While it was previously announced that Julianne Moore was going to play Hillary Clinton in the movie, The Special Relationship, she’s now had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. However if you’re going to replace such a talented actress with anyone, thank God they’ve managed to sign up Hope Davis. Although best known for roles in smalller films like The Matador and Synedoche New York, she’s absolutely wonderful and we can really imagine her getting her teeth into the former first lady. Plus, she’s probably a better physical fit for the role.
The movie’s going into production on July 20th and sees screenwriter Peter Morgan continuing his dissection of the Tony Blair years after The Deal and The Queen. This one will focus on Blair’s unique and sometimes turbulent political relationship with Bill Clinton (the movie won’t look much at the George W. Bush years, despite reports to the contrary elsewhere).
Michael Sheen, who played the Prime Minister in Morgan’s other Blair efforts will return to the role, while Dennis Quaid is due to play Bill Clinton, and Helen McCrory will play Cherie Blair. While Peter Morgan was due to make his directorial debut with the movie, he’s now been replaced by Richard Loncraine (Wimbledon, Firewall).
As Morgan has shown a wonderful ability to turn politics into entertainment (he also scripted Frost/Nixon and Longford), and bringing a fresh perspective to things people think they already know, we have to say we have high hopes for The Special Relationship.