The cast that will portray President George W. Bush’s inner circle in Oliver Stone’s upcoming political biopic W is starting to come together. Elizabeth Banks (Definitely, Maybe) will join star Josh Brolin (pictured) as First Lady Laura Bush, James Cromwell is in negotiations to play George Bush Sr., and Jeffrey Wright (Casino Royale) is in talks for the role of Colin Powell. But at press time, it was still unclear who will take the role of Vice President Dick Cheney. A source close to the production tells EW that Stone will reach out to Oscar winner Robert Duvall, though the actor’s agency says that an offer has not yet been presented. W, which was penned by Stanley Weiser (who co-wrote Wall Street with Stone), aims to explain how Bush 43 went from being a hard-partying college student to the most powerful man in the world. Stone has said that he wants to make “a fair, true portrait of the man,” but controversy will likely dog the film, which is described in an internal positioning statement as follows: “W is the improbable story of a man who went to the White House despite getting fewer votes than his opponent; who became commander-in-chief despite having avoided military combat himself; and who became the least popular president ever elected to a second term. W will shock and surprise you and leave you questioning everything you believe to be true.” Filming is set to begin on April 21 in Shreveport, La. W is being produced by Moritz Borman (who worked with Stone on World Trade Center and Alexander) and Jon Kilik (Babel and Alexander). QED International is financing the film.
Oliver Stone's George W. Bush biopic coming together
Featured Video
Realite: EW's reality-TV roundup!
Russell's ''SYTYCD'' risk, sexual moves on ''DWTS,'' blackface on ''Top Model,'' and more TV travesties
More 
Today's Most Popular
-
-
Hollywood Insider '2012' destroys the competition at Friday's box office -
-
Photo Gallery 'SNL': 20 of your dream hosts! -
Special Coverage
'Twilight' Saga: 'New Moon'
It's almost here! Get all the latest news, photos, video, and fan commentary leading up to the big premiere
More
Comments (1-30) of 72 Add your comment
Let’s see, Oliver Stone making a “fair” portrayal of George W Bush?
I’d better get in line now.
I hope QED International enjoys losing money.
Are you kidding? There are MILLIONS of us angry Americans who can’t to see the first narrative film that gives us a Behind the Scenes peak into the worst presidency in American history.
That’s funny John I thought that Carter was the worst. But let me guess, we need to retreat from Iraq so we can work on global warming.(which is win/win since if it gets hotter it global warming, and if it gets cold it global warming. I’ll save you the time, global warming is caused by the …….SUN).
I think Stone should be making “Reagan” instead. W. is a puppet who knows he’s a puppet. Reagan was a puppet that thought he was a real President…a much more interesting story. Besides, anyone that would actually see an Oliver Stone movie (namely, the West Coast and the North-East) already knows the behind-the-scenes story of W. because, unlike the rest of the country, we read and we don’t JUST watch Fox News.
I just wanted to thank you for reducing 90 percent of America to a generalizted sterotype. Does that mean I get to list all the things most of the country thinks of when we think of the West Coast and the Northeast? Elitist jackass…
Sorry, I meant “generalized stereotype.” I was too ticked off to spell correctly, I guess…
Sorry, didn’t mean to generalize, but there is a reason stereotypes exist…they are generally true (or at least, have a grain of truth within them). I’m a walking stereotype and I know it and love it…I’m your stereotypical North-eastern Lib that speaks first and thinks later. But you’re right, it is unfair and untrue to say the rest of the country doesn’t read or that they are not up on current events. But after 8 years of the worst President in our country’s history, I’m disgruntled and hold a grudge against the Red states for our current situation. So, let me restate: most people that would see an Oliver Stone movie (Libs) don’t need to see this one because we already know the truth, unlike the uninformed that voted for W. in the first place (and who just happen to be in states that are located in the South and in the middle of the country). Again, I’m sorry…I’m the exact reason Libs have a bad rep, just like “Chris” is the reason Cons have a bad rep.
