Woods to Play Giuliani in 'Rudy!'

The Associated Press ^ | 05/29/2002 1:53 PM EDT

[Sungirl]

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Emmy-winner James Woods will play former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in a two-hour cable movie to air later this year on USA Network.

"Rudy!" is expected to chronicle Giuliani's tenure as mayor of the nation's largest city, culminating with his work after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"Quality begets quality - and we couldn't be more excited about James Woods coming on board this project," said Jeff Wachtel, USA Network's executive vice president for series and long form programming.

"The depiction of Rudy Giuliani requires an actor of complexity and intelligence - two words that are synonymous with Jimmy's body of work."

Woods, 55, received Oscar nominations for his work in 1986's "Salvador" and 1996's "Ghosts of Mississippi." He also gave two Emmy award-winning performances during the 1980s for "Promise" and "My Name is Bill W."

The script for "Rudy!" is being written by Stanley Weiser, whose credits include "Wall Street,""Fatherland" for HBO and "Witness to the Mob" for NBC. The film will be based on the book "Rudy!" by The Village Voice senior editor Wayne Barrett.

[Sungirl]

Good Choice!

[blam]

Yup. I agree.

[barker]

Great choice. Last night O'Reilly replayed the interview with James Woods about the terrorists on his flight from Boston just before the 9/11 attack.

[SunStar]

"The depiction of Rudy Giuliani requires an actor of complexity and intelligence - two words that are synonymous with Jimmy's body of work."

Translation: James Woods is a conservative!

[cmsgop]

Right On!

[martin_fierro]

A bit of a stretch, but I can see it.

[montag813]

The film will be based on the book "Rudy!" by The Village Voice senior editor Wayne Barrett.

Hmmm. James Woods is all well and good. But a VILLAGE VOICE editor as the source? I have lost track of how many times the VV has portrayed Rudy as a Nazi on its covers.

[Burr5]

These things are always a little comical. Will they hit James' forehead with Nair or just shave it? Hope he doesn't come off as bad as Jon Voigt doing FDR. Woods is great, and I'm always happy to hear of any Hollywood Republican getting work (none of the usual suspects willing to take on this role?) but what kind of title is "Rudy!" for a movie? Wasn't that a football movie just new enough for me to grimace at another movie being called the same thing?

[Labyrinthos]

Execellent choice. A few weeks ago Kuby & Curtis, who anchor the morning drive time show on WABC radio in New York, were entertaining calls from people for suggestions regarding who should play "Rudy" in the inevitable movie that someone was sure to make. Woods was my first and only choice. He really is diamond among the Hollyweird scum.

[WorldWatcher1]

When I saw the article title I thought:

Tiger Woods is going to play golf with Giuliani in that Notre Dame football movie?

[Paul Atreides]

Get Kathy Bates to play Hillary. Of course, she'll have to dress down for the part.

[jaz.357]

I hope the movie starts off with the HELL HOLE that Times square was when RUDY took office juxtaposed to what it was ( IS ) when he left office.

[ARA]

They have to start somewhere and for a cable outlet USA, they probably got a good price for the rights to the article. Of course they will borrow from other sources as well... This happens all the time in Hollywood buy a cheap source and borrow from others...

James Woods will be great in this... He'll keep it honest.

[kayak]

bttt

[Sungirl]

Why would hillary get a part in that movie?

Maybe they can put her in the background somewhere at the end of the movie holding a sign "BUSH KNEW".

[Sungirl]

ANd the start of the movie could be of Chelsea running down the streets of NY....alone and scared ....covered with soot as the bldgs fall in the background....

[Paul Atreides]

Well, Rudy was the Whore of Babble-On's opponent.

[Paul Atreides]

Get Carrot Top to portray Chelsea.

[Sungirl]

hahah.....perfect match.

[savedbygrace]

That reminds me, "Rudy" (1993) starring Sean Astin never fails to jerk a few tears.