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A just-posted TV trailer for Oliver Stone's W on Coming Soon. Stone urging YouTube enthusiasts to create a W mash-up. And Stone telling GQ that he wanted Christian Bale to play Bush before he went to Josh Brolin.

"I needed a star, and Josh Brolin was not a star. Originally I went for Christian Bale. We did some rigorous prosthetic tests and spent a lot of dough -- thousands and thousands of dollars - and then Christian said, 'I just don't feel like I can do it.' I met Josh and liked him. He was more rural Americana. But man, he was scared shitless."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on September 20, 2008 at 9:12 AM

comment #1

Admiral82 says ...

Christian Bale? I don't know about that one. Brolin seems a little better suited.

I like the TV spot though.

Posted by Admiral82 at September 20, 2008 9:35 AM

comment #2

BurmaShave says ...

Bale is the most insane thing I've ever heard. He seems to have lucked out with this one, but he really should have no role in casting his films.

Posted by BurmaShave at September 20, 2008 9:52 AM

comment #3

iamwhoiam says ...

Brolin is a much better actor than this overrated two-facial expressions Bale. Whatever.

Posted by iamwhoiam at September 20, 2008 10:55 AM

comment #4

televisiontears says ...

PG-13? Hmmm...

Posted by televisiontears at September 20, 2008 11:15 AM

comment #5

Geoff says ...

There's supposed to be a trailer for W. in front of Burn After Reading.

Posted by Geoff at September 20, 2008 11:20 AM

comment #6

High Chaparral says ...

His casting choices are either sublime or ridiculous... sometimes both simulatenously.

Posted by High Chaparral at September 20, 2008 11:40 AM

comment #7

StoneFan1 says ...

Since "JFK," "Nixon," and "Any Given Sunday" are two of the best cast films in history...I'll trust Mr. Stone on all casting matters. Now, Bale as Bush wouldn't have worked as well as Brolin, but it still could've been quite effective in the end. The box office would likely be a lot better with Bale too. I doubt "W." will gross over $30 million in North America.

Posted by StoneFan1 at September 20, 2008 11:46 AM

comment #8

madskrilla says ...

I always thought that Bale's moments in BATMAN BEGINS as (pretend) drunken, nasty rich boy with an insuferrable smirk were a dead-on impersonation of W. himself.

Of course, he's 30 years too young to play GWB, hence the make-up fiasco. Good call, though, Mr. Stone.

Posted by madskrilla at September 20, 2008 12:10 PM

comment #9

High Chaparral says ...

"I always thought that Bale's moments in BATMAN BEGINS as (pretend) drunken, nasty rich boy with an insuferrable smirk were a dead-on impersonation of W. himself."

Hmm. Bale was clearly reverting to Patrick Bateman for those scenes. George W Bush: American Psycho? Yeah, now I see it!

Posted by High Chaparral at September 20, 2008 12:42 PM

comment #10

cinefan says ...

"Brolin is a much better actor than this overrated two-facial expressions Bale. "

I guess you haven't seen American Psycho (easily one of the best performances by a male actor within the past ten years). I admire Bale for admitting that he wasn't right for the part rather than try to play the part in order to get a paycheck - I wish more actors were willing to do that.

Posted by cinefan at September 20, 2008 5:43 PM

comment #11