Hey folks, Harry here... and boy, seems like ol Wolfgang Peterson has stirred up a hornet's nest of angry British press over his claiming that there are no British actors on the 'larger than life' scale of Mel Gibson or Russell Crowe in terms of filling the boots of Ernest Shackleton. Though I believe technically what Wolfgang was getting at was not only the 'larger than life' quality... but both of these gents have a certain rough and tumble been through hell and back look to them... that someone like Branagh doesn't quite have. Now, Liam Neeson might be able to pull it off... but, there is another quality that Mel and Russell have that Liam doesn't... and that is BOX OFFICE STARDOM AND ROMANTIC MAINSTREAM APPEAL. Sure, ENDURANCE doesn't have a romance, but the audience (read both male and female) need to fall (thump thump) in love with Shackleton so that they care... and the audience is... from the get go... in love with these two. And if I could have my pick... it would be Russell Crowe. I adore Mel Gibson in film... but right now... there is something magical about Russell Crowe on film. And with a story as powerful as this one... that could be amazing. Though I have to say, I'm incredibly disappointed that Russell doesn't seem to be doing FLORA PLUM with Jodie Foster directing, anymore. I wanted to see Russell as the dogface boy something fierce. Oh well... perhaps later...
GREAT SAILING STARFISH IN THE MORNING!!!! Possibly Russell Crowe for the part. Back in December of 1997, Wolfgang Peterson was screwing around with a script for a story about the Endurance, commanded by Ernest Shackleton. (Tried to sail to the antartic, stuck in a glacier for months, everyone gets out alive).
Apparently, the brits have their knickers in a knot about it too. Well tough! Crowe could easily carry the part. He's tough enough, "grizzled" enough and for cryin' out loud, he even LOOKS like Shackleton. Check out the story below:
BRITISH STARS FROZEN OUT OF HEROIC ROLE AS SHACKLETON
By Henry Fitzherbert and York Membery
Sunday Express, November 19, 2000
LEGENDARY British explorer Ernest Shackleton will not be played by a British actor in a new Hollywood movie - because its German director claims there is no UK star big enough for the role.
Wolfgang Petersen, who made this summer's blockbuster, A Perfect Storm, wants to cast Mel Gibson or Russell Crowe in the $100m movie, Endurance, due to start shooting next year. This has angered both historians and the British actors' union, Equity.
Speaking to The Sunday Express from Los Angeles on wanting Gibson or Crowe, Peterson said "there are no British actors of their stature around at the moment".
It is a claim likely to offend British talents such as Jude Law, Ewan McGregor and Daniel Day-Lewis. And it astonished Equity spokesman, Martin Brown. "What an amazing thing to say," he said. "Most of the world views the UK as blessed with a wealth of fantastic acting talent."
The film will portray Shackle-ton's doomed second voyage to the Antarctic in 1914 when his ship, Endurance, became trapped by ice and drifted helplessly for nine months before being crushed 200 miles from land. Shackleton led his men to Elephant Island from where he made an 800-mile voyage in a 22ft boat through some of the stormiest seas in the world to reach South Georgia.
Peterson whose Perfect Storm can be bought on VHS and DVD from Warner Home Video on November 27, said: "There are some fine British actors, like Ralph Fiennes, but I just don't think there is anyone larger than life enough to fill Shackleton's shoes."
It is not the first time that home-grown talent has been sidelined in Hollywood movies based on British stories. Critics were angered when the part of Robin in the blockbuster Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves was given to American actor Kevin Costner. Also considered contentious were Gwyneth Paltrow's star roles in Jane Austen's Emma, Shakespeare in Love and the romantic comedy Sliding Doors set in present day London.
Another British comedy to shun home talent is the forthcoming film based on the novel, Bridget Jones Diary, which stars Renee Zellweger who is American.
Mel Gibson courted controversy when he directed and starred in Braveheart about a Scottish warrior chieftain.
Most recently he played a Brit-hating warrior in the controversial American Revolution drama, The Patriot, which portrays the British in an unfavourable light.
Peterson admits he has discussed his Shackleton project with Gibson. "I've already had talks with Mel and he's very interested but he's a little bit afraid of the cold," he said.
He concedes that an American actor might not be convincing in the part, even though Australian-born Gibson is a naturalised American and speaks in a Los Angeles-Sydney drawl.
Historical experts are also angry about cold-shouldering British talent. "Casting someone like Gibson would be an insult to Shackleton, his family and the British acting profession," said Nigel Jones of BBC History magazine.
His concern is shared by Peter Vandermerwe, of the National Maritime Museum, which is staging an exhibition called South, about Antarctic explorers Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen. "Mel Gibson was miscast as Fletcher Christian in The Bounty" he said. "And while he'd be a competent Shackleton, I don't think he would bring much subtlety to the part. Doesn't Mel Gibson always play Mel Gibson?" "It seems a classic case of Hollywood wanting to cast a big star in a role for which he is not really suited."
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HOLY CHRIST!!! Ever since I saw Gladiator, I've been saying he should have that part, if they ever get around to making it.
-Jeffrey Smith
