reiher@ucla-cs.UUCP (02/07/85)
For those of you who haven't heard, Stanley Kubrick's next film is to be
"Full Metal Jacket". I've heard few details. The story concerns the
Vietnam War, and the star is Anthony Michael Hall, who is best known for
his role as the geek in "Sixteen Candles" who spends most of the picture
trying to get hold of Molly Ringwald's panties. That's it for details.
For his entire career, Kubrick has had a taste for unlikely casting.
George C. Scott had little comedy experience prior to "Dr. Strangelove".
The elegant and self-possessed James Mason proved a perfect, if surprising,
choice for Humbert Humbert in "Lolita". "2001" was cast with unknowns.
People still shake their heads over Kubrick's choice of Ryan O'Neal for
the lead in "Barry Lyndon". "The Shining" might have been better served
by an actor with less built-in craziness than Jack Nicholson, and I never
pictured Shelley Duvall as a maternal tower of strength. Perhaps Hall is
perfect for the part, but one can't help but be surprised by Kubrick's
choice, particularly when he can get almost any actor in the business.
Don't expect this film for a couple of years. I don't think shooting has
started, and Kubrick always takes his time, in preproduction, shooting, and
postproduction.
--
Peter Reiher
reiher@ucla-cs.arpa
{...ihnp4,ucbvax,sdcrdcf}!ucla-cs!reiher