Here’s your first look at Dominic Cooper in Lee Tamahori’s 80’s-set thriller “The Devil’s Double” where the actor will play both Uday Hussein, the eldest son of Saddam, and an army lieutenant named Latif Yahia, a childhood friend of Uday’s who is eventually blackmailed into being his body double.
Adapted for the screen by Michael Thomas from Yahia’s autobiography on the whole ordeal, the film follows Latif as he is forced to become a double for one of Iraq’s most powerful and hated men — learning to walk, talk and look like him as well as experiencing the extravagant lifestyle that comes with it. However, in Sarrab (Ludivine Sagnier), Uday’s notorious concubine, he finds an ally in his attempt to escape the lifestyle that is forced upon him after his family’s lives were threatened. As the website’s motto reads, Latif has to “play the part or suffer the consequences.”
“It’s a gangster film with no limits,” Cooper told Total Film’s print edition. “Uday has everything at his fingertips in a lawless society where he’s in complete control. He’s a gangster who loves cars, money, women, drugs… He was a seriously messed-up fucker.”
Sounds like (a) fascinating role(s) for Cooper and ambitious, to say the least, for an actor who hasn’t exactly had a breakout role yet. He’ll next been seen in Stephen Frears’ Cannes entry “Tamara Drewe” and just scored the role of Howard Stark in Joe Johnston’s “Captain America: The First Avenger.”
Production on the Belgian-backed project began earlier this year in Malta with the project offered up at this year’s Berlin Film Market for what looks likely to be a 2011 release.
was there any confirmation of him playing Stark, appart from a pasing mention in Salon, before a interview about a different film, where they don't even talk about it?
"It's a gangster film with no limits"
So won't be seeing that one!
Sorry but a more interesting movie would have one looking at his relationship with brother Qusay and his loss of favoured son status but yeah if this is 'gangster movie with no limits' then yeah I will stick with the Guy Rochies of this world.
Who know's the movie could be better but Cooper's idiot description just puts me off,
Ugh, white people playing Arabs.
"Ugh, white people playing Arabs"
I agree. I'm sure there are tons willing Iraqi actors just searching for any kind of role who are constantly overlooked in favor of darkish skinned white folks. It's a shame. And Sarrab..is she supposed to be Iraqi too? Cause super yikes to Ludivine Sagnier.
Regardless of his race, Cooper does resemble Uday Hussein. Maybe he is not as tall but definitely has his face.
Also, what do you me "White people playing Arabs"? Ummm, have you checked the U.S. Census' race codes?? Arabs are considered under the white category.
Not all Arabs look the same and many do have light eyes and hair and very fair skin. Depending on what part of the Arab world you come from, Arabs come in ALL shades and color!
Go get some education about the diversity of Middle Eastern and North African peoples before you make ignorant comments like that one.
FYI: My BF is from Lebanon and he has hazel eyes, naturally light brown hair and white skin because like many Lebanese people, he is mixed with French 🙂