Ed Harris to Play John McCain for HBO

Ed Harris to Play John McCain for HBO

Television News

By our guest blogger, Joe Oliveto

“Game Change,” an upcoming HBO film dramatizing Sarah Palin’s Vice Presidental run and based on the book of the same name, has just found its John McCain. According to Deadline, veteran actor Ed Harris, who was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in HBO’s “Empire Falls,” will portray the senator. Julianne Moore will play Palin.

As far as physical resemblance goes, Harris isn’t exactly the spitting image of McCain, but he bears enough of a resemblance to convince most audiences. More importantly, he’s a tremendously talented actor, and with him in the role, we’re likely to get some powerful drama. Julianne Moore will most likely be her terrific self, so as far as casting goes, we’re happy with how this has turned out.

Whether or not the film itself will be successful is anybody’s guess. Movies that depict events too fresh in viewers’ minds don’t always attract a strong audience; Oliver Stone’s “W.,” for example, was largely ignored by the movie-going public. It’s hard to argue that a movie about Sarah Palin will perform any better.

Then again, “W.” was released towards the end of Bush’s presidency, whereas this film is likely to appear on HBO while Sarah Palin is still very much an active participant in the American political scene. It probably won’t have any major effect on voters’ opinions, but it may sway some viewers to one side.