Jose here. Biopics are always a controversial topic. People get riled over the casting choices, the director, the time period they cover etc. (Anyone still remember when Julia Roberts was interested in playing Kate Hepburn?)
One of the biggest upcoming biopics officially begins production tomorrow. It's none other than Hitchcock (based on Stephen Robello's Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho) which will chronicle the making of one of the greatest movies of all time. The movie will be directed by Sacha Gervasi (of Anvil! The Story of Anvil semi-fame) and as of now has one of the most fascinating casts assembled in recent history to pay tribute to this legendary movie,
Anthony Hopkins headlines as Hitch and Helen Mirren will play his wife Alma Reville. Scarlett Johansson and James D'arcy are set to play Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins respectively (although the other way around would've been interesting too, where's Todd Haynes when you need him?)
Why don't we just take a look at them with their real life counterparts?
On a side by side basis, D'arcy seems to be spot on to play Perkins. Have any of you seen Dot the I? The movie was very very bad yes, but James was electrifying as the creepy friend to Gael García. The biggest draw in the movie might be watching Scarlett Johansson recreate the shower scene. ScarJo is a terrific screen presence but can she pull off a biopic that doesn't require her to just sit and pose for Vermeer? Leigh got a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her iconic role as Marion Crane. Will the never nominated ScarJo emulate this as well?
Personally I'm most curious about Jessica Biel. Who would've thought she would ever be asked to play a classic Hollywood actress? In the movie Vera Miles is onscreen more than Janet Leigh. How will Biel fare in the middle of a much more talented cast?
Do you think this is a case of the director seeing in her what Marty saw in Kate Beckinsale that led him to have her play Ava Gardner in The Aviator? In that case, do you think the movie might just recreate the awards path of Scorsese's nod to old Hollywood? Do you think it means something that the movie starts shooting on a Friday the 13th? Do you think we'll suddenly see a rise in Hitchcock biopics (remember there's one with Toby Jones in the leading role being made) For that matter, is Toby Jones the go to guy for all directors making similar biopics (I personally happen to think he was a better Capote than PSH...) so many questions, so little time.
Give us your take on this sure to be incendiary movie? Do you own Psycho? (the Blu-ray's $10 on Amazon right now. Score!) Is the book this is based on any good? When will ScarJo's first official portrait appear?