I just read that by next Xmas we will finally see Ignatious. T Reilley come to life on the screen - and Will Ferrell is playing him. Now I love Will Ferrell, but I really don’t get this casting. He’ll probably do a good job - few can do obnoxious as well as Will - but what in the world lead to this casting? And why didn’t John Goodman do it? After all, he’s already an obese New Orleans resident, no extensive prosthetics required. The last time I read it, that’s who I pictured the whole time. I’m puzzled…
For some reason I thought Phillip Seymour Hoffman was playing Ignatius. Or maybe I dreamed that.
At one point he was attached to the project (which has been being kicked around for over twenty years), but apparently that fell through when PSH took “Punch Drunk Love”. I thought he would’ve been really good for the part. But the article in Entertainment Weekly sounded pretty firm.
I envisioned Kelsey Grammar in the role, for some reason I always read IR’s dialogue in his voice. I think WF can pull it off, he can convey subdued absurdity as well as anyone, IMO, much like Steve Martin.
In related news, Lily Tomlin is cast as Mrs. Reilly, Drew Barrymore as Darlene (Darla?), Olympia Dukakis as Santa and Mos Def as Jones.
Philip Seymour Hoffman would have been perfect. What a shame.
LC
I’m very disappointed with this news. I LOVE THAT BOOK. Will Farrell can be funny, but he’s not Ignatius material. With him in the role, they’ll either abandon everything properly New Orleans about the story, or he’ll play it in some horrid southern accent that isn’t right at all! Phillip Seymour Hoffman could have done it, also Jack Black might have surprised us if given the opportunity.
Shrieking: This casting news is awful. As a Confederacy of Dunces fan from way back, you have ruined my day. At least there is the book…
I reluctantly took my 8 year old to see Farrell in “Elf,” but was pleasantly surprised. His performance was okay, and the movie is pretty much what he specializes in, mostly inoffensive, lightweight comedy. The problem that I see, is that “A Confederacy of Dunces” should be offensive, and shoudln’t be lightweight.
I’m feeling nauseous…confronting news such as this, I feel the need to take myself to bed.
There was an article in the paper last weekend, but I threw it out. Here it is though:
http://www.nola.com/search/index.ssf?/base/living-2/107008894583760.xml?nola
The actor isn’t going to make or break the movie, the director and producer are. But low expectations are the way to go. Not only is the movie going to have a hard time with New Orleans, the book is set in a New Orleans that is gone.
I don’t think any film’s really gotten New Orleans right and the city is such an essential part of the book. And I hate that Will Farrel is in it. Ugh.
I always say Robin Williams in the roll when I first read it. That ability to be unhinged yet passionate.
“saw” not “say” – I should not post when I am tired.
I just really hope that this casting doesn’t mean that they intend to dumb the property down to a low rent slapstick comedy. I think Ferrell can be funny but Ignatious is supposed to be a genius and I don’t see Ferrell being able to project that. maybe I’ll be surprised. I hope so.
At least they got Jones right. Mos Def is very talented - I look forward to seeing him at least. I just hope that they can get Steve Buscemi to play officer Battaglia.
I have a really bad feeling about this. There is no way they can condense the plot of Confederacy down to a two hour movie. There are too many characters who in my opinion are necessary to tell the story.
I can’t really see Will Ferrel playing Ignatius. He is too tall and not nearly heavy enough to play the role.
Also, are they going to set the movie in the 60s, or are they going to set it in modern times?
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
Maybe in a few years it will get a luxuriously expansive treatment as a miniseries, a la “Tales of the City” – as produced by A&E, Bravo, Channel4, or Canal+.
Hey, I can dream.
Ugh. No. How about we just don’t make the movie at all?