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 2 of 2)
6-16-2009 @ 3:00PM
YoDuh said...
As I see it, Pattinson is the only one with the musical chops to even attempt to do Buckley justice.
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6-16-2009 @ 6:09PM
jane said...
Why isn't Jonathan Rhys Meyers being considered for this role? Is he tired of doing musical movies?
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6-16-2009 @ 7:03PM
Ace said...
This is horrifying. This movie should not be made. Jeff's memory should rest in peace.
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6-17-2009 @ 1:01AM
Tori said...
Sure, Robert Pattinson is a musician and sings sort of like him, but the only way I would think he could play Jeff is if he could 1) actually act (he's really just not very good), and 2) if he could do a better American accent. When he speaks with an American accent, it's just muddled and distracting. It doesn't sound fluid and he, to me, sounds kind of German. I wouldn't want that for the story of Jeff Buckley's life. I choose James Franco.
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6-18-2009 @ 2:53PM
anna said...
Pls No on Pattinson!!! For the love of God! In fact none of the above. Surely a perfect opportunity for an 'unknown'...if the film gets made, and I happen to agree with 'Ace' on that one. A new suggestion in the mix 'Peter Pawan', first time I saw him in London, I thought wow, this guy is really good, then I googled him and found this www.ppawan.com . I've seen him in a few things in London now and he is absolutely incredible...and he is the right age at 30! Anyway, whatever happens I do hope they don't turn it into a farce...
Anna x
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6-21-2009 @ 4:36AM
Nina said...
A biopic on Buckley? Which would include Robert Pattinson? For the love of god..no...
Jeff was an incredibly talented human being who deserves more than being portrayed by the next new hollywood teenage 'hearttrob'.
I'm convinced that the majority of his fans don't want this movie to happen...
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6-20-2009 @ 7:09AM
Betti Gefecht said...
This is from a singer's point of view:
http://bettimusictwilight.blogspot.com/2009/06/rob-pattinson-jeff-buckley.html
(to judge for youorself, there are soundclips of buckley and pattinson too)
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6-21-2009 @ 11:10PM
Laura said...
Dumbasses. Jared Leto, hands down.
"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."
No one can meet that challenge with this role like he could, end of argument. This movie can't be made decently without him as Jeff Buckley.
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6-25-2009 @ 3:58AM
Shamrockdoc68 said...
I would have to say that James Franco closely matches Jeff Buckley's look, more than any of the other contenders. Monika Bartyzel is correct in stating that Leto is a bit past the 30 year mark at which Buckley's life ended. However, Pattison is younger, and is a hot commodity in Hollywood currently. Don't count out Marsden, who is extremely versatile, and can sing! Whomever plays the part-music skills or not-will NEVER rival Jeff Buckley's unique sound. They will need to lip synch for the most part, and mimic his melodies during those times when he would probably write a song and sing out the melodies as he wrote. At any rate, I'll go to see the movie.
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6-25-2009 @ 4:08AM
Shamrockdoc68 said...
Nina, you are probably correct. I read an alledged quote from Jeff Buckley that suggested that he did not favor the type of notariety that his contemporaries may have received on the cover of magazines. He stated that he was only about the music: it was his love and his passion and that it was meant to be presented "one on one". If this movie is made, it will need to reflect his passion for the music making process, and depict how he needed it to thrive, much like we need food. The movie will be sure to attract 2 generations of music lovers with his father, Tim Buckley's legacy being just as great. It's eery how they both died around the same age: 28 and 30 years old, respectively.
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6-29-2009 @ 11:58AM
ashley said...
i believe whole-heartedly that james franco has the instinct, heart and sincerity to portray jeff.
the fact that the other 3 have previous musical experience doesn't conclude that they are more able.
and who knows? just because mr. franco doesn't have a strong musical background, doesn't mean those musical instincts and tendencies aren't there waiting to be explored...
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