View Full Version : New movie about Jackie Robinson
strummer
03-29-2005, 08:30 PM
A radio news item today was that the same guy who produced the movie, "Ray", is now working on a biographical movie about Jackie Robinosn and that Robert Redford is involved (director? co-producer?). This may frustrate and end the plans of Spike Lee. Judging by the content of "Ray", this movie would probably be a lot deeper than the sophmoric 1952(?) "Jackie Robinson Story" which featured Jackie as himself and Ruby Dee as Rachel.
Now who would you cast as the main characters? I personally veto Chris Rock.
DODGER DEB
03-30-2005, 04:51 AM
A radio news item today was that the same guy who produced the movie, "Ray", is now working on a biographical movie about Jackie Robinosn and that Robert Redford is involved (director? co-producer?). This may frustrate and end the plans of Spike Lee. Judging by the content of "Ray", this movie would probably be a lot deeper than the sophmoric 1952(?) "Jackie Robinson Story" which featured Jackie as himself and Ruby Dee as Rachel.
Now who would you cast as the main characters? I personally veto Chris Rock.
I would love to see Densel Washington play OUR JACKIE! Halle Berry would also be a good candidate to play Rachel.
c.
strummer
03-30-2005, 06:26 AM
How about William Macy as Branch Rickey?
Donnybrook @ Second base
03-30-2005, 09:27 AM
I would love to have Spike Lee involved somehow. His NY roots and edge would work well with the story.
Denzel would be great, but is he too old?
shlevine42
03-30-2005, 09:41 AM
How about William Macy as Branch Rickey?
It would take SIX Macys to equal one Branch Rickey!
I think a better choice would be either Charles Durning or Wilford Brimley.
Giantfanforever
03-30-2005, 02:21 PM
Maybe "Shrek" can play Walter O'Malley.
dreifort
03-30-2005, 02:26 PM
I'd like to see Cuba Gooding Jr as Jackie.
http://www.medaloffreedom.com/JackieRobinsonlg.jpg http://www.carneytrain.com/img/cubaGjr2.jpg
Will this movie be produced/directed by the same ppl as Ray? if so they will try and spend a lot of time "off the field" and into his personal life...which would suck as it would take a lot of Ebbets & Brooklyn memoirs out of the movie.
Which stadium would you use to "re-create" Ebbets in the movie? Total prop in Hollywood or an existing park? Like Oriole park in Baltimore (with Hollywood modifications)?
Nia Long as Rachel?
http://www.walteromalley.com/images/hist_hof/hof_robinson_2.jpg http://www.fashiondish.com/issues/images/jul2100images/Nia%20Long%20150x150.jpg
Scott Bakula as Branch Rickey...
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/images/rickey_branch_5.jpg http://www.nndb.com/people/675/000023606/bakula.jpg
As for Walter Omalley? Leslie Nielsen? haha. :eek:
http://www.walteromalley.com/images/wfom_office_award.jpg http://www.peoples.ru/art/cinema/actor/nielsen/nielsen_1.jpg
but seriously, the guy who has to play Walter O'Malley is this guy:
http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/coprock1.jpg
actor Ronny Cox - he plays an exceptional vilan/badguy/guy you love to hate
VIBaseball
03-30-2005, 06:08 PM
Casting games like this are a lot of fun. I was stumped on Rickey, but you came up with a winner. Nia Long was also very perceptive.
I loved Ronny Cox as evil "Dick Jones" in Robocop. That was actually a change of pace for him -- he'd always been a nice guy until then.
But for O'Malley, I wonder if they could pork up his jowls enough. He'd have to spend a few hours in the makeup chair to get the effect!
DODGER DEB
03-30-2005, 06:27 PM
I'd like to see Cuba Gooding Jr as Jackie.
http://www.medaloffreedom.com/JackieRobinsonlg.jpg http://www.carneytrain.com/img/cubaGjr2.jpg
Will this movie be produced/directed by the same ppl as Ray? if so they will try and spend a lot of time "off the field" and into his personal life...which would suck as it would take a lot of Ebbets & Brooklyn memoirs out of the movie.