Kevin…I’m blue in a red state, so I understand your generalization (I make many myself about the folks around me), but they’re not really fair. Sure, some people irrationally voted for W…twice!…but not ALL midwesterners watch FOX. Dems know what’s wrong with this presidency, some Republicans are figuring it out, and the rest ignore it. I will pay to see Stone’s version, just to be able to talk/argue about it with others. Isn’t that what movies are for…to stimulate discussion?
TO THE PERSON RESPONDING TO KEVIN:
Sorry to burst your bubble but there is a reason why this administration went to great lengths to make the words “intelligent and elitist” bad words – because the Northeast and Left Coast were the only sections of this country screaming the truth about this President. It is really too bad the Midwest and the South are so deluded that they think voting for Republicans is voting for “values” – Republicans have no values – they are only interested in big business and lining their pockets with money that comes from the blood and sweat of hard-working Americans. I am proud to be from the Northeast. I am proud that my parents taught me to question authority at all levels – I find it ignorant to blindly follow leaders of any party – OPEN YOUR EYES RED STATES!!
To all you geniuses who actually buy this Blue States/ Red States crap, maybe you should have read a bit deeper 4 years ago. If you looked at the maps that illustrated voting patterns based on counties rather than states, it was obvious that there were tons of metros in the south and midwest that voted against Bush. I did and so did 70% of the people I know. Apprently, you are relying on the very misleading pretty pictures that only depicted states broken down by Red and Blue. More in-depth breakdowns showed a country that was much more purple than the cliches would have you believe. The next time you want to self-righteosly proclaim how well read you are, you might want to actually dig deeper than inaccurate generalizations.
Another $11 saved. Thanks Ollie!
Mind your ‘Blue State’ business!
You really think there are no conservatives in the Northeast?
YOU need to wake up.
Another one for Catty: I’m sure it’s really comfortable up there on your high horse, but I’m going to agree with the person a couple of posts above me. If you think EVERYONE in the South and Midwest is a Bush-lovin’, gun-totin’, minority-hatin’ redneck, it actually proves you’re ignorant, rather than those “intelligent” and “elitist” words you’re so proud of.
I wonder if Brolin’s been playing with Tonka trucks and writing in crayon as reasearch for this role.
To Nathan: LOL!! Crayons…I love it!
I think this is a TERRIBLE decision on Josh Brolin’s part. His career is going really well right now. Oliver Stone’s career…not so much. And never, EVER star in a biopic about someone that is still living…that’s like the No. 1 rule in the “Choosing a Movie Role” handbook.
i hope he trashes the mofo. Go Ollie.
It’s funny to hear people say that it’s just the Republicans that are for big business. When you think of how liberals are supported by the unions. Last time I checked unions are big business. And not only are they big business but they have be destroying our economy for years.(look at the autoworkers). And look what the socialist teachers union has been doing to destory America. What makes me laugh is the fact that Liberals can’t understand why they can’t win the the White House.
Just the fact that this country didnt collapse after 911 should put Bush in high regard. Not one person polled after 911 thought the US would not be attacked again. Most thought we’d go right into a recession from the damage. So the dems knew they had to actually call the president a LIAR–which is unheard of. Yet some fools actaully believe them. Go check a non-partisan fact checking website(there are many of them)..you will see there is not one objective thinker that believes anything the dems say about Bush.
People in their SUV’s dont understand sacrifice. It hurts them that someone would risk their life for something like helping forgieners. They feel guilt complaining about their TIVO when people are dying. Its about guilt.
That is crux of this war protest.
500,000 americans died in WW2. 60 million people died. This is 4000. 55,000 died in Vietnam
People are so weak they dont see the world as it really is. 85 million people die every year—did you know that? Do you know how many of them die for nothing? These brave souls wont be in that catagory. The dems want to put them there by leaving the iraqis to get slaughtered. Yet no one seems to grap this concept.
What is life? Your Starbucks coffee? If this isnt worth life..what is? 4000 people. More die from bad beef than that. Stop the 3rd graders view of the world…stop the drama queen mentality like you really care so much. If you had a grain of understanding, you would see these are difficult choices.
I agree. There are so many puppets who believe what the Democrats spoonfed them.
