CHUD Repertory Draft, Why We Chose X - Page 2

Michelle is just what we need at B&M, a strong, beautiful leading lady who can work in any genre. I think it's enough to point out that the chemistry she helped catalyze between herself and Robert Downey, Tom Cruise and then Casey Affleck, in three completely different roles working against three completely different actors, was palpable. The woman can act and beyond that she's got the intangibles (read: charisma).

Was Paul Rudd a response to everyone who thought Day-Lewis wasn't versatile enough -- specifically, funny enough -- to be in a company like this? Perhaps. But with all due respect to Depp, I like thinking of Rudd and Day-Lewis as two people who do similar work, in some vague way. Whether it's Rudd's ability to find gold in a half-hour of riffing on-set or Day-Lewis' ability to bury himself into the history of his character and script, I finally see some ideas starting to take shape in my company. While Depp is the versatile, "do it all" actor in the group, I can see Rudd bringing out Day-Lewis' strength in Beer Battered Buddies while Day-Lewis pushes Rudd in Aqueduct of Tears.

If it doesn't work out ... well, he's still a funny motherfucker, right?

This space reserved for Monica Bellucci, though I'm seriously tempted to just leave this photo as the only necessary explanation.



but since I'm trying to justify a list that contains JCVD:

Monica Bellucci - representing Modeling

Where does Monica Bellucci fit in as a SCAB? Picking a model for an acting company is risky business; being gorgeous does not an actress make. Though a heavy chest might be the only performance some audience members are looking to see, it doesn’t quite cut the mustard in a repertory company. To quote Monica, "Acting is not words. Holly Hunter didn't speak in The Piano and she won an Oscar". Sound like your typical model-turned-actress? What we have here is more than just a Babe Draft mix-up - this is an actress who knows how to use her body as a fully-realized tool to achieve something more than just tightening the pants of every man in the audience (which happens too). And that's not to say it's her only talent. Sadly, it seems that bringing her "guns" to set is almost all that her American films have utilized her for, and we haven't gotten a real feeling for how talented she could be in English films. In Europe she's has 6 nominations and a win for acting, in America she has the Matrix sequels and Shoot Em Up. My draft decision is based on the idea that given the right material and utilizing her as more than 'babe #3', she's just as capable of rising to the top of the food chain here as well, be it in lead or supporting roles.

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What she brings to the table? Acting ability than transcends language barriers (not that she has this barrier, she's fluent in four languages). The rape scene in Irreversible was one of the most harrowing things anyone could be asked to watch - her performance, without any dialoge save for some muffled screams, sells it with gut-wrenching realism. It's no fluke; the content and graphic nature of the scene is a huge factor, but would it have been so controversial and affecting if the actress didn't make it seem like a true act caught on film? She takes her "Acting is not words" philosophy to bat here: from the way her free hand is constantly trying to pry the hand off her mouth, to keep her clothes on.. the convulsions and dry heaving afterwords, her body trembling violently as the shock wears off and brutal reality sets in.. and how she slowly tries to inch back away from her assailant after, these seemingly small details are what lift it from a disgusting, gratuitous exploitation scene into a heartbreaking one. Again, it's not to say physical performance is her only talent or that she could only be dramatic in a rape scene, it's just a vivid example of what can be achieved by a former model with, as far as I know no formal acting training. Yes, I realize this example is getting older and outdated, I'm trying. This might seem a bit ridiculous, but having a European actress, and a really dramatically strong one at that, I think is going to help ol' Jean-Claude out in my films - I won't make him play an American and take away from his attempts to act seriously while struggling with the accent. Anyway, I'm not going to break down why Bellucci is great for every genre like my past choices, but I strongly believe she is capable of a range we haven't seen required of her yet, and even if I'm wrong, there are so many great transition shots I can use her breasts for that it's still worth the selection.

Moved to first post.

3. Christian Bale



Why? Because Christian Bale scares me, and I want the audience to share my dread.

If Batman Begins had never happened, these are still the perfect words to describe the man. There are very few actors who can live his professional career in such shades of darkest gray and come off as fresh every time he's onscreen. There are people who'll debate me on that, reiterate that Bale's played dark, broody, scumbag so much he's become his own cliche, to which I reply a big fat, Spacey-sized, "Wrong." What's special about Bale is that the melancholy in his recent work is never presented without the undercurrent or sadness, or regret, even secret, repressed joy. It's there in every little move he makes, and it's a deliberate choice on his part. We don't have to guess that there's something bubbling just underneath that dark exterior....he shows it to you, asks you to take whatever that is and deal with it as being part of whatever bastard he's playing at every step. And that takes more than being a one-note brooder to pull off.

Round 3 Pick 20 Josh Brolin


Alot of good actors never get the chance to show how great than can be. Josh Brolin was one of those who shuffeled from tv series to independent and B movies always doing solid work but never got the right material or a chance to work with the right directors. That changed with the Coen Brothers and Ridley Scott.

Josh Brolin is the prototypical everyman. He attacks his roles with incredible ease and grace. In NCFOM he gave a brilliant nuanced performance showing that while he may have had to do some lesser work he was always working on his craft. You don't just wake up after 20 years of sleepwalking through roles to give a performance like that.

Paul Giamatti





I know we're supposed to be writing these up in our own words, but I have to quote Matt Goldberg who succinctly summed up the strengths of Giamatti as thus. "He's an actor that not only understand his character, but is able to make sure that his performance is in line with the tone of the entire film." That perfectly sums up his talents. When the role calls for subtlety (see Duets) he can almost seep into the background, yet when he needs to play it over the top (see Shoot Em Up) he can chew scenery with the best hams in Hollywood. When he needs to carry a film, he most certainly keeps all eyes riveted on him and there's no doubt that he's leading man material. Yet, in a film like Cinderella Man when he's filling the supporting sidekick role, he never once let's you forget who the star is and he works his ass off to make the film and his co-stars shine. What Giamatti does the best is humanize his usually schlubby, downtrodden characters and let you see what makes them tick. His two most celebrated roles from Sideways and American Splendor could have been turned into one note caricatures in lesser hands, but he played both about as perfectly as they could be played. He's perfected the everyman role and celebrates every quirk, tick and mental imperfection. The guy has taken every character that could have been summed up as a loser at some stage of development and made sure that by the time the end credits roll, you don't see them as one. Simply put, Giamatti is one of the greatest character actors working today and not only does he make any film he's in a little better, he makes those around him a little better.

There aren't many actors who will get my dollar opening day, regardless of what they do. Russell Crowe is one of them, and while I love/admire/worship at the altar Mary-Louise Parker and Ed Harris in ways that explain why I will die alone, Crowe is probably my favorite actor working today.

Crowe is a leading man without a doubt, and he's one of the few actors working today who is an Alpha Male (meaning I believe it when he kicks some ass), but he is also an actor with an extreme dedication to his craft. I've told this story a dozen times on CHUD already, but I had the opportunity to meet Jeffrey Wigand, who Crowe played in The Insider, in high school as part of an interview for the school paper. During our interview, there were times where if you closed your eyes, you couldn't tell whether it was the real guy or Crowe as Wigand. Mimicry is easy for an actor, but it was Wigand's comments about how Crowe accurately captured what he was going through emotionally during the real-life events of the film that stuck with me.

I don't know if it's Wigand or Maximus from Gladiator that is the proto-typical Russell Crowe performance, but both of them reveal Crowe's fondness for the underdog. The schlub. The working man. In nearly all of his movies, he plays an average guy up against seemingly unbeatable odds. We don't think of him that way because he's Russell Crowe the Phone Thrower, but it's true. (It's rumored that the producers of Homeless Dad wanted Crowe before he passed on the part.) He doesn't play guys who set out to be heroes, but who rise to the situation to become heroic, whether it's the brawny physicality of Maximus, the doggedness of Richie Roberts, the intellectual superiority of John Nash, or a combination in Captain Jack Aubrey.