Which stadium would you use to "re-create" Ebbets in the movie? Total prop in Hollywood or an existing park? Like Oriole park in Baltimore (with Hollywood modifications)?
Nia Long as Rachel?
http://www.walteromalley.com/images/hist_hof/hof_robinson_2.jpg http://www.fashiondish.com/issues/images/jul2100images/Nia%20Long%20150x150.jpg
Scott Bakula as Branch Rickey...
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/images/rickey_branch_5.jpg http://www.nndb.com/people/675/000023606/bakula.jpg
As for Walter Omalley? Leslie Nielsen? haha. :eek:
http://www.walteromalley.com/images/wfom_office_award.jpg http://www.peoples.ru/art/cinema/actor/nielsen/nielsen_1.jpg
but seriously, the guy who has to play Walter O'Malley is this guy:
http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/coprock1.jpg
actor Ronny Cox - he plays an exceptional vilan/badguy/guy you love to hate
IS it really NECESSARY to post a photo of the "Big O" on OUR Forum? Believe me, NONE of US will ever forget what he looks like, though WE are trying real hard!
c.
DODGER DEB
03-30-2005, 06:39 PM
I think BRIAN DENNEHY could really deliver as the "Big O"!
c.
Paulmcall
03-30-2005, 06:48 PM
Tiger Stadium was used in the movie "61" and is still standing. They would have to use computer graphics to simulate the right field wall though.
Tiger Stadium was Bennet Field, Navin Field and Briggs Stadium before it got it's final name. It was also built one year before Ebbets Field in 1912. The steel in the Ebbets Field seats was forged in Michigan so there is a connection.
dreifort
03-30-2005, 11:01 PM
Tiger Stadium was used in the movie "61" and is still standing. They would have to use computer graphics to simulate the right field wall though.
Tiger Stadium was Bennet Field, Navin Field and Briggs Stadium before it got it's final name. It was also built one year before Ebbets Field in 1912. The steel in the Ebbets Field seats was forged in Michigan so there is a connection.
Yeah, I said Oriole Park because it has some sorta wall structure in RF.
dreifort
03-30-2005, 11:04 PM
Casting games like this are a lot of fun. I was stumped on Rickey, but you came up with a winner. Nia Long was also very perceptive.
I loved Ronny Cox as evil "Dick Jones" in Robocop. That was actually a change of pace for him -- he'd always been a nice guy until then.
But for O'Malley, I wonder if they could pork up his jowls enough. He'd have to spend a few hours in the makeup chair to get the effect!
What about Jack Nicholson? hahahahaha...now that would be a character!
donzblock
03-31-2005, 03:59 AM
Eddie Murphy plays Caucasians better than Caucasians do, and he can also simulate a fat person. He should be Walter O'Malley.
DODGER DEB
03-31-2005, 05:29 AM
Here is an article on the new JACKIE ROBINSON movie, in which Robert Redford's studios will be involved. It seems they are considering JAMIE FOXX for the JACKIE role....
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=794&ncid=762&e=5&u=/eo/20050330/en_movies_eo/16227
c.
Here is an article on the new JACKIE ROBINSON movie, in which Robert Redford's studios will be involved. It seems they are considering JAMIE FOXX for the JACKIE role...
That'd be the best thing about it then. I finally saw "Ray" the other night, and while Jamie Foxx was outstanding, the production value and quality of direction was on the level of a made for TV movie.
dreifort
03-31-2005, 09:33 AM
Here is an article on the new JACKIE ROBINSON movie, in which Robert Redford's studios will be involved. It seems they are considering JAMIE FOXX for the JACKIE role....
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=794&ncid=762&e=5&u=/eo/20050330/en_movies_eo/16227
c.
Jamie Foxx??? what? was Chris Rock not available? geez, why get a comedian to play Jackie? I thought the only reason he had a chance at the Ray role was based on Jamie's musical talent.
plz say no.
