Now that Hillary Clinton is on Twitter, I hope we’ll get some insight into the REAL pressing question facing this great nation: who should play Young Hillary Rodham in the new bio-pic Rodham? As we discussed last week, the candidates for “Young Hillary” are sort of all over the place. It’s said that producers have met with Scarlett Johansson (ha), Jessica Chastain (interesting), Emma Stone (huh) and Carey Mulligan. Carey was said to be the favorite, and that producers were actively trying to get her to sign on. But Carey told them to eat it. For why?
Carey Mulligan will not be stepping into Hillary Rodham Clinton’s shoes for Rodham, Temple Hill and The Arlook Group’s biopic of the former first lady, New York senator and secretary of state.
The Great Gatsby actress was being courted to play Clinton and, according to sources, was offered the role after meeting with director James Ponsoldt (The Spectacular Now) last week.
Insiders, however, say the actress, who just moved from CAA to WME, was not prepared to commit to the role.
Sources said Ponsoldt is working with Rodham’s scribe Young Il Kim on a director’s draft and he, along with producers Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen and Richard Arlook, will resume the search shortly.
Rodham centers on Clinton as a young lawyer on the committee involved in President Richard Nixon’s impeachment, and her juggling a diverging career path with her unresolved feelings for future President Bill Clinton.
Several actresses’ names have been talked about to take on the widely admired but often polarizing figure, including Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Chastain and Emma Stone.
It could just be that Carey Mulligan is having some scheduling problems or something. My first thought was actually “I wonder if she’s trying to get pregnant, so she’s keeping her schedule open” – that would make a lot of sense, right? But it could be something else – that a young English actress feels weird about playing the most famous FLOTUS/Senator/presidential-candidate/pantsuit aficionado ever. I do kind of hope that the part ends up going to an American actress. And NOT ScarJo, for the love of God. Jesus. We’re not that desperate.
I’ll say it again because I really don’t understand how her name isn’t being mentioned for this project: Anne Hathaway. SERIOUSLY. Think about it. Anne Hathaway (and her Nips of Doom, not to mention her Vadge of Oscar Campaigning) is controversial, polarizing, and she brings out strong feelings in her defenders and critics. As does Hillary, obviously. Plus, I just think that Anne bears a striking resemblance to Young Hillary. You’ve got to picture her in the wig, but can’t you see it? I see it perfectly.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Honestly? I like Hathaway as an actress (even though she gets a nails on chalkboard reaction from me when she’s out of character), but I don’t think she could pull off Hillary’s biting intellect. She doesn’t have a confident presence at all. Similarly Carey’s just too vulnerable.
Scarlett’s not a good actress (for the most part anyway), but she comes off as extremely strong-willed and confident, which is what you need to play Hillary. I don’t think either is a good choice, but I’d take Scarlett over Hathaway any day when it comes to this particular role.
I think Anne could pull it off amazingly. I love her, annoying as she may be.
ScarJo looks like she’s about to drop dead in every movie. I just can’t picture Jessica, and Emma is not good enough.
Off topic: Carey is so beautiful, isn’t she? She’s probably the most beautiful young actress in Hollywood at the moment.
Carey looks just like any other pretty girl – no real amazing beauty there. There are thousands of girls walking about just like her
Well, I’ve never seen anyone who looks like her. She’s so cute,classy and fragile. I agree, one of the most beautiful young actresses around.
I love Carey but I agree about the vulnerability aspect to her acting-I just don’t see her being able to carry the role of Hillary.
And I think Carey is somehow beautiful is a fragile, ethereal way.
I also think AnnE is really talented, regardless of her eye-rolling behavior.
Personally, I could see her pulling it off…
ScarJo = HELL NO
I don’t think she’s the best choice, but I would trust Anne more to pull off something close to HRC’s midwestern accent and natural intelligence, to be honest. Scarlett tries too hard to sound intelligent. Steely, sure, but she always seems so forced and and shallow, and her voice and accent are all kinds of wrong. I don’t believe she was ever in the running for the part, either.
Of the names mentioned, I’d take Chastain, but I’m also liking the idea of Emily Blunt or Amy Adams in the role.
Actually, I think Hathaway could pull it off.
Plus it would be a great role for her to transform her image from being some pretentious acting snob to someone with actual acting chops.
She may be annoying, but she has serious acting chops.
Hillary has brains. Really, that should be the #1 consideration when casting an actress for that part.