There's been some question as to whether or not Crowe can do funny. I think Crowe is a funny guy, but not funny ha-ha. He's more playful than anything, especially when it comes to the understanding that he's dealing with ridiculous material. His first two movies in Hollywood were The Quick and the Dead and Virtuosity, and I think he has an inherent understanding of the concepts behind those two films. He gets them, just like he gets that 3:10 to Yuma is a throwback western, an R-rated Silverado, and that it's time for him to have some fun with the material. (Which he did so, so, so much.)

Not only does Crowe have one of the best understandings of character and tone in recent memory, but he never settles for delivering a standard take on a character. The role that put him on the U.S. map, L.A. Confidential's Bud White, could be a mindless thug, sure. But Crowe gets why White behaves the way he does, letting the audience see that White may hate everybody, but the person he hates most is himself -- he's too big, he's too uncontrolled, he's too dumb. And White's struggle to become someone better than his father is the dark heart of L.A. Confidential.

As a leading man and a phenomenal talent, we are pleased to welcome Crowe into the Second Glance Rep family. While Crowe has some theater training -- if you can call The Rocky Horror Show theater -- , he's known as a movie actor and has no intent to return to the stage, it seems. The once-terror of Hollywood seems to have been mellowed by fatherhood and middle age, but his commitment to the work and low tolerance for bullshit makes him a perfect fit with our company. We look forward to his reunions with Ed Harris (their interplay was some of the best stuff in A Beautiful Mind, especially Harris' ability to intimidate Crowe) as well as his scenes opposite Mary-Louise Parker. While he's not currently attached to any projects, he's in talks for the straight-man lead in Beer Battered Bedmates, a supporting role as one of the prisoners in the "Mist meets Con Air" Warehouse, and as the mayor of the small New England town where all the melodrama takes place in Aqueduct of Tears.

Coming Soon: Why Uma Thurman deserves to be picked...and we deserve to die.

J.K. Simmons





I honestly cannot think of an actor who I have enjoyed more over the last 10 years than J.K. Simmons. He's the perfect actor for an ensemble piece. He can step up and take control at certain times, then drift to the side as another actor has their moment to shine. He can do anything a writer or director asks him to do, having proved that from the moment he stepped foot on the set of "Oz". Whether it be playing a sadistic killer in prison, manager of the Detroit Tigers, an enigmatic newspaper editor, the father of a pregnant teenager or whatever the Coens ask of him, J.K. Simmons is one of the most versatile actors working today.

In Aqueduct of Tears, he will play a newspaper editor and mentor/boss to Casey Affleck's character. It will be a more grounded, more fatherly role than that of J. Jonah Jameson, closer to a Mac McGuff type of character. That's all I have now, but as the Triumph Repertory Company keeps growing, J.K. Simmons will continue to be a vital member.

That is some fucked up shit!
So why did I pick Nathan Fillion for my company?
I needed a charisma factory. Someone with perfect comedic timing and charm. Fillion has been cursed at birth, destined to star in countless quite good TV shows that no one watches. I never liked Firefly, but I watched the show and Serenity mostly because of him. He was the best suitable candidate for the Indiana Jones/Han Solo type of hero. He has proven that he can handle action and Sci Fi well, he was born and raised in comedy and even has a few dramas up his sleeve. He did horror with a straight to dvd sensation White Noise 2: Whitey!. So really, how can someone not one such a versatile actor to fuel your team? He's the engine that just keeps giving, sparring with every other actor to create great chemistry. Having already worked with Chiwetel Ejiofor in the past, they really look forward to recapturing that great magic back. They'll be confronted directly in 2 of the movies they'll do. But I won't disclose all of his roles just yet.

Amy Ryan has been one of those actors that's been working since the early 90s but only in the past few years has been getting noticed, mainly in the form of two roles. That of Port Authority Officer Beadie Russell in The Wire and her Oscar nominated role as Boston white trash mother Helene McCready in Gone Baby Gone. In these two contrasing roles, Ryan plays characters that have their world's completely shaken due to outside forces and shows a different potrait for each character.

Now, it's pretty clear that Ryan is a great actress in terms of drama but only until recently had we found that she can also do comedy as viewed in her role as the new HR rep of the Dunder-Mifflin Scranton branch of The Office. Yes, we've only seen one episode in a role that'll probably last only a few more episodes. But even then, there's a clear niceness and sweetness to someone who appears to have an interest in Michael Scott (Only time will tell). Clearly this is a shift from the other two chracters mentioned but from what's been seen, Ryan is clearly able to handle the challenge without appearing wooden or being out of her element.

Hopefully, unlike other best supporting winners and nominees, she won't disappear as she definitely has a place on the screen.

Since this is fantasy, I haven't worried too much about who likes who and who would or would not be able to act in five movies in quick succession. But once I decided on Maggie for obvious reasons -- young, talented, and despite this not being a babe draft, still gorgeous -- I noticed that she's a furious worker. She won't have much of a problem handling the tonal shifts that our five fantasy films require, and she won't buckle under the pressure either. Again, that's not really a requirement for my draft -- after all, I've got Daniel Day-Lewis in the company -- but it's something I was marveling at earlier. Among other things.

Evan Rachel Wood is one of the best young actresses around. Watch her in Down in the Valley and you'll catch a glimpse of the bright future this starlet has in store for her. She's great in that film, delivering an honest and subtle portrayal of a teenage life. At this point in her career she's got the look and composure to play above her age or below it, she's great in serious roles but seems, at least from here, capable of comedy as well. So, she's got a sort of goth thing going with Marilyn Manson, we won't hold it against her. We needed some youth in our repertory squad, and Evan Rachel Wood is exactly who we wanted.

Round 4 Pick 6 Julianne Moore

I couldn't pass up pairing Julianne Moore with Laura Linney. These two sparring together will be magic. Plus they are both hot and sexy.

Julianne Moore'se wheelhouse is the heartbreaking drama but she can add alot to action and comedies. She has the comedic timing that would have her paired with Cary Grant back in the day and is perfect for the Altman comedies like Cookie's Fortune which she was in. While not the typical action heroine she can hold her own in anything fast paced like in the Jurrasic Par series. But I see her more in her zone in action thrillers like Children of Men. Action movies are best when they aren't dumed down.

Round 5 Pick 20 Michael Peña

An all around talent with an everyman quality that compliments Josh Brolin nicely. Has a low key style with a good comic timing as seen in My Name is Earl. Give the right chance he could break into more headlining roles.

Round 6 Pick 6 William Fichtner

He's the cop, the crook, the addict, the heavy, the gentle voice, the smarmy scumbag, the smart one, the simple one...

I think you get the picture. The man can't be pigeonholed into one thing. He'll be strong enough to complement the powerhouse women and he can pass for Brolin's brother.

Round 7 Pick 20 Catalina Sandino Moreno


Catalina Sandino Moreno burst onto the scene in Maria Full of Grace and has been slowly building on being nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in her very first role. She comes off extremely natural and radiates joy on and off screen. And since I plan most of my films in the soutwest an actress with a Spanish look and could speak it fluently was a must.

