Hi eveyone if you were going to make life story of John Wayne who would you pick to play the part?
Perhaps: Randy Quaid(older Duke) <_<

Boy, Chance,

That's a very tough question. One that will have me thinking before I answer it. I don't think anyone could play Duke in anything. He was one of a kind. Randy Quaid is an interesting choice, but I'll really have to put that in thought. Great post. Looking forward to hearing others answer that one.

Hondo B)

Hey Chance,
I agree there is nobody that could come even close to John Wayne, but what about Patrick Wayne? He has the same blue eyes!

It would be neat to have a documentry movie on the Duke! I know I would watch!

Stacy

Why not have the Duke himself play the part? If they can use him as they recently did in a beer commercial, why not use the technology available to get it done with the Duke?

Ever since I saw that beer commercial...I have dreamed of just one more new western starring John Wayne....mixing in with contemporary actors...doesn't it give you a chill just thinking about it? I think it would be great!

GSP

You know, Ermal Williamson (JW impersonator/look-alike) is the one who has done the Coors commercials, with the approval of the Wayne family.

He recently received the Cloney Award for 2003, for having the Most Outstanding Impersonation of a Male Legend (John Wayne), from the International Guild of Celebrity Impersonators and Tribute Artists (IGCITA). He was voted this honor by over 400 of his peers, and received this first place award in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Currently, he is on his way to Branson, Missouri for a 5 month gig at the Owens Theater, where he will be doing "An Evening with John Wayne and Gary Cooper" and while he is there, it will be DHC (Duke's Hollywood Cowboys) Days October 16-19. Ermal's pretty busy, but I think he would feel honored to make a John Wayne movie.

Chester

Thanks for the info Chester...then he is our guy...he had me fooled!

I may be out on a limb here, but I can see Brian Denehe pulling off the part of Duke in his later years, Same gruff appearance and I think he could learn Duke's mannerisms. This is a hard one to think out. There is no other Duke. Imagination would have to be used to pull it off. dukefan1

hi everyone,

here's my thoughts he would have to be 6foot 2inches plus built like a brick dunny (outhouse) have the perfect drall have what they call the rolling walk of one who is use to being on a horse all the time, no one modern actor comes to mind so we may have to use computers to make our man and one more thing he would have to have that sex appeal. good luck finding your man. :D

cheers smokey

Hi Duke Fan yes Brian Denehey has possibilities I thought about him some time ago.There was a guy back in the 70's and 80's he always played a bad guy he also I think played a colonel in the Andromeda Strain always thought he'd make a good Duke.
Brian Keith would have played a good duke to but to old now. :D

Chance,

Brian Keith died back in 1997 to cancer (I think lung). He was born in 1921, so he died at the age of 76 years. He would be 83 today. I remember the day he died. I liked him as an actor, so I was sad to see him die.

Cheers, Hondo B)

Brian Keith is dead all right. Didn't he shoot himself because he was so sick? I liked him especially in Nevada Smith, teaching McQueen to shoot straight.
Ethan Wayne would have the looks and right age to play his father.
Michael Wayne has talked about a biography for years and years, but I guess they won't get it off the ground now.

Yea I had heard that Brian Keith did shoot himself, what a lose he was a pretty good actor!

Brian Denehey would be pretty good, but I still think Patrick Wayne would be the best! He looks so much like his Dad!

And that was really sad about Michael. Does anyone know what Ethan Wayne looks like?

I still think Patrick would be the best! Just sharing, so be nice!

Stacy

Thanks guys,

Your right, he did shoot himself. I forgot about that. He was dying of cancer, and really hurting from the pain of the cancer. It was terminal, and he didn't want to endure the disease, so he killed himself.

Stacy go to http://amazon.imdb.com/Name?Wayne,%20Ethan and you will see some pictures of Ethan on this web site. Patrick is getting pretty old. He is 65 years old. Ethan is around 41.

Hondo B)

Hi Hondo,

I did see a picture of Ethan Wayne, and tried to find a recent photo of Patrick Wayne, but could not find anything. Do you have any web sites that would show recent pictures? Just wondering what he looks like now, I didn't realize he was that old already. But then when you watch all the John Wayne movies all the time like I do, the reality of when the movies were made just doesn't matter.

I do think Ethan Wayne would work for playing his dad!

