Billy Crudup is St Vier

[ellenkushner]

At last, the truth can be told!

I know, I know . . . I've never been the sort of author to get all moony over film types and start casting their own books - mostly because I don't see a lot of movies or TV, and never know who's who . . . but my jaw is on the floor, and I can hide it no longer.

It all started when we went to see the film "Stage Beauty," cause who wouldn't want to see a movie about actors and gender confusion in Restoration London? A few scenes in, I started to get a weird feeling, because the actor playing Ned Kynaston [the last man to play women's roles (women being forbidden) on the London stage] kinda looked - and dressed - like someone I knew. A few more scenes of his perfect control of his lithe and well-knit body, and the self-conscious self-deprecation hiding tremendous innate arrogance, and I went, "Omigod! What's Richard doing in this movie?" It's not that the Kynaston character is the same as St Vier; it's more like my character is playing someone else, but I can still recognize him by certain ineradicable traits.

I made a couple of friends watch the trailers (the European version is the best, but they both have that breathtaking aerial "view" of 17c London, which is nearly as sexy as Billy Crudup, maybe more so), but otherwise kept mum.

But tonight we went to Broadway to see Martin Donagh's "Pillowman." [Note to NY friends: a last-minute very flying visit, to pick out tiles and wiring for apt. - we'll be gone or ere you read this.] In a very different role, Crudup just Had It. It's the way he moves. The way he's always standing slightly aside, watching himself. I'd brought the novel with me, and went afterwards to the stage door, and boldly presented myself to him when he emerged (wearing incredibly geeky and I don't mean geek chic brown - of course brown - cords and an unflattering plaid shirt - pale brown - neither of which fit him very well; he's also exactly the right height). "Hello," I said, trying through my pounding heart to remember that I Am Somebody, and people are scared of me all the time (well, not all the time - the cashier at Star Market couldn't care less, and neither could my parents and, well, most people, actually, but I am a Respected Artist, too) "I'm Ellen. 20 years ago I wrote this novel, and people have been asking me ever since who should play the lead. For a long time I've said, 'Aw, I dunno. . . ' But it's you. You're it."

He gave me the million dollar Hollywood smile (well worth paying for), took the book and said something nice. Delia stepped forward and thanked him for standing up for fantasy writers (in "Pillowman" he plays a writer of exquisite little horror fairy tales), and he said something suitably self-deprecating about what a privilege it was to be able to speak Martin's words (oh, and I know that one; I've done it myself - not about Martin Donagh, of course) . . . .

And that's that. Or will be, once I've downed my drink and paced about the room a few more times.

I just thought you'd like to know.

Comments

[chaoticgoodnik.livejournal.com]

I keep meaning to see that movie. But also, I keep forgetting to do so.

[peregrinejohn.livejournal.com]

Does this mean we're going to see this on stage or screen? That would be, to put it mildly, very nice indeed. Especially if you can get Mr. Crudup in the cast, which I suspect would be no hurdle at all.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

If you have strings, prepare to pull them now!! No, no dramatization of Swordspoint is in the works as far as I know. But I figure that people who read and loved it in highschool will be getting just about old enough to start being powerful Hollywood producers any day now . . . and then we shall see.

[peregrinejohn.livejournal.com]

I rather imagine you would know, unless some playwright fan is preparing a script for your birthday. No, if I had any sort of pull I'd probably be maneuvering myself into the role of an interesting Council member...

[pariyal.livejournal.com]

And it will take so long to make that my daughters will be old enough to watch and love it with me!

[marinarusalka.livejournal.com]

You know, I've been meaning to rent Stage Beauty for ages, and never getting around to it. But you've inspired me now. I shall see it!

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Stage Beauty is not a perfect movie. But - Crudup aside - I wouldn't call it a waste of time, either.

[naamah-darling.livejournal.com]

That's incredibly cool. And triply cool that you got to tell him.

I always have the urge to ask writers if they do mental casting for their books. This is the first confirmed case of post-dated casting I've read.

[pariyal.livejournal.com]

I do, only it's mostly not actors (though there's one Dutch actress who I want for the co-protagonist of _A Voice from the North_) but people I see in the street. When taking the kids to camp we met the villain of my current WIP. I told the eleven-year-old, who said "Cool!" and we went on casting other unsuspecting people together.

