Jun 17 2009 Attention: We've Lost a Stooge

The chances of finding Sean Penn jammed in a doorway with two other men has just radically decreased. Citing personal reasons, Milk has dropped out of both Asger Leth's Cartel and the Farrelly Brothers' Three Stooges, in which he was to play Larry alongside Jim Carrey's Curly and Benicio Del Toro's Moe. Variety notes it's unclear if the studio will wait out Penn's "personal reasons" or find someone even more unlikely-but-oddly-appropriate to fill out the trio. Maybe glue some hair tufts on the side of Dave Attell's head? Or just put absolutely anyone in this incredibly convincing mask.

Mar 25 2009 Penn, Del Toro, and Carrey Probably Your New Larry, Moe, and Curly

The nyucking is all coming together. Variety reports that Sean Penn has officially signed on to play Larry in the Farrelly Brothers' modern take on a Three Stooges comedy; meanwhile, Jim Carrey is in talks to put on 40 pounds to play Curly, and Benicio Del Toro may be getting a bowl-cut:

Studio has set Sean Penn to play Larry, and negotiations are underway with Jim Carrey to play Curly, with the actor already making plans to gain 40 pounds to approximate the physical dimensions of Jerome "Curly" Howard.

The studio is zeroing in on Benicio Del Toro to play Moe.

The film is not a biopic, but rather a comedy built around the antics of the three characters that Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Howard played in the Columbia Pictures shorts.

Steve Martin grave robbing the magnifying glass from Peter Sellers' cold hands has got me used to the idea of modern actors recreating iconic roles. I'm numb to it. Even though I'd say this is far more heinous, being that the actors who played the Stooges are completely synonymous with these roles, I'm willing to let this stand as a misguided tribute.

What worries me, though, is the standard this is setting for the future. In 40 years, when I'm taking my grandchildren to see the latest Ice Age movie (this one has prehistoric mammals, dinosaurs, and jets), I don't want to be greeted with a trailer for a new Austin Powers, with some new actor shouting familiar catchphrases through prosthetic teeth. If we're going to let Three Stooges: 2010 stand as a precedent, the possibility seems too real for comfort.

Sep 9 2008 'Milk' Poster Has a Point to Make About Blending

"Never blend in." Just like Milk never blended in. I mean, actual milk blends into nearly any powder or other liquid with just a light stirring, but not Harvey Milk, and that's the point. I think. I don't actually get the point.

Sep 4 2008 I Believe in Harvey 'Milk' Trailer. Get It? It's Like Harvey Dent

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man elected to a public office in the U.S. (though some of the Founding Fathers seemed a bit iffy at times). He was then murdered by a fellow city supervisor who hated Harvey Milk being the first openly gay man elected to a public office in the U.S., because that's the American way. Gus Van Sant has made the story into a biopic starring Josh Brolin, James Franco, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna, and Sean Penn as Milk, a role that will surely get him Oscar nominations and other prizes made of gold. Here's the trailer:

Continue Reading " I Believe in Harvey 'Milk' Trailer. Get It? It's Like Harvey Dent "

Jan 30 2008 Sean Penn as Harvey Milk/Samuel Powers

I knew Sean Penn was going to take on the role of politician and gay rights activist Harvey Milk for Gus Van Sant's Milk, but I had no idea he was going to be playing it as Dustin Diamond. I guess the gay angle would do a lot to explain Screech's willingness to join Zack's various harebrained schemes so eagerly; I just worry it could get distracting if he keeps hiding in his locker when a rival politician shows up.

Sean Penn as Harvy Milk [Ohlala Mag]