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/education/units/images/robinson_jackie_montreal.jpg http://www.movies-on-dvds.com/jamie_foxx.jpg
Baldwin--who's a veteran producer of sports flicks including Mystery Alaska and the upcoming The Game of Their Lives--told Variety the movie will reportedly end when Robinson takes the field for the Dodgers.
well there goes the stadium answer, they won't need 1. :(
...and did I read that correctly? Redford WILL be playing Rickey?
http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/magazine/new/1949_dodgers.jpg http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040120/040120_redford_vsmall_603a.small.jpg
Captain Cold Nose
03-31-2005, 10:31 AM
[QUOTE=dreifort]Jamie Foxx??? what? was Chris Rock not available? geez, why get a comedian to play Jackie? I thought the only reason he had a chance at the Ray role was based on Jamie's musical talent.
plz say no.
They must have given Foxx his well-deserved Oscar for his fingering. He was also snubbed by not receiving a nomination for his portrayal of Bundini Brown in Ali. Both dramatic roles.
Foxx would be an excellent choice. Denzel may be a little long in the tooth to play a under 30 Robinson. Of course, that's never stopped Hollywood before. Paul Newman could be a good Wally O against Redford's Rickey.
dreifort
03-31-2005, 11:37 AM
They must have given Foxx his well-deserved Oscar for his fingering. He was also snubbed by not receiving a nomination for his portrayal of Bundini Brown in Ali. Both dramatic roles.
Foxx would be an excellent choice. Denzel may be a little long in the tooth to play a under 30 Robinson. Of course, that's never stopped Hollywood before. Paul Newman could be a good Wally O against Redford's Rickey.
Foxx was a great Ray Charles because he could mimic the guy, he had Ray down pat. And from his musical past, Foxx knew what Ray was like, his music style, mannerisms, etc.
IMHO, I think playing Jackie would be out of his realm.
And to be serious, if they want the public to "feel" the actual affect of racism and segregation in baseball, they need to find an actor that no one is familar with, someone who will actually come across as a stranger...and outsider. Everyone can warm up to a Danzel, Cuba Gooding, Bill Cosby, etc. But do they want warm & fuzzy in this movie?
and Danzel to me anyway is a modern day William Shatner, too over-dramatic.
Captain Cold Nose
03-31-2005, 11:46 AM
Foxx was a great Ray Charles because he could mimic the guy, he had Ray down pat. And from his musical past, Foxx knew what Ray was like, his music style, mannerisms, etc.
IMHO, I think playing Jackie would be out of his realm.
And to be serious, if they want the public to "feel" the actual affect of racism and segregation in baseball, they need to find an actor that no one is familar with, someone who will actually come across as a stranger...and outsider. Everyone can warm up to a Danzel, Cuba Gooding, Bill Cosby, etc. But do they want warm & fuzzy in this movie?
What musical past? The guy has sang a couple songs on the MTV and ESPN awards.
I'm not sure I follow you here. How would a known quantity not be able to convey this feel, especially as an established actor in versatile roles. Denzel Washington certainly didn't give viewers a warm, fuzzy feel in Training Day. I didn't feel warm or fuzzy watching Jamie Foxx convey Ray Charles's longtime struggle against heroin. There's no guarantee a complete unknown can pull off something near as well as somebody who has proven he can.
dreifort
03-31-2005, 11:58 AM
Jamie Foxx had a musical career long before becoming popular. It was his first try at fame before becoming a comedian - which then led to him becoming actor.
He also released a few musical albums (R&B style). He sings and can also play the piano.
Jamie Foxx went to U.S.I.U. in San Diego on a classical piano scholarship.
Mike Nealon
03-31-2005, 04:51 PM
Maybe "Shrek" can play Walter O'Malley.
