When Alec Baldwin decided to do Prelude to a Kiss instead of a follow-up to The Hunt for Red October it was a colossal mistake. It took a long time for the damage his career sustained to be rebuilt. Even now as he’s ubiquitous and doing some of the best work of his career there’s an almost gimmicky nature to why he has mainstream success. I truly feel that until he did comedy in 30 Rock and had a juicy role in The Departed the masses either judged him based on his offscreen shenanigans or simply didn’t realize the breadth of his talent. Even though the guy’s career is loaded with great performances in great movies and great performances in bad movies. And his Saturday Night Live contributions are the stuff of legend.
Which is why news that he has dropped out (per THR) of Rock of Ages saddens me. A musical with Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, my lifelong friend Bryan Cranston, and Baldwin would have been huge. Even with Russell Brand (who plays a major role much to my chagrin). Even with Adam Shankman directing. A dream cast for a musical.
Now, no Alec. This may not be as big a mistake as his 90’s faux pas but it’s a biggie. This is a movie that is based on a musical that will surely bubble over with unwanted 80’s nostalgia but one that has legitimate “must see” value. Tom Cruise, love him or hate him, is going to knock it out of the park. Giamatti, are you kidding me? Alec belongs here. This is one of those great flicks for him.How do you not want to see these folks onscreen together belting out hard rock tunes?
The article shares that the silver lining is that Alec doing Woody Allen’s next flick. No offense because I love the old man… but we’re a few decades past Woody Allen being the silver lining to much of anything.
8 comments
This sucks. I was looking forward to the (30) Rock of (Telephone message) Rages jokes.
I wouldn’t say I was excited about the movie, but I was looking forward to being entertained. Baldwin was a big part of that – he does comedy in a way very few can. I haven’t found any of Allen’s stuff from this century very interesting. Maybe I’m just a heathen. A philistine. A Jew who can’t relate. All three.
I don’t know if it will be a stumbling block in this phase of his career, but he’s sure as shit missing out on a good time and what would probably have been a great performance opportunity. TFB.
I have always liked Baldwin. I want him to do more stuff! For me, he will always be the only Jack Ryan (Red October blows me away everytime I see it). I don’t often watch 30 Rock because I dislike Tracy Morgan, but I like Baldwin and Fey in it.
I commend him for not contributing to another cavalcade of horror & madness ala Mamma Mia. He’s got the brilliance of 30 Rock. He doesn’t need this bullshit.
A friend told me I should audition for Rock Of Ages on B’Way. I got through three songs on the soundtrack before I wanted to beat myself to death. And now… Russell Brand? Fuck this entire project, Baldwin or no.
I’m generally not a fan of jukebox musicals, but had Baldwin stuck in the cast I might have been tempted enough to go check it out anyway.
It’s the Alec Baldwin show. Watch it at all costs. Morgan’s just there to be a random crisis generator.
This didn’t really interest me. I’m not that put out by this development, though I guess it’s not like he has some great project waiting in the wings instead
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