NF Grant: the movie

[Canadian]

Filmmakers have bought the rights to Ron Chernow's book Grant, planning to make a feature film.

https://www.google.ca/amp/deadline....-ron-chernow-bestseller-grant-1202198671/amp/

 

[mofederal]

I just have to ask why? A miniseries maybe, but a full length film, wouldn't even do him justice. You would have to take a specific, short period in his life for a movie. A lot of ground to cover, and it wouldn't take much to do him injustice.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

Filmmakers have bought the rights to Ron Chernow's book Grant, planning to make a feature film.

https://www.google.ca/amp/deadline....-ron-chernow-bestseller-grant-1202198671/amp/

This is great news and very exciting I agree with Mofed, it would be easy to do Grant an injustice with so much ground to cover, but something is better than nothing IMO Choices for actors to play Ulysses S. Grant?? My vote goes to Chris Pratt. Most of my other faves are too old to reprise the role of a younger Ulysses. At first, when I saw the link, I thought Leo was going to play Grant. I like Leo, too And Matt Damon... (oh God! I just hope they get it right...)

 

[nitrofd]

I saw notice of the yesterday,it was Lionsgate that bought the rights.

 

[Bruce Vail]

A partial film bio concentrating on 1861-1865 is a great idea!

I'm hoping for a big splashy Hollywood production with all the bells and whistles.

 

[Bruce Vail]

I'm voting for Gary Oldman to play Grant,

 

[Andy Cardinal]

I'm guessing it would be similar to how Lincoln is based off Team of Rivals. If so, I wonder which episode (of many possible) in Grant's life would be picked to make a good 2 hour movie?

 

[wausaubob]

Vicksburg.
Mrs. Grant is there to start with. Sherman, McPherson, McClernand, African-Americans, Fred Grant, David Porter, Charles Dana, and Lincoln and Halleck in Washington wondering about how it is going in Vicksburg.
Ends with the letter, "you were right and I was wrong".

 

[jackt62]

Could be an interesting film particularly if it focuses on a narrow segment of his life story (such as the period in spring 1864 when he takes command of the federal armies and coordinates the eastern and western offensives).

 

[Bruce Vail]

I'm guessing it would be similar to how Lincoln is based off Team of Rivals. If so, I wonder which episode (of many possible) in Grant's life would be picked to make a good 2 hour movie?

It certainly would have to include Appamattox.

 

[Irishtom29]

I'd concentrate on the western theater and how it formed Grant--if nothing else the western troops would look more interesting on screen than eastern ones. Do Galena at the outbreak of the rebellion and follow to Belmont. Then go to Chattanooga and being called to Washington, then go to Five Forks and running Lee down. Three acts. Concentrate on characters with cinematic potential to spice up Grant---Halleck, Sherman and Sheridan especially. And Lincoln of course.

Hire actors of the proper age and size for their roles. Use paid extras of the proper age and physical shape instead of using reenactors.

Hollywood buys many books, not so many are made into pictures. I don't think this one will be.

 

[Canadian]

Vicksburg.
Mrs. Grant is there to start with. Sherman, McPherson, McClernand, African-Americans, Fred Grant, David Porter, Charles Dana, and Lincoln and Halleck in Washington wondering about how it is going in Vicksburg.
Ends with the letter, "you were right and I was wrong".

Good idea!

 

[Andy Cardinal]

It certainly would have to include Appamattox.

I was going to pick Appomattox as the topic myself -- Five Forks to the surrender.

But I agree, a movie may never be actually made.

 

[JOHN42768]

As stated, it would have to be a narrow time frame or else it would become an epic

 

[Jimklag]

I'm voting for Gary Oldman to play Grant,

Gary Oldman would be great.

 

[leftyhunter]

I just have to ask why? A miniseries maybe, but a full length film, wouldn't even do him justice. You would have to take a specific, short period in his life for a movie. A lot of ground to cover, and it wouldn't take much to do him injustice.

I agree a mini series would be better. To much ground to cover from the Mexican American War to his dazed and confused civilian life. Grant served through the entire Civil War no 2 and a half hour movie could really cover all Grant did in four years.
Leftyhunter

 

[Cavalry Charger]

no 2 and a half hour movie could really cover all Grant did in four years.

Agreed. Same for any biographical feature. They'd highlight certain aspects and events, but could never cover the minutiae of those years. That could make it very unsatisfying for some people. I'm mostly concerned about who's going to play the part...

 

[shermans_march]

I'm guessing it would be similar to how Lincoln is based off Team of Rivals. If so, I wonder which episode (of many possible) in Grant's life would be picked to make a good 2 hour movie?

As I recall the Lincoln film covered 5 pages from Team of Rivals. These films are always tied to a popular book to get more audiences in the seats of the theater. If it was my choice I would love for them to focus on Grant's involvement in the Vicksburg campaign.

 

[shermans_march]

This is great news and very exciting I agree with Mofed, it would be easy to do Grant an injustice with so much ground to cover, but something is better than nothing IMO Choices for actors to play Ulysses S. Grant?? My vote goes to Chris Pratt. Most of my other faves are too old to reprise the role of a younger Ulysses. At first, when I saw the link, I thought Leo was going to play Grant. I like Leo, too And Matt Damon... (oh God! I just hope they get it right...)

I can see it now. Grant accepts Lee's surrender and they shake hands. Then Grant says to Lee," How do you like them apples?"

 

[cash]

The biggest drama is Grant vs. Lee, so you have to go with the Overland Campaign, then dispose of the siege of Petersburg with a few frames, then move to the Appomattox Campaign.