Thandie Newton To Play Condoleezza Rice In Oliver Stone’s W. Iaon Gruffudd In Talks For Tony Blair
Oliver Stone’s Dubbya biopicW.continues to stack on cast members like intelligent pancakes, with the latest editions beingIaon Gruffudd(Mr. Fantastic inThe Fantastic Four), who’s in the final stages of signing on to play former British prime ministerTony Blair, and British actressThandie Newtonas Bush’s long-time Secretary of StateCondoleezza Rice. You may have heard that Rice is now in therunningto be presidential hopeful John McCain’s VP running mate, so Newton’s portrayal could become that much more relevant.
Newton played it sort of mean and icy inThe Pursuit of Happynessand recently starred inRun Fatboy Run. She’ll also appear in Guy Ritchie’s (remember him?) new, um, Guy Ritchie movieRocknRolla. Stone has not filled in Dick Cheney or Karl Rove butVultureeavesdropped on a coffee talk between Paul Giamatti and the director not too long ago. The film begins shooting shortly, so expect answers to these questions. Remember answers?
W. Casting Rundown: Josh Brolin/George W. Bush, James Cromwell/Bush Sr., Elizabeth Banks/Laura Bush, Ellen Burstyn/Smoking Hot White Haired Barbara Bush.
UPDATE:HRsent the script out to four Bush biographers. Here’s one of the verdicts. Sounds amazing! “It leaves you with the impression that the White House is run as a fraternity house with no reverence for hierarchy, the office itself or for the implications of policy,” said Robert Draper, author ofDead Certain: The Presidency of George Bush. Here’s another snippet from another biographer: “This notion that [Bush’s] schedule is driven by what’s on ESPN is ludicrous.” Yes!Highlight: The biographers were split on the accuracy of some eye-popping details in the screenplay, including scenes in which Bush nearly crashes a plane while under the influence of alcohol…Discuss: If an animal had to play Condoleezza Rice instead of a human…go!
