Oliver Stone seeks to secure financing for film on life of President Bush
January 23, 2008
LOS ANGELES – Oliver Stone is ready to put the life of George W. Bush on the big screen.
The Oscar-winning director has been quietly shopping a script for “Bush” – a film focusing on the life and presidency of George W. Bush, according to Daily Variety.
Stone, an outspoken critic of the Bush administration’s invasion of Iraq, told the trade publication he’s not looking to make an anti-Bush polemic. He said he wants “a fair, true portrait of the man. How did Bush go from being an alcoholic bum to the most powerful figure in the world?”
A phone message left by The Associated Press at Stone’s office Monday was not immediately returned.
Stone told Daily Variety that “Bush” is “a behind-the-scenes approach, similar to ‘Nixon,’ to give a sense of what it’s like to be in his skin.” It will “contain surprises for Bush supporters and his detractors,” he said.
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The script was written by Stone’s “Wall Street” co-writer Stanley Weiser. It would be produced by Moritz Borman and Jon Kilik, who worked with Stone on “Alexander.” Borman said Weiser’s script was finished before the Writers Guild of America strike and was ready to shoot.
Stone said his pick for the title role is Josh Brolin, who has drawn praise for his recent work in “No Country for Old Men” and “American Gangster.”
If financing can be secured, the film could start production by April, according to Daily Variety.
Stone won best director Oscars for “Born on the Fourth of July” and “Platoon.” He won a screenwriting Oscar for “Midnight Express.”