The Jeff Buckley Showdown: Pattinson v. Franco v. Marsden v. Leto
Filed under: Drama, Music & Musicals, Casting, RumorMonger, Scripts
Last Wednesday, I threw on Jeff Buckley - Live in Chicago and got to work. One of the times I glanced at the TV screen, a thought occurred to me: Robert Pattinson could pull off a decent Jeff Buckley. He's only a few years younger than the musician was during the creation of Grace; he's a got a slew of musical talents; and has a similar look. Heck, I even tweeted about it. Only a few days later, in a turn that taps into my collective conscience/coincidence question, there's a mass of buzz about a Buckley biopic.
ABC News reports that Pattinson and James Franco are in a showdown to play the musician in the upcoming biopic. There's not much beef to this account, and they get it wrong that "Hallelujah" was released posthumously (it was on Grace), so it doesn't seem definitive. However, an older news release down under explains things in detail. The Sunday Mail reports that Buckley's mother Mary Guibert is overseeing the project, with producers Michelle Sy (Finding Neverland) and Orion Williams (Control !!) and screenwriter Ryan Jaffe (the less-promising The Rocker). (With the inclusion of Sy and Guibert, this must be the project that began cooking three years ago, although writer/director Brian Jun is not mentioned.)
The script is pending, and this news release increases the possible cast roster, stating that Pattinson, Franco, Jared Leto, and James Marsden are up for the role. Guibert says: "Whoever gets the part will need a lot of self-discipline because they won't be able to fake it. It's going to take a phenomenal set of skills."
I would think that outs Franco, who is the only one without musical inclinations. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but I find references to him being an artist, but not a musician.) I'd also out Cyclops, who just doesn't look the part, and is more inclined to play country music. So that leaves Pattinson and Leto. The latter could do it, but he's 37 now -- a wee bit old for the gig. So, that leaves Pattinson. Before the Twilight-phobic scoff, the dude does have the musical background: he plays the guitar and piano, he composes his own music, he's performed live, and keeps it as a backup plan if acting doesn't pan out.
I could go on for another 300+ words, but I'll wrap it up here and ask you: Who do you think should play Buckley in this project? Keep in mind -- he started recording the songs that would pop up in Grace in his early-mid twenties, began touring in his late twenties, and died at the age of 30 on May 29, 1997 (which was my 20th birthday -- thanks, Powers That Be).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-15-2009 @ 1:08PM
danielle said...
Uh no not Pattison, If I have to choose I'll go with Marsden
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6-15-2009 @ 1:06PM
ML said...
What, you're telling me that the actor who takes this part is going to attempt to "sing" like Buckley? Is this a comedy or something?
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6-15-2009 @ 7:52PM
Amanda said...
LMFAO, I agree with ML.
NO ONE can sing like Jeff Buckley, and it would be pathetic for anyone to try. Whoever gets the part should lip sync. And Pattinson is a barely mediocre actor. I don't want teenage vampire playing the amazing Jeff Buckley. Nobody would go to see Jeff Buckley, just to see Pattinson.
This movie shouldn't be made. But if it must, James Franco deserves this role. He's a great actor, and he's proven that. Not to mention, he looks almost identical to Jeff Buckley.
6-15-2009 @ 1:18PM
Holly said...
Pattinson has a great voice. Why not post a you tube clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlQvmoO9_Yk
I;d far rather he got the role because at least he IS a very good musician and singer and has always adored Buckely. The role needs an actor who wont fake it. Rob has the right soul for Buckely. He also has that mysterious vibe just like Buckely.
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6-15-2009 @ 1:17PM
Helen said...
I;d like to see Pattinson get the role. Personally I love his singing voice and its very Buckley like.
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6-15-2009 @ 1:22PM
sarahb said...
Pattinson is a good choice for this role. Its a great chance to get some male fanbase and he really is a cool singer and musician. He has the Buckely vibe so yeah I can see this working. All his friends are musicians and they have a Buckely vibe too. He lives and breathes music so its a much better choice than many.
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6-15-2009 @ 1:27PM
ruth said...
Pattinson singing at an open mike but its recorded on a phone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5xfj2Pb6F8
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6-15-2009 @ 1:38PM
none to play JeffBuckley said...
NO ONE should play Jeff. Leave his amazing place in this life untouched by cheesey hollow hollywood crap. cant contain him to a 1.5 hour movie. can't contain him at all. very few muscians tap into something bigger than what they are. i understand why Mary might want to do this - it is hard to let go, but untimately it is wrong for what was-Jeff needs now. peace
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6-15-2009 @ 1:47PM
darlene hines said...
