HBO Lines Up 2008 Election Film
Does anyone really need to revist the election?
Variety reports HBO has secured the rights to "Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime," an in-the-works Harper Collins book by political writers Mark Halperin (editor-at-large at Time magazine) and John Heilemann (national political correspondent for New York magazine) with hopes of turning it into a film for the pay cable station. This marks the second political feature HBO has picked up in the last month following the March news that screenwriter Peter Morgan was planning to direct his script "The Special Relationship," setting Dennis Quaid to play Bill Clinton, Julianne Moore to play Hillary Clinton, Michael Sheen to play British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Helen McCrory to play Cherie Blair in a drama about the sometimes-turbulent relationship between the leaders of the two superpowers when they first took office.
The Halperin and Heilemann book is said to focus more on the characters than the pollsters and campaign teams from the 2008 election. Charles Leavitt (Blood Diamond) has been brought in to adapt the book, which gives a behind-the-scenes look at the 2008 presidential election from the perspective of the candidates and their respective camps. Heilemann knew Barack Obama from their Harvard days, Halperin had become acquainted with Sarah Palin, and they both knew Joe Biden, McCain and the Clintons.
Halperin is quoted in Variety saying, "Focusing on those characters went to the essence of why this was the campaign of a lifetime, not just for the candidates, but for the country."
Leavitt most recently adapted the Nathaniel Philbrick book "In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex," which Edward Zwick rewrote with Marshall Herskovitz and will direct for New Regency. The writer drew comparisons to a couple of recent films you may recognize saying, "It's funny to call Obama and Hillary characters, but that's how I have to look at them," Leavitt said. "To me, the primary was one of the greatest title fights of the century, and John and Mark have a treasure chest of anecdotes and inside stories. I think it will present itself almost like a stage play, like Frost/Nixon or The Queen."
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Dude….
Seriously….
why?
Does the word "ego-trip" mean anything to these people?
I wish screenwriters and director's weren't all climbing over each other to be the first to adapt the "Election of Barack Obama Story." While the '08 Primary/Election was very historic, I think the nation needs time to see just what kind of President, Obama will eventually become.
I voted for Obama and I hope he leaves a lasting legacy of triumph when his time as our Commander & Chief expires. Still, ENOUGH ALREADY! The economy sucks, there's domestic and international strife and we're still spending billions of dollars on an unsuccessful war in Iraq. Do director's really think a film about the election of a President, who hasn't had the time to address these issues, can actually find an audience?
So, please Hollywood, please. Wait a couple of years, then give us the inspiring behind-the-scenes story of the 2008 election.
Sorry, I've already overdosed on Obama thanks to his many friends on the "news" channels and the many hysterical worship blogs. He's just another lying political weenie like the rest of them, nothing special. Well, his powers of mesmerizing the naive are pretty special, but other than that.. Welcome to the Age of Weenieism…