroes are all candidates for the retirement home? Warner Bros. has a tough sell on its hands.
In a disorienting black-and-white prologue, set in 1958, the movie introduces most of the film's main characters as their early selves, all played by young performers but given voice by the older actors. The personalities and conflicts are established among Team Daedalus, a group of Air Force test pilots pushing the envelope on America's most experimental jet aircraft. When NASA abruptly takes over the space program, their jobs are terminated by an obnoxious officer and -- salting the wounds -- a chimpanzee is designated the nation's first astronaut.
Cut to present day, where the officer, now a NASA bureaucrat (James Cromwell), must reluctantly reassemble Team Daedalus for a priority mission. An old Soviet satellite has failed, and for reasons kept deliberately vague, it is crucial to the United States and Russia that its antiquated guidance system gets repaired. Oddly enough -- and again vagueness will pay off at the climax -- its guidance system is identical to the one designed by Eastwood's character for a now obsolete American satellite. And he is the only Man Alive who knows how to repair the damn thing.
Most of the movie's midsection is taken up with old hostilities -- between Eastwood and Jones and between Cromwell and the entire Team Daedalus -- along with endless age jokes. The oldsters train alongside young-stud astronauts but find ways to outperform -- or at least outthink -- the kids.
This section also contains a strong contender for this year's most unnecessary scene -- the four old guys shot Buck Naked from the back getting a short-arm inspection by a female doctor. An even greater clinker in Ken Kaufman and Howard Klausner's screenplay bestows inoperable cancer on Jones, which sets him up for a noble sacrifice in space.
"Space"'s elegiac lament for departed youth, a staple theme of many westerns, fits strangely with the movie's futuristic space hardware and techno-lingo. And Eastwood's directing style is something of a throwback to science fiction of the 1950s.
Having learned much of his trim, suspenseful craftsmanship from his "Dirty Harry" director, Don Siegel, Eastwood takes a no-nonsense approach to outer space. It's just another lonesome prairie to him. Thus, his outer space has none of the touchy-feely mysticism of "Star Trek", the hip B-movie thrills of "Star Wars" or the space opera grandeur of "2001: A Space Odyssey".
Younger viewers may be mystified by such laconic characters and stripped-bare efficiency in a space movie. But it's refreshing to see a movie refuse to treat the nuts and bolts of space travel with awe. And as with most of his films, Eastwood's actors deliver clipped, on-target performances that resonate without muss or fuss.
Eastwood's longtime collaborators -- camerman Jack Green, designer Henry Bumstead, editor Joel Cox and composer Lennie Niehaus -- support him with their usual all-pro work.
SPACE COWBOYS
Warner Bros.
In association with
Village Roadshow Pictures/Clipsal Film
A Malpaso and Mad Chance production
Producers: Clint Eastwood, Andrew Lazar
Director: Clint Eastwood
Screenwriters: Ken Kaufman & Howard Klausner
Executive producer: Tom Rooker
Director of photography: Jack N. Green
Production designer: Henry Bumstead
Music: Lennie Niehaus
Costume designer: Deborah Hopper
Editor: Joel Cox
Color/stereo
Cast:
Frank Corvin: Clint Eastwood
Hawk Hawkins: Tommy Lee Jones
Jerry O'Neil: Donald Sutherland
Tank Sullivan: James Garner
Ethan Glance: Loren Dean
Roger Hines: Courtney B. Vance
Sara Holland: Marcia Gay Harden
Bob Gerson: James Cromwell
Eugene Davis: William Devane
Running time - 130 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 7/31/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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