By Joanna Robinson | Lists | May 23, 2012 |
By Joanna Robinson | Lists | May 23, 2012 |
The casting news/rumors for director Lee Daniels’ latest film, The Butler have officially gone bananas. The movie, based on a Washington Post article and following the life of Eugene Allen who served at the pleasure of The President for over three decades, is packed with more familiar faces than a Gary Marshall rom-compilation (TM Prisco). And they’re not even done casting yet. Daniels and screenwriter Danny Strong (yes, “Buffy” fans, that Danny Strong) have both said that they’re choosing to focus mainly on the relationship between Allen and his son Charles, so all the folks that have been cast as past U.S. Presidents and First Ladies will serve mainly as window dressing. But what expensive, talented window dressing it is. It’s easy to see why, with Daniels’ stellar track record and the inevitable comparisons to the insanely popular The Help and “Downton Abbey,” anyone would be eager to sign on to the project. Here’s a first glance at the good-looking cast. Did I choose the cheese-cakiest photos available? I surely did. Enjoy.
Forest Whitaker as Eugene Allen
Oprah Winfrey as Helene Allen
David Oyelowo as Charles Allen
Minka Kelly as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan
Matthew McConaughey as JFK
Liam Neeson as LBJ
John Cusack as Tricky Dick
Nicole Kidman as Unknown…Pat Nixon? Lady Bird Johnson?
Lenny Kravitz as Unknown
Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan