I have now read two articles saying that George Clooney dropped out of starring in White Jazz because “He’s panicked that, for all of his media darling press coverage, he seems unable to attract moviegoers on his own,” at least that is how Nikki Finke puts it in her latest post regarding the actor whom she says now feels “he needs to appear next in a sure-fire popcorn movie.” Sorry, I find this theory hard to swallow considering Clooney went ahead and made Good Night, and Good Luck., Syriana and The Good German all before making Ocean’s Thirteen (which was only four months ago people). Clooney has never appeared to be an actor that is out to make a movie just for the dollars and if he was I am sure the $311 million Ocean’s made in theaters and the eleventy billion it is going to make on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray will more than help his ego.
Speculators are saying the recent failure of Michael Clayton to beat The Rock’s Game Plan is what is spear-heading this desire to make a popcorn flick. Considering Clooney has Leatherheads and Burn After Reading coming out as his next two features White Jazz would have been the popcorn flick in that three-film equation. This speculation is just silly, and I don’t mind it when it is listed as one journalist’s opinion, but Finke is saying that she “has been told” these things and then the LA Times says that “well-connected Hollywood wags” think this and that. Come on, who and what the hell is a “Hollywood wag”? If this is such a popular opinion then won’t the people that said it please stand up and be accountable?
One person that is standing up against naysayers is director Joe Carnahan, who has taken a bite out of the ass of some of his negative commenters on his site in his most recent post as he continues to be optimistic about the production of White Jazz and says that if he is wrong about it being able to move forward Killing Pablo awaits. Here is what he had to say:
Kids:
There are two incredibly strong options that we’re closing in on right now. One of these options reached out to us, after the Clooney news broke and we were all a little stunned and at the same time, thrilled that this cat would be considering WHITE JAZZ. Now normally, these types of situations lend themselves to a lot more pessimism than optimism. However, I firmly believe that one of my two choices are going to slot into this picture and we’re gonna keep cranking.
If I’m wrong. Pablo awaits.
And for the handful of as*wipes coming in here and spreading derision and dropping all this negativity…I’ve heard it before sh*theads. ‘All big movie stars fall out of my movies…’ Maybe my movies aren’t geared for movie stars. But to little darlings like ‘Terry’ or whatever other aliases these cowards hide behind. If I wanted to go make a big stupid studio movie, for a lot of money, those calls came flooding in Monday morning hoss.
If you honestly think, that things like this, can somehow alter or effect the trajectory of my career, then you’re illustrating the difference between someone like me and someone like you. I don’t let anything get in my way but you, as you prepare that next sugar-free Venti latte, or re-prioritize your ‘action items’ for that big insurance seminar, will remain the turbid troll you’ve always been and continue to allow life to steamroll you with regularity.
Come on man. Enough is enough. It’s that long hard look in the mirror that we all need to take from time to time…so let’s place our cards face up now Terry and call it cold:
You’re not even an ‘also ran’ bro…that implies you were actually IN the race and let’s be frank…you can’t even find the f*cking track.
Sorry kids. Sometimes I gotta drop the goon hand from time and time and clear the air. And make no mistake. I just made this douchebag’s day by including him in this post. This is exactly what he wanted and I wanted to rip this punk, so I suppose we both made out like bandits.
In summary:
Everybody who comes in here is entitled to their opinion. If you just want to come in and hate, f*ck off, you’re not gonna make it. But if you want to hate, at least do everybody the courtesy of using your real info and name, so we know EXACTLY who we’re dealing with.
You’ve been a chickens*it most of your life bro…but it’s never too late to change.
JC
Carnahan is obviously a bit peeved, but who can blame him. Prior to losing Clooney in White Jazz, he lost Chris Pine to Star Trek. Pine was expected to co-star in the feature, but was then offered the role of Captain Kirk making the departure pretty much a no brainer. Prior to all this Carnahan was supposed to work with Reese Witherspoon on Bunny Lake Is Missing, but she left the production only five weeks before production was supposed to start. However, that was also around the same time her marriage to Ryan Phillippe dissolved and I wouldn’t be surprised if that played a role in her leaving.
As for the state of White Jazz I’ve got to believe it is going to happen, not only because I want it to, but because Carnahan seems determined. He states on his blog that they are “in full pursuit of the man [he feels] is perfect to take over the role of Klein” and that he is “willing to go to the ends of the earth to pull it off.”
I am hoping it all works out, primarily so Joe can get back to making movies and stop squabbling with online miscreants.