Mos Def - representing Hip Hop

Where does Mos Def fit in as a SCAB? This wasn't my original genre-representing selection for this draft, but I'm glad I went with the better fit for my group rather than a "bigger" star. Mos Def is, of course, a huge star in his own right: Grammy nominated recording artist, with an Obie (off broadway) award and a ever growing filmography filled with projects under such directors as Richard Donner, Spike Lee and Michel Gondry - the man conquers any field he applies himself to. Best of all, he doesn't limit himself to gritty, urban-esque movies like most hip hop/rappers turned actors; he's shown his ability to work in a wide range of genres and always delivers a solid performance that feels very true to his character. His newest project, Cadillac Records, sees Def taking on the role of legendary rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry, and hopefully will skyrocket his public recognition and fandom closer to where it deserves to be. Of course, his work sofar has been in more of a supporting fashion, and he does have experience working in ensemble projects such as The Italian Job, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and Monster's Ball so his spot in my company is well earned. With his multitude of talents and hard work to get to where he is, he deserves all the success that finds him; his work with THE SCABS will ensure he achieves that success.

What he brings to the table? I'd be lying if I said I planned it this way, but Mos is the beating heart behind the current faces (and mouths) of my repertory company. It's funny, the thing he was known for bringing to the hip hop game is exactly what he brings to his performances - insight and introspect. I've never seen a performance of Def's where I thought 'Oh, here's Mos Def playing so-and-so'; he has an innate ability to take a collection of dialoge and actions on paper and really turn it into a believable character, a person. I think it's really impressive for a hip hopper with no acting background. In 16 Blocks, he IS Eddie Bunker. The way he delivers lines, the speech impediment he gives the character - he really disappears in the role and brings something extra to a walking stereotype. That effort matched with a better script and you have yourself some dynamite. Obviously some projects like the Italian Job ask a little less of his acting ability, with only enough time to make quick caricatures of most the (many) characters, but Def always does the most with what he has. He also brings experience in a wide variety of genres: action/thrillers, dramas, science fiction (he DID play an alien in Hitchhiker's Guide), and most recently comedy with films like Be Kind, Rewind, though he was more of the straight man to Black's typical wacky persona in that. Out of everyone I have in my company so far, there is no one I am more confident in the ability to take on any role in any genre and deliver a great performance than Mos Def, making this a total no-brainer draft choice. Mos' Definitely.

Jason Bateman



Jason Bateman has accomplished two of the hardest things to do as an actor.
A) He had a career revival in his thirties after being a succesful child actor and
B) Mastered the oh so elusive art of being an incredibly gifted comedic straight man.
Is there a harder role in comedy than that of the straight man? It's so easy to overplay it and yet Bateman makes it look like a walk in the park. On Arrested Development the rest of the cast had the showier, more outrageous moments but it was Bateman who stealthily got some of the biggest laughs while proving to be the gel the held the show together. He can be funnier with an expression or an inflection in a line reading than a barrel full of Ferrels at their wackiest. He can simultaneously be the pompous jerk you hope to see fail and the sympathetic guy you identify with and root for.

Unfortunately, Bateman seems to be getting a lot of stuffy, uptight roles thrown on him since his brilliant turn as Michael Bluth, but when he gets his chance to show what else he can do, Bateman makes the most of it. Even when his screen time is limited. Take his brief role in Dodgeball as an utterly moronic to the point of being brain dead sportscaster on The Ocho. Even more impressive, was his completely out there one man show of a performance in Smoking Aces. It was so unlike anything else Bateman has done and such a scene stealing five minutes in an otherwise lousy movie, he completely overshadowed everything else on screen. I would gladly pay to see a Smoking Aces sequel if it centered around Rupert "Rip" Reed.

Even more promising were his roles in The Kingdom and Juno that show Bateman has truly blossomed and is ready to branch out to other types of films besides comedy. His performance in Juno is especially layered and full of nuance. The anger and onset of midlife crisis are always bubbling just below the surface even before his character begins to express it. Bateman takes what is essentially a smarmy prick of a character and makes his midlife crisis somewhat sympathetic.

Jason Bateman has proven to be an actor who's potential has only been tapped and I'm happy to have him as a cornerstone of the Socially Inept Review.


Jennifer Jason-Leigh



With all of the talent I've assembled here, Jennifer Jason-Leigh is the one person who justification is the least needed. The woman has already received three separate career tributes at the age of 46. She's been praised by many as one of the greatest American actresses to ever live, including Paul Verhoeven who declared "There is no greater actress working in America." Not faint praise , but she's certainly earned every word of it. She's made a career specialty out of playing the fragile, the damaged,the neurotic and the immoral. She's know as a fierce and dedicated method actor who immerses herself in her part, taking her character home with her when needed. It's been amazing to watch her over the years as she fearlessly let's it all fly on screen whether it's her mumbling, accurate turn as Dorthy Parker or the often times painful to watch portrayal of a drug addled rock n'roll failure in Georgia or the numbing hopelessness and brutality of Last Exit To Brooklyn. She's often overlooked as she sinks into her roles so thoroughly and never hesitates to take on a supporting role or be part of an ensemble, but when she gets her chance to shine, as she most recently did in Margot at the Wedding, she's unforgettable. Jennifer Jason-Leigh is the consummate pro with undeniable skills who's been in every type of genre there is. She'll be a very important weapon in my troupe.


Adrien Brody



It's easy to say that a guy who's both won a Lead Actor Oscar AND been banned from Saturday Night Live needs no justification for being drafted. And, how many actors can say they've worked with Polanski, Malick AND Argento? However, I'll admit that maybe I do need to sell my boy Adrien a little bit. He's lost a little luster in this what have you done for me lately world of Hollywood and after some bad choices, people seem to forget just how good Brody can be. Brody hasn't helped himself by limping disinterestedly through The Jacket or looking as if he's about to ask the director what the fuck is going on during Hollywoodland and we're just going to pretend that the twist of The Village is that the movie was never made. (M Night probably has the same wish) Brody can be sort of the same and a little bland when the material isn't very good, but you give him a character with some dimension, some dialogue with bite or a story that makes sense and Brody can be ferocious. He's definitely a guy with the goods and he's shown he can work in any kind of genre. His comic timing was brilliant in The Darjeerling Limited, he was heart wrenching in The Piano and did a pretty damn good throwback style action hero in King Kong. You want an unexpected peak at what Brody brings to the table? Go watch Liberty Heights where he mixes pure swagger and charisma with some remarkable dramatic chops. It showed early on what kind of a star Brody would be and why I'm damn glad to pick a leading man of his caliber with a sixth round pick.


Michael Emerson



Just like Arjen picked Emile Hirsch based on only one role, I similarly don't give a shit about what else Emerson has or hasn't done and I'm picking him based solely on Lost. For anyone who's watched Lost, you know that reason is good enough. Benjamin Linus is one of the greatest characters in television history. Period. Sure, the writing is part of it, but the main reason is Emerson himself. He's become this character so completely and fleshed him out so thoroughly in ways that are his own creation that it's become reason one to watch Lost, which is saying a lot. The way he portrays Ben keeps the audience off balance as much as the other characters on Lost. You know how evil and cold blooded this man is, yet he can make you feel sympathy towards him and trust him, even though you know better. You see how mentally and physically strong Ben can be, yet he can lull you into thinking he's begun to weaken. Emerson can do more with a twitch, or a shakiness in his voice, or a cold stare or even the way he sniffles than legions of actors can do with their entire repertoire. He makes every move and expression count while bringing serious emotional weight. Where has Emerson been all this time? Can he do more? I have no fucking idea but you better believe I'm going to give him a chance to prove that he can.

