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Eli Roth Officially a ‘Bastard’
Over the last few weeks rumors have been swirling about Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio being eyed as the leads lending credence to this sea change. Now Variety breaks the news that QT has cast his buddy (or disciple depending on how you look at it) fellow director/wanna-be actor Eli Roth in the film and I’m left scratching my head. That’s right, the Hostel auteur will play Sgt. Donny Donowitz – or The Bear Jew to friends and foes – a bat swinging bastard from Boston with anger issues and a chip on his shoulder.
Wasn’t Inglorious Bastards supposed to be a transitional picture for Quentin Tarantino? He’s gone on record saying that this was the first time he wrote a screenplay without any actors in mind, freeing him from any preconceived notions of who his characters are or can be. Over the last few weeks rumors have been swirling about Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio being eyed as the leads lending credence to this sea change. Now Variety breaks the news that QT has cast his buddy (or disciple depending on how you look at it) fellow director/wanna-be actor Eli Roth in the film and I’m left scratching my head.
That’s right, the Hostel auteur will play Sgt. Donny Donowitz – or The Bear Jew to friends and foes – a bat swinging bastard from Boston with anger issues and a chip on his shoulder. Adam Sandler, who has been oft rumored with the project, would have been perfect for the role with his pent of rage shtick he has cultivated through his entire career. I can’t see Roth pulling off the physicality or the gravitas of the character as I read it. Most importantly I just don’t think Roth can act, period. He’s fine as a small supporting character with few lines, but not in a role as big as this. I don’t like where things are heading, but Tarantino has earned my respect in the casting department over the years so I’m still giving him the benefit of the doubt.
The other major bit of news to come out of the Variety piece is some clarification on DiCaprio’s non-casting as SS Col. Hans Landa. It seems the director had a change of heart and now desires a German actor play the role. It would have been interesting to see the superstar take on such a different role, but the part might be better serviced by an older actor. At least Brad Pitt is still very much in talks to play the leader of the Basterds Lt. Aldo Raine, a role he is absolutely built for. QT should be firming up the cast very soon so we won’t have to wait long to see what the man is cooking up for his WWII opus.
But seriously, Eli Roth? Are we sure there wasn’t a breakdown in communication and it’s actually Tim Roth? A guy can hope right…