Thanks for the info!

Stacy

Hi fellas
the idea of a John Wayne biography, produced by Michael Wayne himself, was tossed around since the beginning of the Eighties. Both Ethan and Patrick said they didn't feel they were up to the job.
At one point they actually considered David Hassellhoff (don't laugh! that was before his Babewatch-days, and study his face closely - there is - or better: was - a resemblence to the young JW)
Anyway, they never got it off the ground. Maybe that's good. Whenever I look at some of the movie biografies I know I rather READ the biografie.

I would go with Patrick Wayne. I thought the beer com. were computer generated John Wayne, or master editing. If there was someone doing the Duke that well, He's the man for the spot.

Brian
Tulalip Wa

Just happened to run across this, which is a bit freaky, 'cause I was seriously considering asking this very question. :blink: But in thinking over it, I had always wondered why none of The Duke's movies (to my knowledge) had ever been remade. I think the reason is simple; right now, there isn't a single well-known actor today who would make a decent copy of John Wayne. At least I can't think of one. I mean who wants to see someone like Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp playing John M. Stryker, Rooster J. Cogburn or George Washington McLintock? :uhuh: Those guys are great actors to be sure. Personally I think Depp is one of the greatest underappreciated actors of the day. But seriously? Who out there today would make a decent cowboy (other than Eastwood)? I just don't think there are any. Not right now anyway. And DEFINITELY NOT in Duke's league.

As for who could actually play J.W.? um ... :blink: uh ... :uhuh: Michael Douglas maybe (in later years of course)? Maybe an earlier Duke could be played by ... wow. I have no idea. <_<

I would go for Tom Selleck. I just put "Crossfire Trail" on DVD and that was Duke :cowboy: all the way in a Different Body!!! Or if we could get Chester 7777 to practice with the Silver Dollar He could do it!!!! :rolleyes: Chilibill :cowboy:

I agree with you Bill, Tom Selleck is a very under used actor by Hollywierd!! But, I think his politics get in the way too much for mainstream Hollywierd producers, directors and filming companies.

Hi Viper, Tom Selleck is under used by hollywoodlanders because he is also a conservative and that he has enough power that he can pick n choose what roles he feels like doing and can also tell some of the leftshirts to stuff it.

We grew up in different parts of the country, but we were cut from the same cloth Ringo!!!! :lol: :lol:

To my way of thinking, no one could ever play John Wayne. He was too much an individual, an icon, that it would just be impossible for anyone to portray him in a totally believable way - there would always be something missing in the portrayal. This may be why, though there has been talk of doing a life-story of JW, the Wayne family has never gotten further than talk on the subject.
Cheers - Jay ^_^

:D Thanks for the nice compliment Viper :D

Jay,

I haven't heard anything about a life story about the Duke. How long ago was that discussed? I'm glad that it was only talk. I don't think the movie industry would do John Wayne justice, and I just rather just leave him and the family alone. No one and I mean no one can ever play John Wayne. He's one of a kind, and that's my opinion.

Cheers B)

I would agree Hondo. No movies about the Duke are a good thing. It would probably be a unofficial autobiography with lies and speculation.

But, if I had to pick some one it would be Tom Selleck.

Although i would like not to see anything of the nature made.....if i had to choose anyone to play the duke,Tom Selleck, also gets my vote.

-IHW

Originally posted by General Sterling Price@Jun 25 2003, 07:43 PM
Why not have the Duke himself play the part? If they can use him as they recently did in a beer commercial, why not use the technology available to get it done with the Duke?

Ever since I saw that beer commercial...I have dreamed of just one more new western starring John Wayne....mixing in with contemporary actors...doesn't it give you a chill just thinking about it? I think it would be great!

GSP
1609

FUNNY YOU SAY THAT ABOUT A NEW JOHN WAYNE MOVIE I WAS JUST WATCHING THE FIGHTING KENTUCKIAN WAS THINKING THAT WITH CREATIVE EDITING, COMPUTER TECHNOLOLOGY AND MIXED IN CONTEMPARY ACTORS THIS COULD BE TRANSFORMED INTO A PREQUEL TO THE ALAMO WITH AN EARLIER STORY OF DAVY CROCKETT. :cowboy:

No one could play John Wayne.