5. Robert Duvall



I knew I wanted a wizened old vet in the troupe, a sort of distinguished actor that all the other members of the troupe could look up to, and there's none better than Robert Duvall. One look at the guy's storied career is proof that he can pretty much do anything, and do it very, very well. Don't think he can handle science fiction? THX-1138, The Handmaid's Tale, Deep Impact, and the otherwise lacking The 6th Day put that argument to rest. Think he's a bit iffy in the action department? Watch The Killer Elite and then try to tell me that with a straight face (for further proof, see the climactic shoot-out in Open Range). He's definitely no stranger to comedy; MASH, Network, and Thank You For Smoking are but a few of the examples that show he can bring the laughs when he needs to. Hell, his brief role in Apocalypse Now is funnier than a lot of the so-called comedies that are being released today. Drama is definitely the guy's bread and butter, a fact to which films like The Apostle, Sling Blade, Colors and The Godfather will attest. To my knowledge, he's never done a straight horror film, but I don't think he would be out of place in a psychological thriller or a more high-brow but gory frightfest. Best of all, recent films like Gods and Generals, Open Range, and We Own the Night prove that the guy can still bring it when he needs to, despite his advanced age, and his mere presence adds a touch of class to any movie (a trend I'm certain the upcoming adaptation of McCarthy's "The Road" will no doubt continue). While he would probably let the younger cast members do the majority of the heavy lifting this time around, Duvall should have no problem serving as the pillar that supports this particular ensemble.

6. Gael García Bernal



How is it that Gael García Bernal lasted this long? I've wanted him in my company pretty much since the first round, but set him aside in favor of other performers I judged to be more important overall. I never dreamed he'd still be available this far into the draft, and frankly, I think it's criminal that he wasn't snatched up earlier. Nonetheless, I'm happy to snag him for my troupe, as the guy is an incredible talent, and he's got the looks that can moisten panties. The guy's filmography is pretty much quality through and through; Amores Perros, Y Tu Mama Tambien, Bad Education, and The Motorcycle Diaries are but a few of the gems that show Bernal has talent to spare. More importantly, even when the film itself is less than stellar, like the uneven The Science of Sleep, Bernal still manages to shine, delivering a powerful performance that manages to draw the viewer in. While he hasn't ventured too far out of the realm of drama, with the occasional foray into comedy, I don't think it's difficult to picture Bernal in the lead of a thoughtful, meditative science fiction film. And there's little doubt that he would bring is immense talent to bear in a horror film, no matter how schlocky. Action shouldn't be a problem; he's young, fit, and could easily pass as one of the heroes in a buddy picture. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that Bernal can do it all.

7. Aishwarya Rai



While Keener and Potente are undoubtedly beautiful women, I felt as though my repertory company was in dire need of a "babe", and Aishwarya Rai certainly fits the bill in that department. The fact that she is an immensely talented actress to boot is just a bonus, a cherry sitting atop a damn fine looking cake, and she has proven herself to be more than capable of doing great work in various genres. Films like Guru and Provoked: A True Story are more than enough proof that she can do drama, while lighter fare like Bride & Prejudice allow her to indulge her silly side. On the other hand, she's not afraid of taking on more action oriented roles, as she proved with her turns in The Last Legion and Dhoom: 2. Granted, she is unproven in the areas of science fiction and horror, but as with all the actors in the Fortis Players, she will most likely have no problem making the transition to those genres. There are a number of actresses working today who are drop dead gorgeous but limited in talent, but Ms. Rai possesses both in spades, and will put both assets to work as a member of the Fortis Company Players.

Frances McDormand - Round 5



There were about a handful of individuals on my DEAR GOD I PRAY I GET List and Frances McDormand was the only female actor in the bunch. That isn't a slight to all the other wonderful female performers out there, just a testament to how much I respect this amazing woman's talent.

She has proven time and time again that she can handle whatever is thrown her way. Many people remember her most vividly for her role as Marge Gunderson, which resulted in her Best Actress Oscar. It was a great performance and the kudos well-deserved, but its not my favorite Coens role from the wife of Joel. I cast my lot with Doris Crane, the adulterous and wrongly-convicted wife of Billy Bob Thornton's character in The Man Who Wasn't There. Another great performance by McDormand that many folks forget about/don't even know about is that of Bunny, the football-obsessed/somewhat-unhinged woman in John Sayles underrated Lone Star.

I look forward to seeing her chew the scenery with the rest of the Triumph Repertory Company. The fact that she will be sharing the screen with Ellen Page is enough to make me giddy.

"I didn't ask for this role, but I'll play it." And you will play it better than anyone else can, Frances.


Linda Cardellini - Round 6



Only once in my life have I ever reacted to a actress appearing on screen in the same way one would when seeing a gorgeous stripper strut onto stage: when Linda Cardellini first showed up in Brokeback Mountain.

She made a name for herself to those with taste as Lindsay Weir in "Freaks & Geeks", arguably one of the 5 best TV shows of the past 10 years (fuck you NBC). As the confused teenage girl struggling with her identity and what she wanted in life, she took a character archetype done many times before and made it her own. She parlayed that into the only good thing about the Scooby Doo movies and made Velma look sexy. Since then, she has been stuck in what Rath calls "ER Hell", taking over as one of the main characters in the never-ending show that trumped "Chicago Hope" back when I was in High School.

Linda Cardellini deserves the chance to do some genuinely good film work with a talented cast & quality material. She joined the Triumph Repertory Company on her 33rd birthday and my gift to her is to help make her the star she should have been years ago.

Jonah Hill - Round 7


Known for his foul mouth, not-so-svelte physique and curly locks, Jonah Hill has become a staple in the Apatow films. If there is ever an ensemble to be a part of, you cannot go wrong with that one. His great comedic timing has made him popular with the young crowd, but I think it's his heart that needs to be exposed. My favorite scenes in Superbad weren't when Hill's Seth was swearing up a storm, but rather when he and Michael Cera's Evan were getting to the crux of the issues they were dealing with in their friendship. They were two best friends realizing that, in order to grow up, they would have to go their separate ways. That's a very difficult concept for a 17/18 year old kid to comprehend, but it's quite true. It's a deeper film than many realize and Hill's performance helps it hit on a level very few High School comedies ever reach.

Expect Hill to take the lead in Beer Battered Buddies as the constant drunken hookup of Ellen Page's character who decides to try and take things between them to the next level. In Aqueduct of Tears, he plays a college journalist who stumbles upon a dangerous conspiracy, opening the eyes of Casey Affleck's character. The rest of his roles are TBD.

Married with Children is one of the great unsung tv shows in my mind. A show that that was ultimately satire of the other sitcoms of the day. (It's not really a rip-off of All in the Family because we know Archie Bunker is an idiot and we laugh at him because of that. But in Married with Children, the idiocy is spread all around. Not to mention All in The Family tackled hard social issues.) And within that show was the foundation laid down by Ed O'Neill who took the role of Al Bundy away from being just a Ralph Kramden rip off into something of its own.

Now for many people, O'Neill pretty much starts and stops at Bundy. But for the more well-informed, we know that guy has had a much broader career beyond dodging his undersexed his wife and selling shoes to fat women. He's a regular in David Mamet works and had great cameos in Wayne's World as Glenn the Donut Store manager and of course as Lt. "Bootytime U.S.A." Amos in The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. Not to mention his return to the small screen in the very maligned revival of Dragnet, a bird obessed ex-cop in John from Cincinnatti, and the Governor of Pennsylvania Eric Baker on West Wing. Frankly had the show go on for another season, I sure as hell would've loved to see O'Neill as the VP.

O'Neill much like Gary Cole doesn't really get major roles very often, but you know if you encounter them in something. You can figure that in whatever scene they're in. It's going to be good and it'll be worthwhile to watch.

