Ronald Reagan Coming to the Silver Screen: Movie News

Ronald Reagan Coming to the Silver Screen

Movie News

By our guest blogger, Emma Gray

It seems that the life and times of Ronald Reagan will soon be gracing the big screen. The recently green-lit project (working title “Reagan”) sports a $30-million production budget and will be based on two biographies of the former president by author Paul Kengor.

Ronald Reagan’s life story certainly has a natural movie-like appeal. He was raised in a devoutly Catholic household and went on to be first a film actor and then President of the United States. That is quite a trajectory of fame, money and power. And the American public loves all three.

Although I have a plethora of less-than-nice opinions about Reagan’s policies and political views, the idea of this movie intrigues me. There always is something fascinating about peeking into the personal lives of public figures. Hell, it’s what our current celebrity culture is built upon.

Screenwriter Joseph McCord seems to believe in the movie’s appeal. "This is a great story. I'm just glad no one else in Hollywood thinks so, or they'd have made this film by now," said McCord.

Although no actors are attached to the project at this point, The Hollywood Reporter threw out a few suggestions in the likes of James Franco, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zac Efron and Chris Pine. My personal vote goes for Efron. It would be nice to see that pretty boy tackle a meatier role--and one that takes him out of high school.

The film is tentatively scheduled for release in late 2011. Mark Joseph and Ralph Winter are co-producing the biopic.

Does the Reagan rags-to-riches tale strike your interest or have white, male politicians gotten enough screen time already? I suppose the box office will be the judge.