:laugh
Now thats funny!! How about Jabba the Hut playing O'Malley and his annoying little sidekick can play Buzzi Bavasi
Mike Nealon
03-31-2005, 04:55 PM
On a more serious note, can you imagine what kind of "movie magic" they can pull off just to recreate Ebbets Field :rolleyes:
JACKIE42
03-31-2005, 06:45 PM
I would love to see Densel Washington play OUR JACKIE! Halle Berry would also be a good candidate to play Rachel.
c.
DD, i would have said Denzel Washington was a slam dunk for Jackie a few years ago when Spike Lee was talking about making Jackie's life story, but now i think Denzil a little long in the tooth. I think Jamie Foxx is the guy. Halle Barry would be perfect as Rachel. Jack Nickelson with the right make-up, could play Mr. Rickey.
JACKIE42
03-31-2005, 06:49 PM
I think BRIAN DENNEHY could really deliver as the "Big O"!
c.
Agree, just saw Dennehy on T.V., last night and he lost some weight, so he should be perfect, but still fat enough to play the O'M.
JACKIE42
03-31-2005, 06:55 PM
Any idea's who should play Hilda Chester. A movie about our team without her character in it, wouldn't be right.
dreifort
04-01-2005, 11:27 PM
On a more serious note, can you imagine what kind of "movie magic" they can pull off just to recreate Ebbets Field :rolleyes:
according to the reports, you won't see Ebbets until the very end of the movie, and then the movie ends. :(
wamby
04-02-2005, 01:58 AM
You need someone intense to play Jackie Robinson. I think Jamie Foxx and Cuba Gooding Jr. would be too lightweight. You neeed someone like the guy who played Antwone Fisher.
How the hell can a movie about Jackie Robinson end when he gets to Ebbets Field?????? This doens't sound like th Cort-Martial of Jackie Robinson or the movie about Satchell Paige and Josh Gibson in which Blair Underwood played Robinson as a Kansas City Monarch
DODGER DEB
03-23-2006, 04:46 AM
Since WCO&B brought up the subject of the new JACKIE ROBINSON MOVIE, perhaps this is a good time to bring back this 2005 thread for all the new members to see and comment.
Enjoy!
c.
runningshoes
03-23-2006, 05:18 AM
It would take SIX Macys to equal one Branch Rickey!
I think a better choice would be either Charles Durning or Wilford Brimley.
Macy is 10 times the actor either on of them are. He would be great in the role.
Durning and Brimley are one demensional..they play themselves playing the roles they are cast in.
runningshoes
03-23-2006, 05:19 AM
You need someone intense to play Jackie Robinson. I think Jamie Foxx and Cuba Gooding Jr. would be too lightweight. You neeed someone like the guy who played Antwone Fisher.
How the hell can a movie about Jackie Robinson end when he gets to Ebbets Field?????? This doens't sound like th Cort-Martial of Jackie Robinson or the movie about Satchell Paige and Josh Gibson in which Blair Underwood played Robinson as a Kansas City Monarch
I agree.
They need to cast an unknown as Robinson with more well known actors in the supporting roles.
runningshoes
03-23-2006, 05:22 AM
Any idea's who should play Hilda Chester. A movie about our team without her character in it, wouldn't be right.
In a movie like this, Hilda Chester would be a backdrop. You might see her in a couple Ebbett's Field scenes and she would probably only be recognizable to those who know who she is.
DODGER DEB
03-23-2006, 05:35 AM
I agree.
They need to cast an unknown as Robinson with more well known actors in the supporting roles.
Let me throw this one out for discussion. I would love for them to consider DENNIS HAYSBERT (President Palmer in "24" and now The Big Unit). While he is taller (6ft 4in) than OUR JACKIE, he has such a presence on the screen and a voice that really grabs your attention.
c.
Brownie31
03-23-2006, 06:05 PM
There was a TV (HBO I think) movie about Jackie Robinson in the mid '90s filmed at Birmingham's Rickwood Field as was Tommy Lee Jones' "Cobb". It still here if Redford & crew would like to use it! How about John Goodman or maybe Dan Aykroyd as O'Malley? Brownie31