But then, I think the very idea of an actor playing an actor is a bit odd. There is a made-for-TV movie on American television tonight about "Mork & Mindy" and they hired people to play Robin Williams & Pam Dawber (who were playing Mork & Mindy). That's just freaky to me.

Of course, it's fair to mention that Cate Blanchett won an Oscar for playing Katharine Hepburn! Again: freaky. It's like the movie world turning the camera around on itself. Meta & reflexive stuff like that always kind of twirls my mind. It's a bit like looking at a mirrored reflection of yourself in a different mirror... you know how your mirrored selves keep getting smaller and smaller and smaller and disappearing into a tunnel of infinity... ?

In terms of Duke's films being remade - if it's something like The Fighting Kentuckian, let them go for it if they want, I guess. But for the bigger or more famous films, good luck to them - they'll need it. Ethan Edwards or Tom Dunson or Sean Thornton played by anyone else would unfortunately become someone else playing John Wayne playing Ethan or Tom or whoever. There was so much of himself in each one of JW's characterizations. It would be incredibly tough to escape his lengthy shadow. I suppose the other thing that might happen is that the actor in question would be trying so hard to avoid trying to look like JW that they'd blow it some other way and wind up looking ridiculous.

Howdy!
I'd have to agree with the sentiment that no one could really play John Wayne. I don't think it would really work for all of his fans. I mean, first off, we all would expect whoever played Duke to really be Duke, otherwise it just wouldn't be the same. And the pressure on the actor would be unbelievable. I think he would either try to hard to be Duke and fail, or he would try to portray his own impressions of Duke. I don't think either of these would work. I think if anyone is going to "portray" John Wayne, it should be limited to 45 minute or 60 minute one man shows with Ermal Williamson or Gene Howard. I don't think anything else would really work.

Colorado Bob

Originally posted by InHarmsWay@Apr 5 2005, 09:53 AM
Although i would like not to see anything of the nature made.....if i had to choose anyone to play the duke,Tom Selleck, also gets my vote.

-IHW
15815

TOM SELLECK IS THE ONLY STAR OF ANY CALIBER MAKING WESTERNERS TODAY

TOM SELLECK IS THE ONLY STAR OF ANY CALIBER MAKING WESTERNERS TODAY

Not to get a war started but a star of his caliber if not higher has made a western lately, Kevin Costner. Open Range was the movie, and in my eyes it was quit good.

But, like I said I don't want this to start a flame war because I know how some people feel about Costner. Also, I stated that Tom Selleck would be my only choice to play the Duke if there was ever to be, god forbid, a film made of his life.

I want to address the Tom Selleck playing John Wayne character in a movie about Duke.

He just turned 60 years old back in January 29. I think he's a little too old to play Duke in his early years. You have to look to younger actors if you want to get the whole story. Selleck might have been a good choice say maybe 30 years ago, but I think he's too old now. I admitted that the size is pretty close. He's 6'4".

In my opinion you have to find those who are somewhere around 28 through 38 years. Now who do you think could play a young Duke? I thought about Joaquin Phoenix, who played in Ladder 49, Signs, The Village, Hotel Rwanda, Gladiator and the upcoming film, Walk the Line, playing the character Johnny Cash. The only problem is he's 5'8". Maybe a little short to play Duke but a very good actor.

Cheers B)

Originally posted by SXViper+Apr 6 2005, 07:24 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SXViper @ Apr 6 2005, 07:24 PM)</div>Not to get a war started but a star of his caliber if not higher has made a western lately, Kevin Costner. Open Range was the movie, and in my eyes it was quit good.

But, like I said I don't want this to start a flame war because I know how some people feel about Costner. Also, I stated that Tom Selleck would be my only choice to play the Duke if there was ever to be, god forbid, a film made of his life.
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<!--QuoteBegin-Hondo Duke Lane@Apr 6 2005, 08:27 PM
I want to address the Tom Selleck playing John Wayne character in a movie about Duke.*

He just turned 60 years old back in January 29.* I think he's a little too old to play Duke in his early years.* You have to look to younger actors if you want to get the whole story.* Selleck might have been a good choice say maybe 30 years ago, but I think he's too old now.* I admitted that the size is pretty close.* He's 6'4".

