Wachowski Update: Larry is Still Larry, According to Fox News
Filed under: RumorMonger, Celebrities and Controversy, Fandom
I wasn't crazy about touching this story to begin with (it was a slow news day, and I figured what the hell), but apparently others beg to differ. Since we first brought news of Larry Wachowski's apparent sex change (in which the director supposedly changed his name to Lana), over a half a million people stopped by to read, and folks like Perez Hilton and IMDb felt the news was worthy of a link. So be it. Thanks for the love. But now, two days later, Fox News (of all people) have decided to take it upon themselves to get to the bottom of this breaking, earth-shattering news.
According to Fox News, they've contacted everyone from Speed Racer producer Joel Silver to "one man in building operations" and "one woman who worked in the Speed Racer office" -- all of whom have denied Larry's so-called sex change. First off, I think we've got to disregard anything coming from anyone associated with the film Speed Racer. Let it be known now that I have nothing against Speed Racer, the Wachowskis, Joel Silver or the dude who works in building operations -- I seriously hope the film rocks. I'm a fan. But do you really think the folks behind that family-friendly G-rated movie want this kind of press spreading like wildfire right smack in the middle of filming? Um, no. And I don't blame them. Secondly, is it just me or have we known about Larry's quest to change his sex for almost two years now? In fact, Fox News even reported on it back in 2006. The same exact writer. Roger Friedman. Who, now, says he finds this news "rather startling." Really dude? But you already wrote about it last year? Can I get a WTF for the hell of it?
Look, regardless of what's going on with Larry (or Lana) Wachowski, we once again wish him (or her) luck. And until Larry (or Lana) steps out into the wide open arena that is the Planet Earth, and tells us which way is up, this whole thing will still be a rumor. And, in my opinion, you shouldn't think less of him or her -- there are slimier people out there to be worried about ...
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-06-2007 @ 6:46PM
Matt said...
WTF???
Reply
9-07-2007 @ 3:34AM
Grant said...
Didn't we all use up our shock and awe on this a while ago? Didn't we all already go back and look at the Matrix and see that the less than subtle undertone about coming out and accepting and then embracing who you are is really just a thinly veiled metaphor for Lana?
Reply
9-07-2007 @ 9:45AM
Tommy said...
While I'm not a big supporter of those of who get sex changes in anyway, I suppose since it's not my body and he's causing no one else any problems I have no issue with it.
"My choice is what i chose to do;
and if I'm causin no harm,
it shouldn't bother you.
Your choice is who you chose to be;
and if your causin to harm, then your alright with me."
-Ben Harper
And to quote the articles author: "And, in my opinion, you shouldn't think less of him or her -- there are slimier people out there to be worried about ..."
I could not have said it any better myself.
Reply
9-07-2007 @ 11:59AM
Me said...
Earlier this year, Robert Sanchez dismissed Cinematical as just bloggers, as opposed to real entertainment journalists. You proved his point by picking up that blog post without ascertaining that the other blogger had at least the basic facts correct. He didn't. As I pointed out in my comment to the other post, the Wachowskis don't do their own publicity, so his claim that Andy would now be doing publicity for "Speed Racer" without his brother was unlikely to be accurate. He also claimed that the photo he included of the Wachowskis was from earlier this year, when in fact it was taken at Comic-Con 2006.
Your mention of others like Perez Hilton and imdb linking to your story is poor justification for the fact that you did not check the facts. It's also pretty lame to blame your use of the story on it being a slow news day. That was all the more reason why you should have done a little investigation first -- you obviously had the time.
Your statement that any word coming out of the "Speed Racer" camp should be suspect is a good point, but it would have been better to apply that caution yourself before you mindlessly used some blog post as your source. Did you bother to look at other posts on that blog? Not exactly full of scoops, is it? So why should that particular post be accepted as true?
Reply
9-07-2007 @ 12:16PM
Hollywood Ron said...
That's no woman, that's a man baby!
Reply
9-07-2007 @ 12:18PM
Erik Davis said...
First off, IESB is right -- we are bloggers, and this is a blog. We are entertainment bloggers, although some of us also file reviews and interviews for print publications and television stations. Don't see what the problem is there.
Second, this story was not worthy of intense research. Yes, it was a slow news day. I found this on this other blog, wrote it up as a "rumor" and left it at that. Honestly, I couldn't give two craps if the pic was taken earlier this year or at ComicCon six months prior -- not much of a time difference there. And not worth a second mention.
Thirdly, I mentioned Perez and IMDb because I was surprised at how popular the story had become. Hence, I felt since folks were interested, I'd provide them with an update.
And in that update, which you can see above, I still clearly state that everything you read on this is and will remain a rumor until Larry or Lana comes forward and speaks for him or herself.
What more do you want? I don't have three hours to investigate a sex change. Sorry. Perhaps IESB will do the leg work for you.
Reply
9-07-2007 @ 3:40PM
Faux News said...
Funny that Friedman claims to be so "surprised" when he failed at breaking this story over a year ago. Faux News at it again. For now I'll stick with what Rated-m.com had to say.
Reply
9-07-2007 @ 4:03PM
Me said...
Erik,
The time difference for that photo between what Rated-M claimed and when it was actually taken was at least a year, not six months as you said. But then accuracy of details doesn't seem to be a big issue with you.
Also, it wouldn't take 3 hours of investigation, as you suggest. It only took me about 10 minutes.
I can understand running with stories when you're discussing who might direct a movie or who might be up for a certain role, but when it comes to revealing facts about a person who usually shys away from publicity, more care should be taken. IMHO
Anyway, other than this quibble, I generally quite like Cinematical and will keep on reading with enjoyment.
Reply
9-08-2007 @ 2:27AM
Fran Kubilik said...
Lana is definitely kissable.
If she's a lesbian, this could be love. :-)
Reply