Well, at least it's not Miley Cyrus, right? Lifetime is teaming with History Channel who are looking to continue the miniseries success they had with "Hatfields & McCoys" (true story: this writer couldn't make it past the first part) with another tale of outlaws and young love. That's right, "Bonnie & Clyde" are getting ready to ride again, and as much as we frown at this idea, the two leads are actually some pretty decent choices.
Emile Hirsch and Brit actress Holliday Grainger ("Jane Eyre," "Anna Karenina") have been cast as the bank robbin' duo of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. While they're certainly not Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway (but c'mon, who is), they are two accomplished young actors that thankfully avoids Lifetime's usual stunt casting (see: everything they've ever produced). The four hour miniseries will tell the tale of the armed robber and small town waitress who go on the run together. But if we have any reservations about this project, it's because of two words: Bruce Beresford.
Yes, he's an Academy Award nominee, but the director has been treading water with middling/forgotten efforts for years now with fare such as "Peace, Love & Misunderstanding," "Mao's Last Dancer" and "The Contract." But the supporting cast is first string, with Holly Hunter as Bonnie's Mom and William Hurt as the Texas ranger who tracks down the criminal pair. So yeah, we'll see how this all turns out.
Fox has their own contemporary spin on "Bonnie & Clyde" in the works, but with this one out of the gate, it will leave the competition in the dust. No word yet on when official production will begin but it looks like things are coming together for lensing to start soon. [Deadline]
Bruce Beresford may have a few dogs under his belt (King David!) but they are not the fine films you mention. His "middling/forgotten efforts" are head and shoulders above what most directors ever give us. How can you overlook Tender Mercies and Breaker Morant? This is one of the world's few great directors. If he's making a Bonnie and Clyde film I'll be first in line to see it!
Thank god Miley Cyrus dropped out….she is little more than a 21st century Disney princess type. At least with Holliday Grainger, you have an actress with experience in playing edgy roles. I can't even begin to understand why little miss Hannah Montanna (stupid name for a tween character) was ever attached to this project in the first place…!