07.13.08
W’s Amusing Publicity Stunt
From drunken loser to prominent loser in just a few simple steps.
Another twist in the ongoing saga that is the “W” production which began in May, co-stars Josh Brolin (who will be playing President George Bush) and Jeffrey Wright (who will be playing Colin Powell) and four others were arrested just after 2am on Saturday morning because of a disruptive bar fight, at the Stray Cat bar, a Shreveport nightlife hotspot. Publicity of the film, especially its reported woes and blogger-created negative hype, has been pretty high thus far and one has to wonder if the incident has nothing to do with easy publicity or, perhaps this is stretching, insanely exaggerated method acting.
“Workers at the Stray Cat Bar tell KSLA News 12 they asked Brolin, his co-star Jeffrey Wright, and about five other crew members to leave the bar twice. When they didn’t leave, they say bartenders called downtown police who responded just after two in the morning.” [KLSA] Needless to say, this is by far the closest thing to Bush or Powell being brought to justice that we will ever see.
That KLSA article goes on further to say, “A man who works the graveyard shift at a nearby downtown business says he saw most of the incident, where he claims there were at least four police cars and several bicycle police on scene.” For a drunken brawl? That just seems like overdoing it a bit if you ask me.
“Detective Rod Demery, working as Shreveport Police Department public information officer over the weekend, said sending officers to handle unruly bar patrons isn’t unusual.” He then goes on further to say that the unusual aspect of this particular incident has been the publicity. [The Shreveport Times] Unusual? Perhaps, maybe that’s because it was intentional? Or it was just, you know, just another bar fight.
Stone has been reported as saying that the film will be “a fair, true portrait of the man [George Bush]. How did Bush go from being an alcoholic bum to the most powerful figure in the world?” I’d say being arrested for a drunken bar fight most definitely lays the foundation for Brolin’s transformation into the maligned public figure that is Bush. Where he goes from here will be particularly interesting. I was not all that interested in the project beforehand, but I am now. The power of [bad] publicity never ceases to amaze.
Justin said,
July 13, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Interesting take Nick, about the publicity aspect of this. Method acting…I bet that is not even stretching it all that far.
David Schneider said,
July 13, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I think they might consider a better make-up artist.Looks like Harrison Ford in a funhouse mirror instead of Bush.
Also why didn’t anyone have the balls to do this movie 3 years ago?
Rick Ryan said,
July 13, 2008 at 4:15 pm
This latest project from Stone has ” magnificent train wreck” written all over it.. The sound and fury that will accompany the eventual release of this film will be breathtaking. I’m so looking forward to it.
Nick Plowman said,
July 13, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Just – Yup…
David – The more I look at the pic, the more unrealistic it looks. And on your second point; wish I knew.
Rick – That is the same reason I am looking forward to it actually! Can’t wait.
J.D. said,
July 14, 2008 at 2:01 pm
How do we even know this film is being made? That’s my question.
Kerry said,
July 14, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Thinking about this movie just makes me want to puke.
Alison Flynn said,
July 14, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I’m definitely behind the “method acting” theory. It’s the first thing I thought of when I saw the headline for this news.
As much as I adore Josh Brolin, I also like Kerry hate the idea of this movie. George W. doesn’t deserve to be remembered as anything other than the worst U.S. president that ever was and ever will be. Making a film about him before he’s even out of office is a really bad idea in my obstinate opinion.
How do we even know this film is being made? That’s my question.
Now that’s an interesting point, J.D.
J.D. said,
July 14, 2008 at 8:03 pm
We must not forget that OLIVER STONE is directing this (if it indeed exists), so it can’t be too positive.
Nick Plowman said,
July 15, 2008 at 11:31 am
No, J.D. it cannot be too positive, that’s why I am not really into the idea of watching the movie, but I am interested in watching the making of it. I want to see it burst into flames. I just want to witness the DRAMA of the production. You know?
Rick Olson said,
July 15, 2008 at 6:06 pm
“From drunken loser to prominent loser . . . ”
Which one’s which?
Don’t hate us for our president …
Nick Plowman said,
July 16, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I would never hate you for your president. Hell I don’t even hate your president, he makes me laugh to much to warrant actual hate. I feel sorry for the guy.