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+--- Thread: Killing Lincoln Casting (/thread-77.html)
Killing Lincoln Casting - Dave Taylor - 07-16-2012 11:14 PM
Carolyn Mitchell (of the Spirits of Tudor Hall site) let me know about this press release:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/national-geographic-channel-signs-billy-campbell-as-abraham-lincoln-and-jesse-johnson-as-john-wilkes-booth-in-the-scott-free-production-of-killing-lincoln-2012-07-16
Looking at some of his pictures, I'd say this Jesse Johnson is a good match for Booth.
RE: Killing Lincoln Casting - Hess1865 - 07-17-2012 07:24 AM
I hope Jesse is a better actor than his dad
RE: Killing Lincoln Casting - BettyO - 07-17-2012 07:27 AM
Thanks, Dave!
I should be on site a bit when they shoot and I'm DYING to know who is playing Lew Powell, of course!! Although I have been working closely with some of the team, location hunting and research-wise, I don't know about the casting.... I just hope he's a twenty-something (no 40 year olds need apply and NO beard!) And no offense is given to 40 somethings on this forum! HA!
RE: Killing Lincoln Casting - LincolnMan - 07-17-2012 08:44 AM
I can very much see Billy Campbell as Lincoln having observed him in the series "The Killing." This is encouraging news that the project is being planned. I think I would have preferred the production to have followed Swanson's book "Manhunt" rather than "Killing Lincoln" by O'Reilly.
RE: Killing Lincoln Casting - BettyO - 07-17-2012 08:51 AM
(07-17-2012 08:44 AM)LincolnMan Wrote: I can very much see Billy Campbell as Lincoln having observed him in the series "The Killing." This is encouraging news that the project is being planned. I think I would have preferred the production to have followed Swanson's book "Manhunt" rather than "Killing Lincoln" by O'Reilly.
All - Laurie Verge and I have been working with this crew and script writer Erik Jendresen. Mr. Jendresen's script is EXCELLENT and he is very, very conscious of having a good reputation as far as historical accuracy. I have proofed the script, as has Laurie and I must say that is extremely well done and very accurate! I think we're all in for a treat!
RE: Killing Lincoln Casting - Rob Wick - 07-17-2012 08:56 AM
I just got a message on my blog that a man named Robert Wray is playing Conger in the production. To be honest, I've not heard of any of these people.
Best
Rob
RE: Killing Lincoln Casting - BettyO - 07-17-2012 09:07 AM
(07-17-2012 08:56 AM)Rob Wick Wrote: I just got a message on my blog that a man named Robert Wray is playing Conger in the production. To be honest, I've not heard of any of these people.
Best
Rob
That makes two of us, Rob. I've never heard of any of these actors either....
RE: Killing Lincoln Casting - LincolnMan - 07-17-2012 09:10 AM
Betty O. that is very good news! Sometimes they who make movies and such get certain things sooo wrong. Rob: I don't know who Robert Wray is either-but to be honest- I don't watch much TV. The last movie I saw at the theater was "The Conspirator."
RE: Killing Lincoln Casting - BettyO - 07-17-2012 09:13 AM
(07-17-2012 09:10 AM)LincolnMan Wrote: Betty O. that is very good news! Sometimes they who make movies and such get certain things sooo wrong. Rob: I don't know who Robert Wray is either-but to be honest- I don't watch much TV. The last movie I saw at the theater was "The Conspirator."
Same here, Bill. I don't watch much TV aside from the local/National news and an occasional glimpse to see what's on my favorite channels if I DO watch; i.e. History Channel, PBS or TCM....
RE: Killing Lincoln Casting - Laurie Verge - 07-17-2012 10:49 AM
The only name that was familiar to me was Billy Campbell. Jesse Johnson does appear to be believable face-wise as Booth. Let's hope he can capture Booth's essence.
One of the recommendations that I made to Erik Jendresen, the screenwriter, was to be careful to cast people who bear a resemblance to the historical figures. No matter how good his acting was, I just could not get past Kevin Kline's neatly trimmed beard in The Conspirator!
When Erik first contacted me, I flat out told him that I did not like O'Reilly's spin on the history. He assured me that the rights to the book had been sold to another company, which in turn sold it to Nat Geo with the understanding that things could be changed. Unless the director and producers decide to screw things up, the script I read was very good.
RE: Killing Lincoln Casting - LincolnMan - 07-17-2012 11:29 AM
Laurie: yes- Kline's short beard as Stanton bugged the heck out of me. It reminded me of a Lincoln thing I saw a couple years back (I can't remember the name) that portrayed a young circuit riding lawyer Lincoln wearing a beard. It ruined it for me-and the actor was pretty much a dead ringer for Lincoln! Thanks Laurie for your involvement on the project-now only if they'll listen to your recommendations.
RE: Killing Lincoln Casting - Rick Smith - 07-25-2012 08:52 AM
(07-17-2012 10:49 AM)Laurie Verge Wrote: The only name that was familiar to me was Billy Campbell. Jesse Johnson does appear to be believable face-wise as Booth. Let's hope he can capture Booth's essence.
One of the recommendations that I made to Erik Jendresen, the screenwriter, was to be careful to cast people who bear a resemblance to the historical figures. No matter how good his acting was, I just could not get past Kevin Kline's neatly trimmed beard in The Conspirator!
When Erik first contacted me, I flat out told him that I did not like O'Reilly's spin on the history. He assured me that the rights to the book had been sold to another company, which in turn sold it to Nat Geo with the understanding that things could be changed. Unless the director and producers decide to screw things up, the script I read was very good.
Laurie,
I agree that Jesse Johnson may not be a good match for Booth, but that sort of thing has never stopped any film producers before, which is unfortunate.
Would you ask the nabobs if I could play Thomas Jones?
Rick
RE: Killing Lincoln Casting - Barry Doohan - 07-25-2012 04:04 PM
Billy Campbell also played Gen. George Pickett in Gods and Generals. He looked good as Pickett. I can't recall whether he had a speaking part but he can be seen among Lee's generals as Lee watches the battle of Fredericksburg.