Friday, May 26, 2006
Todd Haynes to finalize casting on his Bob Dylan bio-drama. One tip, hire anyone but Dylan.
Armchair Advice
Showbiz trades recently announced the latest casting news regarding Todd Haynes’ forthcoming biopic about Bob Dylan. Cate Blanchett, will join a starry ensemble that includes Christian Bale, Julianne Moore, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams. Blanchett, who just wowed Cannes Film Festival audiences with her role in ‘Babel,’ will portray Dylan at one stage of his life.
The idea of Blanchett playing Dylan sounds tough to swallow until you look back at Haynes’ androgynous characters in his previous rock and roll drama, ‘Velvet Goldmine.’ Haynes can make anything work with the one exception being Dylan himself.
Dylan co-wrote and starred in ‘Masked and Anonymous,’ playing a veteran singer, but not one moment was believable.
At age 65, Dylan still surprises. He reveals welcome wit and friendliness as the host of XM Radio’s Theme Time Radio Hour. His music is as vibrant as ever. Yet, in front of the movie camera, Dylan turns to stone. He’s a challenge Haynes could never solve, even if the role existed at the tip of Dylan’s nose.