You call Bush names for long enough and people will start to believe it. People want someone to hate. The thing that makes me laugh is some people actually are fooled by democrats one liners–but thats what you get when all you really know about the world is contained in a sentence or two.
People believe Dem lies, huh? Phhhft, it’s pathetic that you think that line holds up for even a MINUTE! Sure the Dems lie, but OilWhore’s SCUMBAG administration is about the biggest liars The White House has EVER seen. They are corrupt corporate slimebags who got a lot of American soldiers and innocent Iraqis killed for no good reason. Everyone with a brain that even manages to grasp a “sentence or two” (like braindead Mikey dope said) would know that is a fact!
And to pathetic Jim Nasium: Only if you consider NewsMax and Free Republic to be “non-biased” websites would u think nobody believes the Dems “lies” about President Oil-Whore. And Aww, those bad ol’ liberals called Mommy President a liar didn’t they, baby repugnik??? And that is “uncalled” for??? Really, pumpkin??? I thought you hypocritical hate-spreading maggots tried to impeach a President over lying about a (gasp!) b***job. At least Dems got outraged over lies that get people into an immoral war, not about his sex life.
If brainwashed warmongering sheep with no critical thought like YOU (how ironic you include the word “press” in your idiotic regurgitation of Gasbag Limbaugh’s talking points) had a grain of understanding, you would know your little rant has no bearing to reality, and is still believing Bush lies that have been CONFIRMED to be lies. The war was about oil and power. Nothing else. Immoral, dishonest, corrupt, greedy war, by a failed businessman’s administration of scumbag warmonger and either corporate fatcats or the whores who thrive off said fatcats’ money.
Now, THAT’s reality, Joey. Wake up before you pass this pathetic sheep gene to your poor kids while the country continues to get slaughtered by another administration like this.
This is an April Fool’s gag, right? I mean, right?
I’m a Viet Nam Veteran who was fooled by a ‘pubican prez … never again. Yeah, Bill is a cad, Jimmy was mediocre at best but since the days of Ronnie Raygun when the rightists have been in charge they’ve done nothing to corral the idiocy of their own. Raygun was a buffoon, Poppy Bush was a con artist in cahoots with the Saudis and his son “boy” george has the blood of 4,000+ American service people on his hands for starting an unnecessary war for nothing more than having an insurance policy for re-selection as the US has never turned out a ‘resident in the middle of a war. junior is one sick little brat who’s life has been guided mostly by his power-hungry mama babs.
I’m a Viet Nam Veteran who was fooled by a ‘pubican prez … never again. Yeah, Bill is a cad, Jimmy was mediocre at best but since the days of Ronnie Raygun when the rightists have been in charge they’ve done nothing to corral the idiocy of their own. Raygun was a buffoon, Poppy Bush was a con artist in cahoots with the Saudis and his son “boy” george has the blood of 4,000+ American service people on his hands for starting an unnecessary war for nothing more than having an insurance policy for re-selection as the US has never turned out a ‘resident in the middle of a war. junior is one sick little brat who should have been turned over his mama’s knee and whupped rather than coddled as he was. junior would have lasted about 10 seconds in ‘Nam and I can see 50,000+ names on a granite wall that he will never come close to when it comes to bravery, strength and character. He’s the poster boy of an empty suit.
Ok rightists … insult me for accidentally posting before editting. Ya’s always salivate when there’s a chance to insult anyone who disagrees with you OR disparages your fearless leader.
It kills me, how few people in this country are capable of simply disagreeing with people who don’t share their opinions…apparently we’re supposed to HATE people who don’t share our opinions. We’re supposed to attack and insult and vilify people who don’t share our opinions. Has it occurred to any of you that the people you’re attacking and vilifying probably are perfectly decent people who love their families and are kind to animals and don’t really wish anyone any specific harm? They just disagree with you – that’s all. I’m talking to everyone, left, right, and center. Can’t we be kind? Or are we beyond that in this country?
I always consider that others are just as adamant in their beliefs as I am in mine. I only “react” when my, or others of my ilk are insulted because we have a different opinion.
Why would QED lose money for a fair potrayal. Would you rather them present a one sided, construed view like Michael Moore? I keep an open mind on everything and so should you.