Some aspirational actress gushing about how much she has in common with the pantsuit-wearing Clinton during promotional interviews just won’t work. This is not a role that can burnish an actress’ credibility and gravitas – you’re going to need someone who already has it. Laura Linney is, I’m sorry to say, a bit old. Not sure who else – Angelina Jolie is too sexy. It’s a tough call.
Thanks for mentioning Laura Linney, she would be fantastic for an older Hilary! Has the intellect and acting abilities to pull Hilary of- I really would like to see her in so many more films. Maybe if there’s an epilogue showing an older Hilary?
I really see a resemblance with Mila Kunis. She’s a good actress, I feel like she could do a great job! 😀
Second that! Laura Linney would be perfect. Acting chops, brains and could be styled to look like Hilary. She’s a much better actress than the ones mentioned above. Scarlett can’t act (she’s starting to sound Biel-ish, constantly auditioning for top films and not getting in), Emma Stone is wisely sticking to films within her acting range, Chastain is too boring and I don’t think AnnE would be good at biopics. She’s more of a…fiction actress…
OMG Laura Linney…yes!!! Perhaps she’s a bit old for the role, but the intelligence of whatever actress is chosen needs to be on that level of brilliance. If Anne Hathaway gets this role, I will be so disappointed. Isn’t it a “coincidence” that this role is being timed for the next election? The political motives of the Powers that Be necessitate the need to pick someone all-around likable (like Linney), not someone like polarizing and annoying-as-hell AH. Chloe Sevigny? Dunno…
nah, I’m not a fan of the Anne choice. She’s a great actress but I dunno that I would watch it with Anne. This would be my personal preference but why not Saoirse Ronan?
Of course having said all this, I would much rather Anne get the part than Scarjo, she doesn’t have the smarts to pull it off.
Saoirse is great, but way to young.
that’s what they are looking for though, this is before she met Bill. Saoirse is 19, so she would fit the age.
edit: I get what you guys are saying, it’s just all the suggestions to me are too old. This was when she was in college right?
Yeah, but they’re looking for someone in their 20s, Saoirse is and looks like a teenager.
I really adore Saoirse, but she definitely looks too young at the moment. And she’s quite striking looking; her eyes are so vivid, I’m not sure there’s much of a resemblance there.
Also, (don’t kill me for this) – is anyone else getting a very vague Lena Dunham vibe from the side-on picture of Hilary?
I believe Scarlet already said she isn’t doing it and as for Anne? She’ll be filming Christopher Nolan’s Intersteller after her current movie I believe. I’d stick with Nolan because this Hillary movie seems like a dumb idea. It has no ending yet. What if she runs for President and you’ve already made the movie? Dumb.
OMG. Hillary is NOT BEAUTIFUL. these actresses are. None of them are viable choices!!!!!!!!!! It’s like everyone ignores the obvious here!
Was Aileen Wournous beautiful? And remember who played her in the movie? Whoever they end up choosing, her red-carpet looks won’t be the point, I promise.
Also, try yoga breaths or something, because for gripe’s sake, this is not a multiple exclamation point worthy issue.
+1
Silk Spectre, I agree with all that.
Especially Kim needing to calm the eff down and lay off the excessive punctuation.
Anyway, Kim everybody is played in a movie by a beautiful actor…how did you miss that fact? That’s what the makeup team is for. You should watch Face Off. Anyone can be made to look like anyone.
dear Kim,FYI,hillary clinton was not the contestant of a beauty paegent ,but a very strong human rights advocate ,political leader ,who unlike other so called beautiful creatures stuffin cotton balls or appearin on reality shows ,made her mark at a very young age as a political activist,human rights activist ,the point here is not lookin for a beautiful actress ,the point here is to choose actresses who will bring out Hillary’s personality and strength of character
Margaret Thatcher wasn’t beautiful; Meryl Streep is and Meryl pulled it off nicely. Now none of these actresses are in the same league as Meryl talent-wise, but with a good hair and make up person, the look can be achieved. I’d personally go with Chastain as the “smartest” of the bunch with Emily Blunt a very close second. Either of those 2 could pull it off. Hathaway wouldn’t be awful but she’s awfully whiny.
It has be someone who can accurately play a person of formidable intellect. Neither Anne or ScarJo can. I would favour Cate Blanchett, she has that quality. But she is probably too old for that period in Hillarys life that they are portraying.
Anne could pull of the intellect. ScarJo not so much. I think they should go with someone less known.
I dont agree. Anne doesnt come across as razor sharp. Hilary has a steely unapologetic quality that actually i think ScarJo would be better at. But i do agree they should go with someone unknown. This kind of part could really make some talented unknown actress. Like James Franco in Dean. Its also easier for the public to believe it if we havent been too exposed to the actress in question.
