Apparently “A Confederacy of Dunces” might finally be made into a movie. I can’t believe that Hollywood, which is grinding its way through the Nick at Nite canon after seemingly exhausting the Library of Congress, is finally getting around to this incredible gem. If you haven’t read this book, I beg of you to go out right now and find a copy and read it. I’ll wait.
Now, you see what I mean? Hilarious, grand and sad all at once. The only book I’ve ever read that made me laugh out loud while reading it – and I laughed so hard I thought I would burst.
And what a showpiece the lead role of Ignatius J. Reilly could be for the right actor. I used to think Robbie Coltrane would have been perfect, but he’s way too old now. Maybe Oliver Platt? Jack Black?
On one hand, I love this book too much to see the potential butchering it could face in the hands of Hollywood hacks. But in this case, I think I’ll take the chance.
A book that has been on my “read” list for a while now. Hmmmm, this is the second comment I have left tonight regarding books.
I too simultaneously anticipate and fear my favorite stories being made into movies. I’ll have to check this book out.
Oh! This news is causing my valve to constrict in a most uncomfortable fashion.
What marvelous news!
I propose the follwing cast list:
Horatio Sanz–Ignatius J. Reilly
Debbie Reynolds–Irene Reilly
Bebe Neuwirth–Lana Lee
Danni Ashe–(well, her name slips–the dancer)
Chris Rock–Jones
Joe Pesci–Mancuso
Rueben Blades–Mr. Gonzalez
Mae Questel–Trixie
Dennis Farina–Mr. Levy
Bette Midler–Mrs. Levy
Holland Taylor–Santa Battaglia
James Cromwell–Robichaux
Tom Waits–(the guy that owns Paradise Vendors)
Tina Fey–Myrna Minkoff
inside edition: hollywood wiil not hack this movie. it will start production next year by an independent filmmaker. ignatius will be played by phillip seymour hoffman. you will be pleased.
Drew Barrymore is an Exec. Producer…. That means she will play a large part in it, and the movie will be set in the 1980’s
I think that Ignatius should be played by
Michael Hagerty (Treeger, the superindendent
on Friends). He’s a spitting image of Ig.
i will no longer sit and watch as the cocks of hollywood once again shit upon my city and culture. if we allow this abomination to happen we are no better than the skidmarks on the silky draws of the whiney overpriced hacks who will once again show us how to turn an honest piece of liturary genious into celluloid diarreah. anyone who believes this is a good idea or even goes as far as to cast this disgrace should rot in some horrible hell hole. this will be stopped. watch your backs you west cost spoiledover poser degenerates…i will make an insignificant stain of you all.
Last Thursday, I was lucky enough to meet John McConnell, a New Orleans native who is a local celebrity for his portreyal of Ignatius on stage. He even posed for a statue of Ignatius which can be seen near the intersection of Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue. He told me that he has sent an audition tape to Mirimax in the hopes that they will contact him. He told me that John Goodman, often rumored to take the role, would turn it down because McConnel IS Igantius Reilly, and after meeting him in the flesh, I have to agree. When we parted, I said “I hope you get the role, for your sake, and the sake of the movie.” He replied, “I hope I get the role for the sake of NEW ORLEANS!” We can only hope….
I witnessed John McConnell as Ignatius Reilly last weekend in New Orleans (“Ignatiius On Stage”). Way too funny for Hollywood, but who knows, maybe someone at Miramax will exceed expectations. Also, Becky Allen was hilarious as Santa Battaglia. She did not hit a wrong note and even got laughs just standing there.
I always thought:
Ignatius: Wayne Knight in a fatsuit.
Irene Reilly: Jean Stapleton
Can’t remember any of the others I casted…
Tina Fey, perfect! That never occurred to me.
They have signed Olympia Dukakis to play Mrs. Reilly. Jones will be played by Mos Def. Drew Barrymore will have a role, but we don’t know which yet. I can only see her playing Darlene, but I don’t know, she might be able to pull off Myrna. It is so far only rumored that Philip Seymour Hoffman will play Ignatius. He definitely looks the part, except he’s going to have to gain some serious weight and he should expect to be typecasted forever if the movie is a success. Yes, James Cromwell would make the perfect Robichaux… I don’t know about having Joe Pesci as Mancuso, though.
What about the New Orleans accent? Actors NEVER get it
right. The whole cast should be from New Orleans, period.
I predict a casting disaster. It will probably be one of those “cartoon” movies.
Yaya
Jon Lovitz as Ignatius–just the right blend of pomposity and pathetic-ness.
Okay, it’s confirmed. Will Ferrell will play Ignatius. Whoa. For better or for worse, I can’t wait to see how THIS turns out. Lily Tomlin will also have a role.
After reading A Confederacy of Dunces and seeing John McConnell become Ignatus Reilly with such an incredible energy, it’s hard to imagine Will Farrell, or anyone for that matter, transform into Reilly quite like McConnell.
Confederacy is as close to a masterpiece as we shall see in our lifetimes. John Candy is the only actor who could have handled the role, may he rest in peace. I pray that Hollywood does not botch it. For the rest of everything, check out my web site at http://www.squarf.com