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Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2008 > April > 03 > Entry
Who should make the Neil Armstrong film?
As you can read elsewhere on this site, the life of Neil Armstrong, the Ohio native who was the first man on the moon, will be made into a feature film.
So the logical question follows - who should star in and direct said film?
Let me brainstorm a few ideas.
Ron Howard would seem the go-to guy because he made Apollo 13, but then again, he made Apollo 13 and may not want to repeat himself (even if he is still slated to direct a prequel to his worst movie, The Da Vinci Code).
Oliver Stone, maybe? He showed he could make Americana-type stories with World Trade Center, but he’s currently prepping a feature film about W.
Clint Eastwood, who has some interstellar experience with Space Cowboys, had originally been attached to direct, but with the project not being at his home studio of WB, Eastwood may not feel so inclined.
Paul Greengrass? He’s done well with Universal, but his documentary “shaky-cam” style may not be well suited to space travel.
People will surely suggest Tom Hanks should star, but since he played Jim Lovell in Apollo 13, I’m sure he’d decline. However, I don’t think it would be such a bad idea if Hanks directed. He did direct one episode of From the Earth to the Moon, the cable miniseries he produced. Director Jonathan Mostow, a savvy helmer who made another episode of that series, as well as Breakdown, U-571 and Terminator 3, would be a solid choice too.
As for who should play Armstrong, I haven’t many ideas. The great challenge is that the man has been so infamously reclusive, it would be hard to get a handle on him. All I can say is I’m glad this is being made; I thought it was a great shame Armstrong neglected to join his fellow astronauts for last year’s documentary In the Shadow of the Moon. Maybe now the record can be more complete.
Any (other) ideas?
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Coming Attractions
Comments
By Alan
April 4, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
I think Hanks should direct, Dermot mulroney would be a good Armsrong or Howard DuFourBy Kim
April 4, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Interesting! I’d like to see Hanks have a go at directing it. His experience with 13 would be helpful I think. And to play Neil? Heath Ledger would have been a great choice - I continue to lament the loss of his great talent. I’ve seen Neil up close and personal - not very personable as far as I could tell - and he let a door slam in my face at the Air Force Museum when I was 8 months pregnant. I guess he was afraid I might speak to him if he held on to it another second. So it doesn’t surprise me that he didn’t participate, though I agree it’s a shame that he’s that way. I could maybe see Matt Damon in the role too - with a Bourne kind of intensity. It will be interesting to watch it all unfold!By tlc
April 4, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
After seeing Apollo 13 producer/director team is fairly obvious, star could be Brad Pitt, age and appearance, will be hard to duplicate this hero, small town boy becomes superhero and drops out of the media frenzy to teach math. Wow, thats a challenge!TCBy SRCputt
April 3, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
My reaction when I saw the topic was immediate that Hanks should direct. I would not have him star: let him take a supporting role like he did the first time he directed (That Thing You Do!). Besides, if the film focuses on the 1960s, Hanks is too old.