'Beat' Takeshi Kitano - representing Stand-up Comedy

Where does 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano fit in as a SCAB? You'd never know it from seeing many of his films, but Takeshi Kitano (best known for playing stone-faced Yakuza killers and the like) began his illustrious career as one of Japan's most successful stand-up comedians. That's not to say he doesn't meld his comedic talents into his films, but there is quite a difference between the risqué, back-and-forth exchanges of "The Two Beats", the comedy act that launched him into stardom in Japan, and the deadpanned, black-comedy of his gangster films. Of course, the stone-face wasn't always part of his performance - in '94 Beat suffered a horrible motorcycle accident that paralysed half of his body and only after extensive surgery did he recover the use of his facial muscles. He is quick to point out though that the accident may have been a "blessing in disguise", as he accredits it to a change in his frame of mind and marked both a return to his more comedic roots, and was also shortly followed by his most critically acclaimed work, HANA-BI.

While Beat is still best known in Japan as a comedian (to quote the man himself, "It took me ten years of playing serial killers and rapists to be perceived as a serious actor amongst the Japanese public."), he has made his mark internationally with a host of standout dramatic roles, working both in front and behind the camera. When I say he's made his mark, it should be seen more akin to the crater a meteor makes striking the Earth: with 42 film awards and another 24 nominations under his belt, there's no question that Takeshi is the most revered and successful entry into my repertory company.


What he brings to the table? Twenty-eight years film experience - acting, writing and directing multiple award winning films, with a comedy background that stretches even further. Beat has literally done it all over the course of his career, and has aged better than fine wine along the way. This also won't be his first dip into American cinema; he starred in Johnny Mnemonic and filmed his English-language movie (though he still spoke Japanese) Brother in Los Angeles with Omar Epps. He does speak excellent English, but even in his Japanese films he typically plans a man of few words, so the transition shouldn't be much of an issue.

Coming from a stand-up comedy background and retaining a strong comedic presense in his films (Getting Any?, Zatoichi) will make him a welcome addition to Beer Battered Bedmates.

His history with playing tough-guy gangsters (Sonatine, Brother), hardened cops (Violent Cop, HANA-BI) and even blind swordsmen (Zatoichi) will lend itself perfectly when it comes time to tackle the action fare of Forty Second Fuse.

Dramatic work is among Kitano's strongest assets. His performance as a cop dealing with a shootout gone awry and his wife's terminal diagnosis in HANA-BI is perhaps his most layered and subtle performance, and the film itself, while ultimately nihilistic remains one of the most beautiful films I've had the pleasure to watch. A masterful combination of art, cinematography, music, atmosphere, story and performances. I could really go on all day about HANA-BI and Takeshis' (a film where he plays both his 'Beat' movie star personality and struggling actor Kitano who idolizes Beat) and I'd still only be scraping the tip of the iceberg that is the man's filmography. Needless to say, he can handle the shit out of Aqueduct of Tears.

Science fiction he sort of tackled in Johnny Mnemonic, but this and horror represent the 'newest' territory for Beat. With some thoughtful casting and the right approach, I don't see either of these genres representing a problem to him as he has already proven his worth in far more challenging fields time and time again.





Danny Trejo - representing Convicts & Boxers

Where does Danny Trejo fit in as a SCAB? Besides just being my internet namesake, Danny Trejo is like a walking definition of my repertory company. A former drug addict and hardened criminal (he didn't just steal some packs of smokes either, his rap sheet includes armed robbery and drug offenses), he developed a talent for boxing during his 11 years in and out of jails and even won the lightweight and welterweight boxing titles while serving time in San Quentin. Thankfully he got his life turned around by completing a rehabilitation program, and after a Cocaine Anonymous meeting in '85 got a call from a man looking for his support. Danny showed up on what turned out to be the set of Runaway Train and was immediately offered a role as an extra, ironically, as a convict. The screenwriter on the film happened to have served time in San Quentin with Trejo, and remembering his boxing abilities, offered Trejo a job training the actors for a boxing match. When the director saw Danny boxing with Eric Roberts, he offered him a leading role as the main villain in the film and the rest is history. If that's not walking off the street and into an acting gig with zero training, I don't know what is. Of course, for most of his career Danny has continued to do just that - playing a criminal, murderer or all around tough-guy and showing off his physicality more than his acting. He has dipped into the lighter side of things later in his career, namely starring in his second-cousin Robert Rodriguez's Spy Kids trilogy as Uncle Machete, and comedies like Fanboys and Delta Farce (if you can call that comedy). Says Trejo, "I often choose to play bad guys to teach younger audiences that bad guys often die or go to prison, and that one should try to live a decent life." Suprisingly enough, Danny has recently been awarded his first acting award (Best Actor) from the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival for his role in 2008's Valley of Angels, so perhaps like some of my other actors he is starting to flex his thespian muscles instead of just his biceps.

What he brings to the table? This is one of the most distinct looking individuals in film - from his angular, pockmarked face, long mustache and the large signature tattoo of a women in a sombrero on his chest, the guy always stands out in a crowd and it's kept him easily recognizable with audiences. His career has already spanned an amazing 23 years (not bad for a former-criminal who walked onto a set one day), and he doesn't just star with a bunch of nobodys; his filmography boasts working with such actors as Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage, Charles Bronson, George Clooney, Edward Furlong, John Malkovich, Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Val Kilmer, and Antonio Banderas. Ontop of that, he's been known to star in 5 or more movies per year, and has found himself in television shows, animated movies and even video games - the guy keeps busy. He's more of a character actor than a star, but he has worked in ensemble casts before such as in Con Air and Heat, so he's going to know how to handle himself in my films. He's also well versed in a variety of genres: comedies/family movies like Spy Kids, Bubble Boy.. horror films such as the From Dusk Till Dawn trilogy (he's been in all three), a ton of action films like Desperado, Marked for Death, the Machete trailer (hopefully soon-to-be feature film), and the movie he won his first acting award for was a drama, so this is really a guy who's just about done it all, even if only from a smaller role. I'm not saying Danny Trejo is a fantastic actor, that he could play any role, any genre and blow you out of your seat.. but the man is a true film veteran and knows both the ropes and his abilities, so with some smart casting for his roles I think he should fit in just fine with my more "legitimate" actors. I just need to think up why I'd need a giant, tattoo covered, knife-wielding Mexican for my science fiction and drama films.

The minute I saw Ryan Raynolds was still available in the fifth round, I was shocked. I was also disappointed I drafted Channing Tatum. While Tatum is very talented and charismatic, Reynolds can play every role Tatum can a thousand times better. He was do action (the boy's jacked) as evidenced in Blade Trinity. He can do comedy, as he headlined the ONLY good National Lampoon movie this decade. He can do drama. He can do horror. Can he do sci-fi? I don't see why not...

Why is Ryan Reynolds the perfect draft pick? He made Waiting, Just Friends, Blade Trinity, Smokin' Aces and the Amytiville Horror better just by being in them. Without him, the movies would probably suck balls. With him, they may still not be good movies, but he is good in them. Hell, he's great in them. Once again, I'm not asking him to choose a good movie to be in. I'm choosing him to be in my movies. If he is great in bad movies, he will be spectacular in mine.


She can be funny (see the James Bond movies) and she can be an evil bitch (see Notes from a Scandle). She can also be a mean, dominating mother (see Pride & Prejudice). She is one of the best actresses out there and she can fit any role offered her. She fits specific roles in all five of my movies perfectly.


She plays the BITCH to perfection (Dirt was a perfect showcase for this talent) and can do comedy (see Friends). She was drafted to fill specific roles in the drama and comedy and I have a nice surprise for her in my horror movie.