In my opinion you have to find those who are somewhere around 28 through 38 years.* Now who do you think could play a young Duke?* I thought about Joaquin Phoenix, who played in Ladder 49, Signs, The Village, Hotel Rwanda, Gladiator and the upcoming film, Walk the Line, playing the character Johnny Cash.* The only problem is he's 5'8".* Maybe a little short to play Duke but a very good actor.

Cheers* B)
15845


I agree with SXViper,I did really enjoy Open Range...and I dont believe Tom Selleck is the only good actor making western today.

As for Hondo's suggestion on Joaquin Phoenix,they would need to prop the poor guy up like 8 inches,I dont think he has the character to play the Duke let alone the size....he wouldnt be very convincing.Although he is a terrific actor...

-IHW

Originally posted by Hondo Duke Lane@Apr 4 2005, 05:49 PM
Jay,

I haven't heard anything about a life story about the Duke.* How long ago was that discussed?* I'm glad that it was only talk.* I don't think the movie industry would do John Wayne justice, and I just rather just leave him and the family alone.* No one and I mean no one can ever play John Wayne.* He's one of a kind, and that's my opinion.

Cheers* B)
15807


I agree with you. I think if Hollywood ever tried the film would be rated R and Duke himself said "I read someplace that I used to make B-pictures. Hell, they were a lot farther down the alphabet than that...but not as far down as R and X. I think any man who makes an X-rated picture ought to be made to take his own daughter to see it..." (quote from Pilar Wayne's book-Pg 280)

The sad part is today. Many film makers would proudly take their daughter!

The sad part is today. Many film makers would proudly take their daughter!

Unfortunately that statement is sad but, true. Seems the people in showbiz get more and more out of touch with the people who write there checks, us!!!!!!! :lol: :lol:

only the duke himself could play the part. there was only one john wayne and then just may be the look a like in the coors beer spot could hanlde it because he fooled me :P :P

Originally posted by deduke@sbcglobal.net@Apr 8 2005, 07:51 PM
only the duke himself could play the part. there was only one john wayne and then just may be the look a like in the coors beer spot could hanlde it because he fooled me :P* :P
15888


the worst voice impersonation ever lol...

ok use the coors guy with rich littles voice

Hello everyone.

I don't think anyone could play the Duke on film, no one around at the moment has his size and movement let alone his looks.

i agree only duke could play himself but as we all know that is not going to happen so like chester 7777 said ermal williamson did the coors commerical and he fooled me beside the wayne family gave him the ok and its my understanding that the family is very selective about any thing that has to do with the duke. so i say give mr. williamsom a vote and throw in rich little to do the voice over. its been 29 years since the duke made his last movie and I for one need a JOHN WAYNE film. I am so tired of thses new cowboys film by these young new actor who couldnt shine the dukes boots

deduke@sbcglobal.net,

I see that somehow we've neglected to "officially" welcome you to the John Wayne Message Board - so WELCOME!! :D We're happy you've joined our happy little band of Duke fans (that is short for fan-atics, right?? :lol: )!

I think that Ermal is currently pretty busy with his live stage show, from what I understand. Although I'm sure if he was offered the chance to play the Duke in a movie about the Duke, he'd be there in a heartbeat.

Chester :newyear:

chester i agree with you but how do you go about getting hollywood to listen. i think people would be lined up wanting to see a movie about the duke. i am just starting to get involed on this site because when i first signed up i was just starting to learn about computer as this is my first one. some how if hollywood was all of a sudden hit with tons of email from duke fans may be that would work. but where would you send the emails. help us chester you being a senior member you seem to know your way around.

Like I said earlier, I don't want to see a Hollywood version of a John Wayne bio. They would cut him to pieces. Look at the movie, The Aviator and how they chewed up Howard Hughes and he's one of them. I didn't see the movie yet, but heard a lot about the man.

As for Ermal, isn't he an impersonate? Acting is a little different than an impersonator. And isn't he a little too old himself? Just asking.