Anne could pull of the intellect. ScarJo not so much. I think they should go with someone less known.
Anne is totally wrong. Not smart or forceful enough. Anne is like the goody goody too shoes dutiful student, not the trailblazing ubersmart one.
I throw in Elizabeth Olsen or Mia Wasikowska.
Aubrey Plaza?
I second the Mia Wasikowska suggestion. Did anyone see her in the Jane Eyre from 2011 with Michael Fassbender? She was absolutely spellbinding.
A movie about Hillary? Why?
Because she’s one of the most inspirational women around?
Really? What has she inspired you to do?
@thora: she may be the woman to be the president of USA soon.She’s strong,clever and a political beast
Oh Thora if you can’t find inspiration in a person who has lived a life that Hillary Clinton has then that’s a tad sad. Even if you can’t stand her you can hardly look over her professional accomplishments and say “pttf”!
+ a million
“Women are the largest reservoir of untapped talent in the world.”
-Hilary Clinton
Damn straight.
i voted for her and i will vote for her again if given the chance but she doesnt inspire me one bit
@feebee: so what has she inspired you to do?
Well, what has anyone ever inspired you to do? She shows us that intelligence and education can go a long way and that as a woman, I am equally capable of doing anything a man could do.
Shaun Monson inspired me to become a vegetarian with his documentry Earthlings. Seeing my children’s optimism and enthusiasm for life, as well as their determination to learn and over come challenges inspires, and it’s something I often draw on when the rest of the world and my disapointment with life makes me feel like life is meaningless. Hillary Clinton like most mainstream American politicians does nothing to inspire me. I don’t find anything noble about maintaining the status quo of the ruling elite. You want a politician to look up to have a look at Nelson Mandela, who survived 27 years in prison for standing up for what he believed in and then went on to become the father of democracy in South Africa.
Thora, I agree with you 100%. And this is coming from someone who met Hilary Clinton and actually like her. She does not inspire me, even though I like her. Someone like Nelson Mandela is my inspiration or even every day grassroots activists.
I remember reading that they were seriously considering Amanda Seyfreid. Apparently, she’s really good in that Linda Lovelace film that showed at Sundance. I would love Brit Marling. WTF is with Emma Stone? I like her, but why is she getting considered for all these dramatic roles all of the sudden? People praise her for her comedy chops, but I’ve rarely seen any critic write “Emma Stone is a great actress” and she was so flat compared to everyone else in that movie with Viola Davis. It’s like Jennifer Aniston or a more talented rom com star trying to do drama. I’ll give Reese credit, she had some very good non-rom com films before she did Walk the Line…but it’s like if Reese never had her Election, Freeway, etc under her belt and all of the sudden decided to be gunning for these type of roles.
The second picture of Hillary is giving me Lena Dunham vibes.
Seeing a photo of Amy Adams in another post I could watch her in this role. I don’t think she has any physical similarities with Clintons but she’d probably make you forget about it.
Or, this actress reminds me a lot of Mulligan and if they were going for that look she’d be perfect. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2564938/?ref_=tt_cl_t4
I thought it when we first started discussing this casting and the more I think about it, the more I am pro-Annie for this role. If she can steel it up, she could kill in this.
Hathaway is incapable of “steeling it up” – all she’ll do is her usual shameless mugging and false, self-conscious line readings. She’d be a terrible Hilary Clinton.
Michelle Williams is a good suggestion, though. Even someone like Greta Gerwig or Britt Marling would be better than Hathaway.
Anne would make a perfect young Hillary. They have the same gritty personality.
What about Elizabeth Olsen? She’d have to hippie-down and get suited up, but I think she could get the look right. Too young?
THAT is a really good idea. I was thinking Allison Pill, but Olsen is a better suggestion.
She was my pick as well. I think she has the right look and certainly the acting chops.
What about Julie Delpy? She has incredibly similar features to the young photos of Hilary.
I’d love to know who Hillary sees in the role. I’m hoping for an unknown.
Thank you. I keep thinking that. None of these actresses feel right. We need an unknown on this project who has the right look and confidence. There’s no need to recast the same people over and over.
Nope. Sorry, I don’t see it. I’m trying, but I just don’t.
A writer on another site suggested Eden Sher (she plays the sister on “The Middle”). I don’t watch that show so I have no idea whether she’s a good fit or not, but I think they need to think outside the box of the same 6 actresses.
Everytime a juicy role comes up, it feels like the only actresses considered come from the same small group (Mulligan, Hathaway, Johansson, Stone, Lawrence, Williams, Chastain).