How did Don Cheadle last this long? I'm not sure, but I'm glad he did. The guy has soul. I'd probably draft him solely for all of the Darfur work that he does, but he can act too. As I prepared to write this, I began to realize just how versatile he is -- he can do comedy and drama. We know that. Action and science-fiction? Not as definite, per se, but just think about it for a bit. Cheadle's so good that you know he'll make it work.

I know Nick just asked for one post, but my first one is overloaded. The rest wil be here. Starting, later tonight, with Nick Nolte.



Nick Nolte could have easily not been drafted at all in 7 rounds. He's a bit of a punchline these days, because of his hilarious mugshot for drunk driving and his frankly terrifying visage. And he's crazy weird. All to the good here.

There is a list of great Nolte performances and films that is largely forgotten for some reason, and I think it's because he largely avoided popular studio pictures in favor of smaller dramas, and also because he almost never played an entirely sympathetic figure. I'll touch on a few. Cape Fear seems on the surface like a prominant hero role for Nolte, but no, he's a self-interested and unprincipled piece of shit that happens to be the protagonist. It's a great and brave performance. And as someone who grew up in the 80s, I pretty much have to love 48 Hrs. He turns in good work inBlue Chips, Prince of Tides, and a stunning oscar nominated performance in Affliction. And who can forget the chilling anti-chemistry he created with Julia Roberts in I Love Trouble.

But that is all young(er) Nolte. I drafted old, cranky, scary Nolte. The whiskey swilling curmudgeon from Simpatico, the angriest soldier in The Thin Red Line, and the bugfuck madness of Ang Lee's Hulk. But when I cast him, I was thinking of two roles. First, the American spy posing as a Nazi propagandist in Mother Night. Every shade of gray you can imagine in that, and by the end, you're still not quite sure what to think of him. And second, the often overlooked total good guy he played in Hotel Rwanda. Don Cheadle gets a lot of deserved love for that, but Nolte is credible not only as a man of action, but as a heroic figure. I'd like to see him do it more, and he will in the season.

This leaves off the majority of a brilliant career. In my season, he has maybe the most diverse casting of anyone. He will play an out and out villian in Forty Second Fuse, a paternal and loving, yet disturbingly sleazy role in Beer Battered Bedmates, and the smartest man in the world in Beyond Pluto. His part in the Warehouse will be small, but quite memorable, while Aqueduct remains uncertain, depending on round 7.




It is generally agreed that Jennifer Connelly is a very strong actress and unusually gorgeous, so I think selecting her is a bit of a no brainer in the 6th round. The reason I think she lasted this long is she is always so damn serious. She hasn't showed so much as a hint of levity in anything since her teenage years, when she appeared in some sublimely goofy kids films (Labyrinth, Career Opportunities, The Rocketeer).

But her serious work is generally excellent. Who can forget her sharing a dildo in Requiem for a Dream? She won the oscar for A Beautiful Mind, decisively. She did crazy in House of Sand and Fog, she rose above the material in the all around well-acted Dark Water, and she played the best Betty Ross to date in Hulk. She's great.

The question is can she lighten up? We'll find out in Forty Second Fuse, in which she'll play the ass-kicking romantic interest and The Warehouse, where she'll get to let her hair down and play a mad villain role. But her strong straight drama abilities will be utilized thoroughly as the lead in Beyond Pluto and possibly Aqueduct of Tears. The comedy...well, I'm working on that one.



Drafted seventh because he's off the radar. He's 2nd or 3rd round talent at least. You can go by his film roles, of which there are only two of note. But the they're in Chud's two favorite films of 07, No Country For Old Men and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. They're both, as Chris Olson said, meditative elegiac westerns, and yet both his characters are night and day.

But he also appeared in another meditative elegiac western, this one on HBO. If you haven't seen Deadwood, you're missing one of the highlights of the new century. Dillahunt played the murderous horse's ass Jack McCall in Season 1, changing his voice and physical appearance to play one of the dumbest and most loathsome characters on a show full of dumb and loathsome characters. McCall made his historically accurate exit in Season 1, but the producers loved Dillahunt so much, they brought him back for Season 2 as a completely new character. Francis Walcott, a gold surveyer, seems initially like a bit of a stuffed shirt, but turns out to be a self loathing, whore-murdering sexual deviant. And he's very funny, too, and ultimately, sympathetic. And I didn't realize it was the same actor from Season 1 until about six or so episodes in, and only then because I was so impressed I looked him up on IMDB to see who the hell he was. It's a brilliant series of performances, and it would be worth watching Deadwood for him alone (but the rest is just as good, so stop waiting already).

He'll being playing a lot of bad guys in my season, no doubt. He has a special touch with them, and is able to make them despicable and sympathetic, and strong and weak, at the same time. He's playing Charlie the brutal con artist in Aqueduct, and will go crazy, Michael Biehn style, in Beyond Pluto, and likely a nazi henchman in Forty Second Fuse. And he'll be a bad guy in The Warehouse too, I think. I better let him play a nice guy in the comedy.

Pick number 5.

David Strathairn



A magnificent actor who has been delivering amazing performance after the other for over 20 years. He became Edward R. Murrow for Good Night and Good Luck, the performance of the year that got him a much deserved Academy Award nomination (He deserved the win). He even squeezed in a few Sopranos episodes to show people he was still a humble actor. Who can forget his amazing turn as "whistler" in Sneakers? He was great even in bad movies like The River Wild. His last big role as the main bad conspiracy guy after Jason Bourne really cemented his status as the go to guy when you need to fill your summer popcorn movie with credibility.
What does an actor like Strathain bring to the company? A magical soul twin to Cirian Hinds. Just imagine their scenes together, they'll try to out-act each other in every movie. Some of them will have them fighting to death.
His roles are being kept secret so far. They will be updated soon. Very soon.

Same here; I was particularly verbose on the last three but will try to keep it within the character limit for the remaining four rounds.



4. Rachel McAdams

Attention, ladies: I enjoyed The Notebook, although the adults in the movie (Shepard, Allen, Garner, Rowlands) got to me more than the leads did. But that's a movie where if the leads don't work -- if you don't buy it -- the thing falls apart. The Gosling-McAdams pairing works, and even more than Mean Girls, it was the film that made me notice McAdams as a blossoming talent. I'm a big fan of actors who can do a lot without a lot of dialogue -- it's what they do when they're not talking that sets them apart -- and there are a number of fantastic moments like that for McAdams in that film. Plus, she holds her own against Joan Allen. No easy feat, as Second Glance likes to say.

McAdams, despite lead and supporting roles in some pretty successful pictures in a variety of genres, is an actress who I drafted because of her potential more than anything else. She hasn't truly broken through to full "leading lady" status yet, but as fans of Slings and Arrows know (due to her surprisingly subtle and luminous performance on that show), it's only a matter of time. McAdams' roles in the Second Glance Rep slate are pretty much undetermined at this time, but she'll be returning to horror as the Clarice Starling-like lead in The Warehouse and stealing Beer Battered Bedmates from her cast as a Seven Sisters grad turned Prohibition era madam.



5. Patrick Wilson

If this were the late 1980s/early 90s, Patrick Wilson would have William Hurt's career. But like Liev Schreiber (thanks, Nick!), Billy Crudup, and a number of other intelligent actors with leading-man potential, he's a victim of the fact that nobody in Hollywood makes movies for adults anymore. And so he's been stuck in would-be vehicles like The Phantom of the Opera and The Alamo, shining instead in difficult supporting roles like Hard Candy and Angels in America.

Little Children should have been his breakthrough film, where he backed up his Prom King looks with the acting skills of a Tony nominee. Not so much. At least Zach Snyder was a fan, which lead to his upcoming role in Watchmen. The casting of Wilson as Nite Owl is one that not a lot of people considered, but gets more perfect the more you think about it.

