Maybe You Didn’t Know Me at All
June 29th, 2006 . by Jilly
From Spin Mag…
The life of Jeff Buckley, one of the most celebrated musicians of the 1990s, will be documented in an upcoming biopic. The film, set to be written and directed by Brian Jun — whose debut, Steel City won critical acclaim at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival — will focus on Buckley’s career, including the recording and release of Grace in 1994, his work on Sketches (for My Sweetheart the Drunk), which was released posthumously in 1998, and his untimely death at age 30 when he drowned in the Wolf River in Memphis, Tennessee. Buckley’s mother, Mary Guibert, will produce the film.
“I can tell Jeff’s fans with complete confidence that Brian is not the sort of fellow to sugar-coat or manipulate the facts,” Guibert said in a statement. “I know that he’s a straight shooter… and I have seen from his filmmaking that he has the courage and the skill to do this the way it should be done.”
As for casting the film, Guibert insists they’re not even close to that point in the film’s production. “So, now, my friends, you can swing on the chandeliers speculating about which actors will play which parts,” she said. “But, don’t ask me! Read my lips, you actors, out there! We will not be making any decisions about casting a film we don’t yet have a script for.” Guibert expects they will have a script by the fall of this year.
I heard that Brad Pitt was trying to get the wheels rolling on this, because he really wanted to play Jeff Buckley. He’s not right for the part though.
I could see James Franco…
…or a young Ethan Hawke.
James Franco would be perfect as far as looks go. but what about any talent?
James Franco could play him and Jimmy Gnecco of Ours, could lend his vocals.
I’m still unsure Jill.
This is like my mum telling me that McDonalds is a good supplement for nutrients.
Although Guibert might have good intentions, her son would shy away from any such offer.
Jared Leto! He’s a great actor and he is very passionate about music! I like the thought of
James Franco but I still like the idea of Leto in that part.
JARED LETO!! What?! That’s almost as bad as that ridiculous notion/rumor that Jude Law would be playing Ian Curtis. Great actor!? Are you refering to his re-interpretation of Jordan Catelano in every single role he’s ever been in. I was starting to think that he had dedicated his “acting” career as an ode to My-So-Called Life. Yes, yes he is very pretty but we’re talking about playing Jeff freaking Bukley. Have you heard 30 Seconds to Mars? They couldn’t be more terrible if they’d planned on it. I can’t make up my mind about what he does worse acting or making music. Exactly what part of that should grant him the Jeff Buckley role? Besdides he looks nothing like Jeff. I really am not trying to hate on Jared Leto, I think he’d make a fantastic model or gigolo. He’d probably be the richest John if he chose to be.
Sorry Treehugger, I’m sure your a very nice person but that is a terrible idea.
i don’t need a movie.
i just want to run through a field of daisies with jeff’s head on the stem of each shining one.
Quinton is a lucky man.
Ethan Hawke or James Franco, exactly what i thought!…preferably Ethan Hawke i think, anytime i see him on screen he just gives off this presence which reminds me somewhat of jeff, he kinda has the same features as him (except the nose) a pretty great actor too, mayeb too old at this stage though.
James Franco would be perfect to play Jeff Buckley, and I think he can act, he’s way better than Jared Leto (that’s for sure), though Jeff really would definitely not want any part of this movie.
some ideas:
James Franco
Stefano Dionisi
Giliian Murphy ( I think he has lots of personality to portray JB)
Jeremy Davies maybe?
James Franco for sure. I think that Chris Cornell could maybe lend his voice for some tracks..hmmm
Did anyone here know Jeff Buckley personally? Then why does everyone say “He wouldn’t have liked this or that”?
i did.
he likes yellow.
and rap.
James Franco is the man for the role !!! Period
JAMES FRANCO IS THE ONE…no questions about it. Who cares about his musical talent! As long as he knows the history behind the music and he can act thats all that he needs. He will be lip singing Buckley’s works so musical talent is irrelevant. Franco is perfect for the part plus he has that mysterious aura about him just like Buckley. No doubt…Franco for the part.
jeff doesn\’t like james franco.
he wants enya to sail away.
he like red beans too.
i am napoleon.
Although I watched a biography on Jeff a few years ago broadcast on BBC2, and I’ve read the book where both said that Jeff was a very private person, I do think that this is a good idea, and while I think Brad Pitt is a good actor, I also think that James Franco would be the best option, as he looks more like him than anyone else I can think of.
With his mum producing it, things will be told more true than if someone else had just picked up the ball and run with it.
i totally agree about james franco. my biggest hope is that they dont try and get someone to sing like jeff. it just cant be done. brad pitt is a huge jb fan but i dont think hed have a chance of playing him. as for jared leto. i think he can act (eg. requiem) but hed suck as jeff. in fact everyone would suck except franco. my guesse is theyll get some obscure unheard of actor for the role though. and i agree that jeff wouldnt have liked the idea. i never met himn but from reading the book and watching the clips u get the impression that the last thing he would have liked is a film glorifying his tragedy. ill feel quilty watching it. happy cause itll be great but quilty cause im sure hed have hated it.
Franco definitely, by far. And get the band to play themselves
another name in the ring might be Hayden Christenson. If he got a better script than attack of the clones (you can’t get much worse), he could act it.
James Franco!. he even kind looks like JB…just a little! they are both beautiful men with that sorta inoccent look yet you know they are not! of couse theres only one man who good enough to play jeff and thats jeff but sadlyhes not with us
he was such an amazing man with such a beautiful mind. I dont know if anyone could fill those shoes. you know who else would be good. John mayer. I dont know why but he just seems like he’d be great for it! so James Franco is my number 1 and john mayer is my number two!
As a huge Jeff Buckley fan I would hate to see him misrepresented by the wrong actor in this film. I have to cast my vote for James Franco. They look so much alike that it’s almost scary (but in a good way of course
) and I get a similar vibe from each. Nothing and no one can match JB of course but I think that Franco is as close as it’s gonna get. I think that his acting abilities are great and as someone else pointed out, he will be lip syncing to JB’s vocals so vocal talent or lack of doesn’t matter.
They both have those dark, deep, soulful yet innocent eyes, same heart-breakingly sweet smile, same quiet shyness about them… Their faces are nearly identical and I can definitely see Franco encapsulating all that was and is JB very well.
check this guy out.
he’s your man….
http://www.myspace.com/siallenofficial