Don’t get me wrong, they’re great and I like them all, but there are roles for which NONE of them are right, and there are a lot of great actresses who haven’t yet broken out. Usually I’m annoyed when people online start shouting about more obscure actresses, but in this case they should go obscure.
that’s interesting
i dont know how old she is but i think she is great at playing a very awkward teen, very funny
ctkat1 I completely agree with all of that. None of the actresses are right for it.
Carey Mulligan’s perpetually sad pixie face is starting to get on my last nerve.
Ahhhh yes! Allison Pill would make a great Young Hillary!
Allison Pill is absolutely AWFUL on Newsroom. No way can she pull off anything like HRC.
maybe the producers arent a fan of overacting?
i dont have a problem with a non american actress in the part, if she were a tad younger, i think cate blanchett would be great in it.
Hell no. No Anne Hathaway
Too bad Kelsi Nielsen isn’t that type of actress cuz she looks like Hillary to me.
I’ve never seen Les Mis (by choice) but everything I have seen AnnE in she overdoes. She even overacts in real life. I always figured she got that Oscar because you’re SUPPOSED to overact in a musical. Vague resemblance aside, I think they need someone more serious. The right makeup team can correct almost any facial differences.
Out of the options listed, I would choose Chastain, but I don’t even think she would be right. I would go with an Elizabeth Olsen, Emily Blunt, or maybe Amanda Seyfried.
Michelle Williams. I think she would be the perfect choice. Looks the part (in a way), good solid actress, box office credibility and she’ll manage to convey Hilary’s tough intellectual vibe with sensitivity.
+1
I think this movie focuses on when she was in law school, or soon after- so that’s mid -20s. Saw an article on EW website about Abby Hoffman- she was the young girl in Sleepless in Seattle. Her resemblance to Hilary in the pic with her with long dark hair and glasses is striking. Haven’t seen her in an mature role so hard to say.
Any thoughts as to who will play young BC?
I don’t know why Carey Mulligan is even considered. I don’t get the hype over her. Jessica Chastain would be awesome. Anne Hathaway? I hope not and no I can’t see it.
I think the reason Carey dropped was not to try and get pregnant but that she is.
Rachel McAdams.
Actually, I read in The Wrap just last week that the decision was down to Carey Mulligan and Jennifer Lawrence (and always was) the other actresses (Chastain, ScarJo, already were quoted as having nothing to do with the part at all…in fact, Chastain flat out said that it wasn’t true at all that she was being considered. ScarJo’s rep called it a “complete fabrication” (that story is in The Huffington Post). I don’t know about Emma Stone, or Amanda Seyfried. So, apparently, half the actresses the press keep mentioning as vying for the role weren’t really vying for it at all.
According to the Wrap, Lawrence turned it down because she has too full a schedule. Who knows why Mulligan turned it down. Anyway, I don’t have the link, but the article is in both The Wrap and Huffington Post. Anne Hathaway could do it, or Lena Dunham, I think.
I’d test Abbie Cornish. She’s not instantly identifiable & has similar facial & body structure. A skinny waif with a turned up nose won’t sell as Hilary.
Abbie is an under-rated actress whose career stalled when Reese worked hard to blackball her, for dating Ryan P.
Reese tried to blackball Abbie Cornish? I never heard about that. Source?
It was pretty widely referred to years ago & came up again recently in blogs, maybe even this one, during Reese’s recent neg press when Toth got the dui. Just read posts about Reese not being the sweet Southern woman she’s tried to project as her image.
Not a secret but mentioned often enough that I don’t remember initial source. Ryan started dating Abbie near to the end of that marriage that Reese put lots of blame on Abbie.
Poor Natalie Portman. Nobody has considered her…
I think Saoirse Ronan would be great (I am biased because I am a huge fan!). My second choise is Mia followed by Elisabeth Olsen. As for ScarJo, she can pull it off the strong aspect of Hillary’s personality, but not the intellect and I don’t think Annie Hathaway (although a very good actress) can pull off convincingly. AnnE exposed herself too much the past year. I would only see her in the screen, not Hillary.
Oops- meant to say Gabby Hoffman!
Dear God, no ScarJo. Ugh. I don’t get the Carey hype- something about her just irritates me. Maybe I’m just still bitter that she got straddled by Fassbender in Shame.
Because AnnE Hathaway is a crap actress who can’t open a movie (and being part of an ensemble in a tentpole is NOT “opening a movie”).
Really, aren’t people twigging to this yet?