Second Glance Rep hopes that Wilson's involvement with our company will finally bring him the leading-man status he deserves. Wilson will reunite with his Angels co-star Mary Louise Parker to headline Aqueduct of Tears, partner with Ed Harris as a clumsy government agent in Beer Battered Bedmates, and play a John List-like mass murderer in The Warehouse. His roles in Beyond Pluto and Forty Second Fuse are undetermined at this time.



6. Kyle Chandler

Television is a great place for actors to find a "second act" to their career, and Kyle Chandler is no exception. After his heart-throb days on Home Front and his years in CBS Hell on Early Edition, he's currently epitomizing the heroism of an average joe as Coach Eric Taylor on Friday Night Lights. His role on that show has shown his surprising range, where he's unafraid to look foolish or unsympathetic, but you believe him as a leader and mentor absolutely. Like Crowe and Harris, he's a "man's man," but he's gentler and not quite as rough as the Australian actor. And say what you want about Grey's Anatomy (and I can say plenty negative), but his back-and-forth with Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the "dead zone" two-parter hinted at a buddy comedy just aching to be made. He's the kind of actor who you can see getting the roles Clooney gets had he been on ER, just as you can see Clooney in FNL.

He's an actor who has built up enormous goodwill over his 20-plus year career, so much so that even a brief role (see: The Kingdom) leaves an impact. (One of the small geniuses of that movie is Berg casting Chandler as one of the investigators, making the sudden shock of his death in the second explosion a "holy shit" moment that anchored the movie.) So it's no surprise that Chandler will portray a career starship captain in Beyond Pluto and as the comedic lead in the Prohibition-era comedy Beer Battered Bedmates. Chandler, also, is currently deciding between the male lead in Forty Second Fuse or The Warehouse. (Second Glance Rep likes him for the former rather than the latter; we think he'd be perfect for the Scott Petersen/Richard Kimble hybrid in the horror flick.) His other roles are undetermined at this time, but we're sure he'll surprise us.

COLIN FARRELL:



I've been suckered into thinking an actor is the Next Big Thing in the past and, let's face it, you probably have as well. The sad thing of it is that the obsequious articles and the VANITY FAIR covers can distract people from the fact that the performer in question may well be worth a damn. (Not always, but more often than you might think.)

When Colin Farrell hit the scene, the Irish actor's arrival was accompanied by a tsunami of hype, and his after-hours hellraising only fuelled the flames. But check out some of the filmmakers who've worked with him: Spielberg, Malick, Mann, Stone, Gilliam, Woody Allen (and, uh, Joel Schumacher). My guess is they've seen the charisma, the energy, the soulfulness and the inventiveness that inspired me to recruit him for Thespian Clique.

He's been a bad boy and a good cop, a conqueror and a small-time thug, a melancholy hitman and an unrepentant psycho. And he's been captivating pretty much every time. Hype can be a malignant thing, but it's sometimes right on the money.

Oh, and Farrell's funny. Check out IN BRUGES or his swaggering DAREDEVIL performance as Bullseye for proof.

NAOMIE HARRIS:



Soon I'll tell you why.

VAL KILMER:



To quote Darren Aronofsky's PI: "This is insanity, Max!" "Or maybe it's genius!"

(Continued from here)

5. Brian Cox


Brian Cox gives Philip Seymour Hoffman a run for his money in the versatility department. But whereas Hoffman's charisma can come as a surprise, Cox's is undeniable. Whatever accent it's coming out in, his deep resonant voice is unmistakable. He's got presence to spare, even in the smallest of roles, and lends a dignity and gravity to the proceedings.

We're pleased he'll be lending it to:

Aqueduct of Tears: As Gaius Suetonius Paulinus, the Roman governor who sought to stamp out the rebellion of Queen Boudica, Cox wrestles with the military crisis as well as what he sees as the incosequential demands of the construction project.

Beer-Battered Bedmates: Cox plays Lloyd Cavanaugh, the father of Paltrow's Julie, whose secret romance he's willing to go to any length to discover and stop.

The Warehouse: Here, Cox takes on the role of Gibson, the night watchman at a warehouse about to see some unusual late-night activity.

Forty-Second Fuse: Cox steps into history as President Ulysses S. Grant, who unwittingly finds himself embroiled in the hunt for Bana's gang of outlaws.

Beyond Pluto: Cox plays Ellison Reed, a science fiction writer who may hold the ultimate secret to Pioneer 10's return.

Cox's strong presence is a welcome addition to the Bar None company.

--------------------

6. Tilda Swinton


While she's an outstanding talent, Swinton gets the nod here just as much for her striking looks. She can look hard and stern, like a witch or an angel, but when she cracks a smile, there's an undeniable warmth there. And she's an inescapable presence, able to stand out even amongst the computer-generated chaos of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Her brief appearance in Prince Capsian is one of the few moments that film comes alive, doing more in about five minutes of screen time than some performers do with hours.

We'll be giving her plenty of time in these roles:

Aqueduct of Tears: We shake things up, with Swinton replacing Paltrow as Queen Boudica, her majestic presence standing toe-to-toe with Cox and Bana.

Beer-Battered Bedmates: We think Swinton has the chops for comedy, and she'll get to show them off here as Nancy-Sue "Nursie" Hollister, older cousin and confidant of Julie Cavanaugh.

The Warehouse: Swinton's Molly Higgins joins the group of soon-to-be terrified visitors.

Forty-Second Fuse: Here, Swinton joins Hoffman's posse as Deputy Catherine "Catastrophe" Bridger, eager to settle an old score with Bana's outlaw.

Beyond Pluto: Finally, Swinton's role here is pivotal to the story ... and one we can't reveal just yet!

We're glad Swinton was able to join us before the draft ends.

--------------------

7. Michael Hogan


He's got one real major role to his credit, but boy is it ever major. As Col. Saul Tigh on Battlestar Galactica, Hogan frequently shines the brightest in a cast without too many holes. He took what could have been a one-note cliche and turned it into one of the richest characters on television. We've seen Tigh feel joy, pain, bitterness, anger, relief, determination, despair, hope -- anything he's been asked to do, he's done it superbly. His wordless reaction to his imagined shooting of Admiral Adama was simply astonishing, and considering that he's done the bulk of his work for the last two seasons without one of his eyes -- one of the most powerful tools a TV actor has in such an intimate medium -- makes his nuanced performance all the more incredible.

He'll have both his eyes in these roles:

Aqueduct of Tears: Hogan shines briefly as Prasutagus, husband of Queen Boudica, whose death sets in motion the events leading to her rebellion.

Beer-Battered Bedmates: As Monty Romero, Hogan butts heads with Cox's Lloyd Cavanaugh as their children conduct their secret romance.

The Warehouse: Here Hogan takes on the role of Bradshaw, a homeless man seeking shelter in the warehouse and who seems unfazed by the night's events.

Forty Second Fuse: Hogan joins Bana's band of outlaws as Jeremiah "Montezuma" Hawkinsville, a former Marine who's looking to retire in style.

Beyond Pluto: Finally, Hogan plays Col. Nathaniel Jarvis, aka "The Last Astronaut".

Hogan is last, but certainly not the least member of the Bar None Repertory Company.

Coming Soon: Why Topher Grace is an unbeatable market force, man.