[rozk.livejournal.com]

1. How incredibly cool. And yes, now you mention it, he is absolutely right.

2. Yep. You're scary. I always feel like a bumbling clod when I am anywhere near you, because, you know, you have elegance and style and charisma coming out of your years. Plus a 'what fools these mortals be' twist to your smile.

People assure me that I hardly bumble at all any more, but I don't believe them.

Delia of course falls into the 'all must love her and despair' camp.

Just so you know.

[papersky.livejournal.com]

I also thought this when watching Stage Beauty and in fact tried to figure out a scenario where Richard had taken an assumed name and started to act -- because it's almost period, give or take world. But it failed me when Ned got beaten up, which would never have happened to St Vier. Must be this world's version of him, I thought, which is also interesting.

[calimac.livejournal.com]

... and I went, "Omigod! What's Richard doing in this movie?"

Which reminds me of:

"My dear, my heart is BROKEN! I have seen the perfect Peter Wimsey. Height, voice, charm, smile, manner, outline of features, everything - and he is - THE CHAPLAIN OF BALLIOL!!! What is the use of anything?"
- Dorothy L. Sayers

oh good

[burgundy.livejournal.com]

That was the one major role I was really stuck on in my own weird fantasy casting. I'm glad you found him.

[pdcawley.livejournal.com]

I didn't think you were scary. But then I fail to see why anyone should find obviously intelligent and strong willed women scary.

It doesn't stop 'em though.

[handworn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, being interrupted and told about something not really apropos of anything currently in your life must be nonplussing at best, though it would have been cool if he'd been a fan of yours in turn. At the core of "coolness" as an idea is an apparently widespread belief that a person has their act together and doesn't need you, but the fact that even accomplished people like you feel that way sometimes about other accomplished people kind of gives the lie to that. I wonder whose talents Billy Crudup has been awestruck by.

[wheefactor.livejournal.com]

I just must say that that is one excellent choice (as is Billy Crudup for anything, but for St Vier is just the icing on the cake).

I'll be blunt: OMG, awesome.

[(Anonymous)]

Ah, yes, Billy Crudup. If you haven't seen Almost Famous, you should.

Thought Stage Beauty was wonderful for the first two-thirds and then rapidly failed to suspend my disbelief as to period, but I bought a copy anyway.

But if Crudup plays Richard whoever contrasts sufficiently to play Alec??

pk

[wheefactor.livejournal.com]

Oh my, the question of Alec still remains. I cannot imagine any actor (known to myself) taking on that role. And playing it well. But, perhaps someone will yet amaze me.

Thought Stage Beauty was wonderful for the first two-thirds and then rapidly failed to suspend my disbelief as to period, but I bought a copy anyway.

Yes, I thought Stage Beauty was sufficiently crafted, but the writing failed to stick to the period. (For example, Mr. Kynaston uses the word 'sex' as we know it today, rather than how it was meant in Restoration England.. and so on. Actually, I still have yet to find when the meaning of the word 'sex' deviated from 'gender'. Anyway, that was in--what? The first ten minutes. From there I just found myself being cynical.)

:D I have yet to see Almost Famous, but in turn I recommend to you Jesus' Son, if you haven't yet seen it.

[(Anonymous)]

Yes, I have seen Jesus' Son.

Alec might have been played by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers back around '98 (The Governess, Velvet Goldmine).

pk

[kayselkiemoon.livejournal.com]

woah.
you're right. Billy Crudup is St Vier. I especially see it in Stage Beauty (such a great film!). and you got to talk to him, and give him the book! *squee*

meanwhile, I'm madly excited about your Thomas the Rhymer gig at Johnny D's ^_^

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

I'm madly excited about your Thomas the Rhymer gig at Johnny D's


Me, too! Did you read that here, or does someone besides me actually check
http://www.sff.net/people/kushnerSherman/Kushner/upcoming.html
to see what I'm doing next?

(Thanks for reminding me - must put guitar in car, too!)

[kayselkiemoon.livejournal.com]

yes, I check sff.net ^_^ very useful!

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

God, I hate to disappear in the midst of this very interesting (to me, at least) conversation!! But I'm off to yet another Undisclosed Location to work on PRIVILEGE OF THE SWORD revisions (oh, Clare Danes 9 years ago would've made a great young Katherine!), this one even more rustic and remote than the last, and I don't think I'll have internet access. Back in a week or so - meanwhile, thanks for checking in! Must load car with groceries now -
e

[sovay]

Having recently seen Stage Beauty, I should like to add my vote: yes, absolutely. May he love the novel!