Cheers B)

no matter what hollywood could do or the person who would play the duke would it be as good as the one and only duke could do it but at least we would once again have the image up on the silver screen of the great john wayne so that the younger people could get to know him. when i was 8 years old i remember that i didnt know who al jolson was until i see his life story movie with a young actor by the name of larry parks who did a outstanding job playing al jolson. we all know that we can never bring the duke back but we can keep his memory alive with the younger people. so once again members lets try to get the dukes life story made :jump: :jump: :jump: :angel1: :newyear: :cowboy:

I have been pondering on this for quite some time. Selleck and Coster are obvious choices as they are about the only good western actors left (don't forget Duvall). But one who might escape most people's thought would be Val Kilmer. He was excellent in Tombstone and Thunderheart. He has great intensity and physically fits the bill.

Another great one would be the more obscure Brad Johnson. He is a wonderful horseman and has a great feel for westerns. Come to think of it, Johnson would be the guy I would pick.

dont know who brad johnson is but no way val kilmer hes to young robert duvall is to small and beside rooster already killed him off. tom selleck would be ok :cowboy: :cowboy: :cowboy: :cowboy:

You know I forgot about Brad Johnson. If people forget who he is, he was in Flight of the Intruder with Danny Glover and Willam Dafoe. He was also in the made for TV movie Crossfire Trail which was shown on TNT if I remember correctly. He is a noted outdoorsman who is seen quit often in hunting shows. He has a ranch out west I believe and is quit the accomplished horseman like kwirtj said earlier. I still think Tom Selleck would be a better choice at this time but Brad Johnson is one to consider. Here is a picture of him, this may jog your memory.

Brad Johnson photo (http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/1083/Events/1083/wi20010301_BradJohnson_Granitz_153559.jpg?path=pga llery&path_key=Johnson,%20Brad%20(II))

Johnson was also in "Rough Riders" with Tom Berringer and Sam Elliot. He started off as kind of a weasly coward, but in the end he come through as a hero.

Any way you look at it Some One is going to make a Film about The Duke, and I still will go for Tom Selleck as Duke. :cowboy: But SXViper you might be onto something with Brad Johnson and "Crossfire Trail." Chilibill :cowboy:

well i agree that tom selleck might be ok but i for got about sam elliot and brad johnson might with a little make up. i agree with brooks some one is going to make a film about the duke. and with the war going on in iraq we need the duke around to build the morale. :search: :search: :search: :cowboy: :cowboy: :cowboy:

It's going to be tough and rough to fill the boots of the ol Duke. Personally just seeing Tom Selleck to play, portray, and or act as the duke on screen would be kinda different. I have seen him in the western movies and all that good stuff. He is very attentive to the western culture now for sometime, but I just don't see him as the Duke.
This Brad Johnson fella that's been talked about these past few post might be one to consider, after seeing his picture and all. He might be the one, but still going to be tough.

If anyone has seen the movie "Always" with Richard Dreyfus and Holly Hunter, you will see Brad Johnson do an immitation of the Duke. It wasn't half bad, but could use some work.

If anyone has seen the movie "Always" with Richard Dreyfus and Holly Hunter, you will see Brad Johnson do an immitation of the Duke. It wasn't half bad, but could use some work.

I agree with alot of you on the idea that they just should not make a film about the Duke's life. They would never be able to do him justice. There was alot more to the man that they would never be able to cast or pick up on film, and I don't think a weak portrayal of the Duke would be right. With all respect to everyone mentioned to play the role, I just don't think anyone could do it properly.

Baby Sister

:cowboy: :cowboy:

well its been almost 2 years since this question was posted and hollywood dont seem to be interested or have i read any thing about any type of movie. as i email this i am watching the hellfighters and its hard to realize that the duke has been gone near 26 years. one good thing about movies is you can always find a john wayne movie on tv :cowboy: :cowboy: :cowboy: :cowboy: :cowboy: :cowboy: :cowboy:

Originally posted by Baby Sister@Apr 14 2005, 05:23 PM
I agree with alot of you on the idea that they just should not make a film about the Duke's life. They would never be able to do him justice.
:cowboy:* :cowboy:
16044

Considering the mindset of Hollyweird today, I wouldn't let those people get closer to John Wayne than a hundred foot pole - every slanderous and baseless rumor that has come down the pike would find its way into a biographical film, and that would be awful - like you say, it would NOT do him justice at all. Now if you got Mel Gibson to produce it, maybe it would be factual . . . .

Chester :newyear:

Hi

And if you swopped the English for every baddie that John Wayne has ever played against it would truly be a Mel Gibson film.

Regards

Arthur