Round 6. Carla Gugino



Can you describe a goddess? Look up pictures of Carla Gugino and you'll come close. Gugino like many other great ones before her, got her start on TV. Her list of TV shows is fascinating. Ranging from Saved by the Bell, Alf, Who's the Boss, The Wonder Years to more prominent roles in Spin City and Chicago Hope. Then she performed a small leap to the Big Screen for tiny roles in movies like Michael and Snake Eyes.
Robert Rodriguez gave her major exposure with the Spy Kids series, and blew us all away showing her perfect body in Sin City. She retreated back to her Tv comfort for a couple of failed, albeit good TV shows. Karen Sisco and Threshold. Even had time for a small recurring role in Entourage. But worry not! She never really left the big screen. We could see her in movies like Night at the Museum, American Gangster and The Lookout. Always in small roles. Leaving us wanting for more. This year she co-stars along 2 of the biggest screen legends, Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro in Righteous Kill. And next year she'll dazzle us with her portrayal of Sally Jupiter in Watchmen.

But what does Carla Gugino have besides being one of the sexiest women alive? She's adorable. You look at her and you want to cuddle her. Marry her and be faithful, have 3 kids, a white picket fenced house and a dog name skip. She's got this aura around her than automatically makes her one of the most endearing actresses in the business. But behind those innocent looks, you can see a strong woman. Someone who can take on even the hardest men. Her femme fatale looks will be put to test in her upcoming movies. She'll use her looks and charm to fool more than one person. She'll be the best wife someone could ever want, she'll even Kick some ass.
Just stay tuned and all will come together nicely.

How a guy with one movie credit and two tv roles got into the company. Coming soon.

Round 5

I didn't really notice Chris Cooper until Adaptation. The typically tough-as-nails, mean, military commander type persona he inhabits on film was shelved for a rather brilliant, sardonic performance as an off-kilter horticulturist. Since then he's returned to many of the same roles that marked his career previously, but there's no denying his talent. He can play the stubborn, ignorant, mean old man, he can play the hard-nosed Colonel, the abusive father, and in those roles he's great, as good as it gets even, bringing a level of humanity to roles that in less capable hands would remain one-dimensional.

However, there's clearly more to Cooper than his type-cast material, and after Adaptation I'm convinced the man can do anything. Here at B&M we're hoping to give him the opportunity.

Round 6

I recently watched The Proposition again, one of my favorite films of the last decade, and with all the great performances in that film it's Huston that stands out the most. He brings to the role just the right amount of unsheathed barbarism mixed with animal intelligence, and the result is compelling. He played a somewhat similar, though far less unhinged quasi-antagonist in the John Adams miniseries (as the venerable Sam Adams), and delivered an apparently solid performance in the otherwise mediocre 30 Days of Night (a film I've only read about); and he was recently cast as Stryker in the Wolverine spin-off. He's got the villain down pat.

However, this same actor played the sleazy but mundane and benign Sandy in The Constant Gardner, everyday family man in 21 Grams, and all too calm Nigel in Children of Men. He's an actor you won't likely see as the star of an action extravaganza, but he can play the villain exceptionally, and seems capable of every other character inbetween.

I can't wait to see what he delivers for us here at Bricks & Mortar Repertory.

When choosing actors, it's not the best decision to pick people who are pretty known for one character. However Wendell Pierce stands out in exception because of one thing:

The pink bathrobe scene.

For those of you that have seen The Wire know exactly what I'm talking about. For those of you that haven't, shame on you. But moreover, Pierce's role as Det. Bunk Moreland shows a reasonable man trying to work an impossible job in an impossible system without the usual hyperbole associated with cops. He's damn good at it and he does what he can but knows he isn't going to solve all of the cases, especially in a city like Baltimore.

But he also is reasonable in how the system works and is trying to do his job and unlike the brashness of Jimmy McNulty. Bunk is pretty much the regular guy working as murder police and looking damn good while doing it.

In addition to the scene mentioned above, I would also cite every scene between Moreland and McNulty in the box during Season 5 (aka the so-called "weak" season) as downright masterful in terms of the dynamics between the two of them. I would certainly think that for anyone studying acting those scenes would be excellent pieces to study from.

Me: Tomorrow. I'll write your explanation tomorrow.
Carl Weathers: [Screaming] There is no tomorrow! THERE IS NO TOMORROW! THERE IS NO TOMORROW!

Okay okay, Jesus Christ Apoll-..er.. Weathers!


Carl Weathers - representing Football

Where does Carl Weathers fit in as a SCAB? When I originally concieved the idea of doing a repertory comprised of "non-actors" who came straight across from a different profession, Carl Weathers was one of the first that sprung to mind. It's easy to see where the incredible build in his films came from - the guy made it famous playing college football at San Diego State, and later went on to play with the BC Lions in the CFL and the Oakland Raiders in the NFL. His athletic background, impressive physique and cocky, mile-a-minute line delivery helped him land the role of Apollo Creed in Rocky, a role loosely based off Muhammad Ali (which he reprised for 3 of the sequels) and a film which launched Weathers into superstardom. When his character met an untimely end in the 4th Rocky film, he met with producer Joel Silver and agreed to star alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator, which virtually solidified his action movie status at the time. Unfortunately, when Weathers got a big break in his own vehicle, Action Jackson, the film sunk and he experienced his 2nd untimely end, this time in the action genre. After a string of smaller films and work on television shows (In the Heat of the Night), Weathers experienced a career revival - this time as a comedian. He had a great supporting role in the hit Happy Gilmore, playing Adam Sandler's disabled golf coach Chubbs, a cameo as the same character in Little Nicky, did 3 episodes of Arrested Development playing a hilarious spoof of himself (as a total cheapskate), along with roles in The Sasquatch Gang and the Comebacks. Hopefully, Carl can continue his own personal comeback, and his work in THE SCABS will help put him back on top.

What he brings to the table? The man is a veteran of the legendary 80's action era. He did 4 films with Stallone at the peak of his popularity, and starred across from Arnie himself in Predator, undoubtedly one of the best action/sci fi films around, and held his own against both of them. Plus he worked with future California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and future Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura, so maybe he can conjure up some kind of political backing for his work, pull some strings for my company if we shoot Forty Second Fuse in those states. He's shown his comedic chops in a multitude of recent work (I loved him on Arrested Development), and actually did a segment on Saturday Night Live, announcing that he was running for political office and urging viewers to vote for him on the basis that "he was the other guy in Predator". Totally hilarious, even if he didn't write the sketch. I think he did a fine job of handling the more personal, dramatic beats in films like the four Rockys, so I have full confidence in him to handle his role in Aqueduct of Tears. Like most of the actors I've drafted, most of the actors any of us have drafted, his only genre really lacking in experience is Horror, but I think if someone is capable of performing great in more challenging work than Horror should not be that big of an issue; it's all in how you use your actors. Like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, I think Weathers is capable of bringing a great deal of charisma to his roles; his Apollo Creed was the cocky opponent you couldn't help but be mesmerized by, but when it came time to team up with Balboa to train for Mr. T.. you grew to love the guy. Same goes for most of the roles I've seen him in, with the only exception being maybe Predator, but his character was intended to be pretty unlikeable. He can really turn on the charm when he wants to, and it's not something that can just be taught. Plus, Carl Weathers was a nice bookend to my company - I started with a cheesy action film star and ended with one as well. The circle is now complete.

Dream weavin...

Pick 7 - Chris Evans



When a company needs a charismatic young actor that looks great and can hold his own against major actors, they call Emile Hirsch, if his not available, they get Chris Evans!
You want to know how charismatic and enjoyable this guy is? He made the Fantastic Four movies almost watchable. He's a force to reckon with, his antics with Michael Chiklis were great. He's funny as hell, great timing, can act concerned or serious as proven in Cellular and London. He's also proven his dramatic and Sci Fi chops in movies like Sunshine and Street Kings, both crappy movies with him being one of the only good things. And you can totally buy him kicking ass. The guy's built. Plus, he voiced a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, c'mon!