By Jake Coyle, Film Writer
TORONTO --George Clooney says the political campaign strategist drama "Our Brand Is Crisis" was sitting on the shelf when Sandra Bullock called up with a novel idea: Change the protagonist to a woman, and let her star in it.
Clooney and Bullock debuted the David Gordon Green-directed film on Friday at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film, inspired by the 2005 documentary of the same name, is about a fictional political strategist (Bullock) who runs an American-style campaign in a Bolivian election.
Though the lead had been written as a man, Bullock said little in the script needed to be altered.
"The character is basically the same, other than the sex," she said after the film's premiere. She also ribbed her former "Gravity" co-star, saying it was "a role George could have played, or maybe I could have played it better."
Clooney suggested such gender switches should happen more frequently in Hollywood.
"There's a lot more out there if people just started thinking," he said to applause.
"Our Brand Is Crisis," which Warner Bros. will release Oct. 30, was produced by Clooney and his producing partner, Grant Heslov. It drew mixed reviews at its Toronto premiere.
One of its scenes prompted Bullock and Clooney to again consider their interchangeability.
When the election heats up, Bullock's character moons the rival campaign from a bus window. Asked by an audience member if she acted out the scene, herself, Bullock claimed Clooney was her "butt double."
"George is a lot less hairy down there," said Bullock, while Clooney turned around for the audience. "Baby bottom, versus what I've got down there, which is a Chia Pet."
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More