Perhaps it’s redemption for being kicked out of the prestigious Drama Centre London a week shy of graduation. Or maybe it was just too juicy a part to turn down. Whatever the reason, this year’s outrageous host of MTV’s Video Music Awards, Russell Brand, will play drunken jester Trinculo in Julie Taymor’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The British-born comic will appear opposite Helen Mirren, who stars as Prospera (Taymor’s version of Prospero), and Alfred Molina as Sebastian. Jeremy Irons (King Alonso), Geoffrey Rush (Gonzalo), and Djimon Hounsou (Caliban) are also in negotiations to join the cast. Taymor (Across the Universe) has directed the Bard’s island-set play twice on stage, but in November, she plans to take her shoot to Hawaii. (Is that the only place that Forgetting Sarah Marshall star Brand makes films?)
More on Russell Brand:
PopWatch: Judging Russell Brand’s VMAs hosting gig
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Well, that’ll be interesting — having this guy opposite an Oscar winner: http://tinyurl.com/52qjsl
The idea of a Julie Taymor “Tempest” sounds very intriguing…I’m a huge fan of hers and I can hardly imagine the visual wonders she’ll be able to accomplish with the island and the spirits. Helen Mirren as a female Prospero is a very interesting idea, too.
I like Russell Brand
“The Tempest” is my favorite play and I’m a little worried with how Taymor might screw it up (female Prospero?!?)…but with this strong a cast, I’m willing to give it a try. Russell Brand as Trinculo is a pretty inspired pick.
Russel Brand…..go away, please! My goodness, I hate that stupid little pathetic man! He comes over here and bashes OUR country, and he thinks we care? Why is his life news? What is his claim to fame here in America? Entertainment Weekly, please publish stories that actually matter. We really don’t care about this liberal freak. One look at his hair style and my skin crawls. And Russel Brand, if you hate the United States of America so much, go back to where you came from and stay there.
Seems like he would be good in this role, rest of cast looks good. Don’t like the idea of changing Prospero to be a female, though. I’m intersted to see how Caliban would turn out, and how Ariel and spirits are going to be handled. This could end up being pretty good, provided Taymor doesn’t change the play too much. Hopefully we don’t get a male Miranda or anything other than just making Prospero female.
to bailey: Hating the president of our country is hardly the same thing as hating our country.
This sounds really interesting- a great cast and an always fascinating director. I don’t mind the idea of a female Prospero at all, especially if she’s played by Helen Mirren.
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I think he’ll be fabulous as Trinculo and I hope this is only the beginning….;))