Saturday, March 25, 2017

Thoughts on "The Post" script and casting

The Post is currently in pre-production, with filming scheduled to begin sometime around late May.  Back in January, when I had posted about my interest in having Meryl star in this film, I of course couldn't help picture her in the role of Kay Graham.  Now that it's actually happening, I obviously had to reread the script.  In doing so, I was more interested in paying close attention to the story and Meryl's character, but now that I look back, I should've also been thinking about who might fit the other roles.

This picture, despite having its two leads (Meryl of course and Tom Hanks as Ben Bradlee), will very much be an ensemble piece.  There are multiple characters with a fair amount of screen time, so I'd like to throw out a few ideas on who might fit the bill for portrayals.  I have to admit that not very many names popped into my mind while reading the script, but I'll try to joggle my brain a bit to come up with a few actors.  Hopefully readers of this post will be willing to offer their suggestions as well.  It'll be fun to see if we get any right as casting is revealed over the coming weeks.

We of course know that Tom Hanks is portraying Bradlee, but for whatever reason I kept picturing Russell Crowe in the role while reading.  It would not surprise me if the role of Lally, Kay's daughter, were given to Grace Gummer.  Lally is a decent-sized role, and following Streep's recent work with her daughter Mamie in Ricki and the Flash, it would be a great opportunity for Meryl to actually have dialogue in a scene with her daughter Grace.  The two both shared a scene in The Homesman a few years ago, but really no interaction.  Grace was also cast by Tom Hanks in his film Larry Crowne (2011), a connection that may casting her seem less nepotistic.  The one hurdle for Grace's participation may be a scheduling conflict, as season 3 of Mr. Robot evidently begins shooting in April.

Ok, so who are the other characters?  I'm only going to list a few more because there are too many to go through.  A juicy supporting role might turn out being that of Daniel Ellsberg, the military analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers to The New York Times.  Ellsberg would have been around 40 years old at the time.  Ben Bagdikian, an Armenian-American and Washington Post journalist, to whom Ellsberg gave potions of the Papers is also a fairly large supporting character. He would have been around 50 at the time (an incidentally just passed away last year).  Hanks's character's wife Tony (Antoinette) could be nice bit part for an actress in her late 40s or early 50s.

Beyond that, there are several older male characters that serve on the board of The Washington Post, the most prominent among them being Frederick "Fritz" Beebe, in his 60s at the time.  A handful of minor characters who would portray Post employees will see a fair amount of screen time as well, as they're regularly working alongside Bradlee.

Here's where I need some help from you guys.  My mind is sort of overwhelmed with the number of cast members so I'm struggling to nail down possibilities.  For Ellsberg, maybe Edward Norton?  For Bagdikian, Ralph Fiennes or Mark Rylance?  Maybe Spielberg will cast Rylance because he's pushing back their collaboration in The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara.  It's anyone's guess who will play Tony.  Sharon Stone?

Chime in, please.

11 comments:

  1. Where can one read the script?- Jamie

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    1. Jamie, I joined the Tracking Board after the Black List was revealed in December and gained access to many scripts.
      http://www.tracking-board.com/

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    2. It would be great to see Stone in a decent role, she's been sadly sidelined for years. Elizabeth Shue? Nicole?

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    3. Good call on Elizabeth Shue. It think it would be way too small of a part for Nicole to sign on.

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  2. Michelle Pheiffer is another great actress who lost her leading lady status over the years. Or Jodie Foster?

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  3. Oh wow Michelle Pfeiffer would be great in the wife's role. Michael Fassbender as Daniel? He's intense! Uh...please no Mamie or Grace...I find them utterly bland (newsroom, mr robot,etc)...severely lacking in charisma (sorry no offence Meryl if you're reading this). I can't wait for them to film this and get the first look at Meryl. David.

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    1. Would love Pfeiffer but just don't picture her choosing this. Maybe Fassbender. What I think is most likely to happen is that other than Streep and Hanks the rest of the roles are going to be much less high-profile actors. Probably not complete unknowns, but more obscure. I'm excited to find out soon!

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  4. Can you talk about the character of Kay Graham,is it a good role? I mean,do you think meryl can get another oscar nomination for this role?

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    1. I certainly can, and yes, it is a good role. She's in her late 50's and the publisher of The Washington Post. She stuggles a bit with her role, as it was previously her father's then her husband's before his death. Her editor, Ben Bradlee tends to think she doesn't have what it takes to make tough decisions, but Kay sort of "finds her voice" when the going gets tough. It's an interesting contrast for Meryl, as Kay at the time is probably not what most would consider a feminist. She up to this point has been more of a "glad-hander" and has been able to leave the big business decisions to others.

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  5. but, do you think this is the type role that will get Meryl another oscar nomination?

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    1. Oops, I forgot to answer that. Yes, definitely. Particularly with the predigree of the director and her co-star. Couple that with how contemporary the message will be despite its 70's setting, and I think she'll have an excellent chance for a nom...on paper.

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