Rob for sure he has a beautiful singing voice!
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6-15-2009 @ 2:01PM
Jeremy said...
I believe James Franco more closely matches the look of Jeff Buckley. Rob Pattinson's eyes are just too narrow.
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6-15-2009 @ 2:33PM
Mr.R said...
I love his music and every time I think about it, it saddens me more to think of how young he was when he died. Up to this point, a great documentary would be amazing and we would all buy into the mix of great music and images, but a biopic? Sorry, no. I think the mom and record industry suits have been over abusing Jeff's legacy for couple of extra bucks, the re-issues are such crap on the music side, add a couple of bad live recordings and unfinished versions and they call it a new album. A bio pic is for those people who lived long enough to make a full movie or did something amazing like saving the Amazon forest. Unfortunately, not much was to be said about Jeff's life on a movie level and that is fine with me, we can stick to the few songs he left, universal and quality pristine to remember the guy. Considering how he came across as a singer, so would he. Let it go already.
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6-15-2009 @ 2:33PM
josh said...
Mark Rendall should play Buckley. he writes, sings and records his own music. sounds incredibly like Buckley and is in his early 20s. also is a dead ringer 9no pun intended) for Buckley
http://extratv.warnerbros.com/photogalleries/ellen_page/4-photo.jpg
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6-19-2009 @ 7:02PM
jennifer said...
I happen to think Robert would be outstanding as Buckley. And as for those of you who think "NO ONE could ever sing like Jeff Buckley," well, they're going to make a movie about him anyway so shut up.
Now, as for Robert, here are just a few of the most prominent reasons for him to play Jeff Buckley:
A. he has extensive experience working on independent-films, outside of the twilight franchise.
B. he has already proved himself to posess great depth and beauty as a singer/songwriter, and performer.
C.he is clearly the youngest of all these candidates.
D. he can sing and play guiter with a haunting-passion.
E. he is a very good character-actor, in the way that he can fade away and really artfully become that person, but in a real and natural-way.
Other than that, there is simply NO ONE ELSE who posesses all of these traits in order to adequately move us all in a Jeff Buckley biopic.
With Much Love, Jennifer
6-16-2009 @ 4:02PM
Martha said...
I agree with the Mark Rendall suggestion....good call. He's not as smolderingly handsome as Buckley, but feature-for-feature he's closer than the other actors
6-15-2009 @ 6:49PM
Belle said...
Rob Pattinson would be perfect for this role. He's so talented and so into his music, I think he'd put his soul into this role. He has th look and the talent.
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6-15-2009 @ 8:31PM
Steve_78 said...
These guys all have the look but Pattinson has the best combo guitar/vocal/acting skills. The role should be honoured with a great actor who is also an amazing musician, Buckley's mother is right; they can't fake it. Pattinson's voice and musicality seal the choice I think.
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6-15-2009 @ 9:32PM
Debbie said...
I think Rob Pattinson would be great in this role for 3 reasons: (1) He's a very talented actor (2) he is a very talented musician, and (3) He is also a fan of Jeff Buckley, and has said in the past that he would love to portray Mr. Buckley in a biopic, and I think if given a chance to do that, he would bring as much authenticity to the role as possible.
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6-15-2009 @ 11:16PM
Norhtwest girl said...
I am a big fan of both Rob Pattinson and Jared Leto and would love to see either of them do this role and I believe either of them could pull it off - both seem to have a deep, dark, twisted side that is both haunting and appealing at the same time - just like Jeff Buckley. I am glad I don't have to choose!! xo
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6-15-2009 @ 10:17PM
paul said...
What a loss.
Pattinson and Franco are both good choices. They each have their strengths. The other two, lets face it, have zero chance here.
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6-15-2009 @ 11:34PM
Saundra said...
Why so much animosity towards a biopic on Buckley? I think if done tastefully and respectively it would be a tribute to the beautiful artist that he was. No one is trying to BE Jeff Buckley, just portray him. There will never be another, but if the biopic is made, why not choose someone who will bring justice to the role? Rob Pattinson is not only an amazing musician, he seems deeply passionate about acting and is a huge Buckley fan.Just because Rob's face is plastered everywhere right now doesn't mean he's shallow hollywood crap. Rob is very gifted and i believe he would give it his all.
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