Jude Law confirmed to play Ian Curtis — Forum Archive

3 Aug 2004, 17:29

Jude Law is reported to have signed a deal to take on the role of tragic Joy Division singer Ian Curtis.

The role is an unusual one for the British actor, who had recent big screen success in the American Civil War film Cold Mountain.

The film has been backed by Hollywood and is apparently based on the book by Curtis' widow, Deborah.

Curtis committed suicide in 1980 when he was only 23 years old.

He is remembered as one of the UK's most troubled and talented musicians.

The surviving members of the band went on to form New Order.

Their classic hit Blue Monday was inspired by Curtis' suicide.

Bass guitarist Peter Hook said Law was "not a bad choice".

But he said he would have preferred to have seen Sean Harris reprise his role for the biopic, having played Curtis in 24 Hour Party People.

3 Aug 2004, 17:36

You have to understand my surprise... I opened my browser and that was one of the front news on my ISP's page (in french!).. :eek:

Gee, it Jude Law gets this impact, it'll be good for the movie I guess.

3 Aug 2004, 17:37

I agree with Hooky on this, but Sean Harris said he never wanted to play Ian Curtis again (can't blame him). Jude Law looks nothing like Ian and he's ten years too old anyway, but you never know, he may have what it takes to do, what is surely, a very demanding role.

3 Aug 2004, 18:14

According to previous news article:

He added: "He has just finished a couple of films in which the only thing he listened to was Joy Division and New Order [the band which the band mates formed after Curtis' death].

Fine with me... movie magic will make Jude look younger (anyways, he looks already younger than his age), plus he's an oscar nominated actor... so he's not bad!

And for sure, this means exposure... so basically, this will help New Order and in the long run, it's us, the fans that will be rewarded.

Keep the faith!

3 Aug 2004, 19:03

Blue Monday was inspired by Ian's suicide? That's news to me. Except for that whole Sunday-Monday thing discussed not long ago.

3 Aug 2004, 19:21

Originally posted by His Holiness, The Pope Blue Monday was inspired by Ian's suicide? That's news to me. Except for that whole Sunday-Monday thing discussed not long ago.

I think I remember (far memory... not too clear) that the band found out Ian killed himself on a monday...

But I might be wrong!!

3 Aug 2004, 19:45

Originally posted by Spotnick > Originally posted by His Holiness, The Pope> Blue Monday was inspired by Ian's suicide? That's news to me. Except for that whole Sunday-Monday thing discussed not long ago.

I think I remember (far memory... not too clear) that the band found out Ian killed himself on a monday...

But I might be wrong!! Nope. He killed himself on a Sunday and Monday was the day they were supposed to fly to America.

But I don't believe it has anything to do with the song.

3 Aug 2004, 21:24

Originally posted by His Holiness, The Pope Blue Monday was inspired by Ian's suicide?

That quote comes directly from the Claude Flowers book, Dreams Never End. I've never ever heard it substantiated anywhere else. Mind you, Mr Flowers waxes lyrical about how you can hear Barney clear his throat and spit on the floor during Thieves Like Us, and how only a wacky way out there cutting edge band like New Order could have got away with leaving it on the record. Which is fine, except that it's Lonesome Tonight that he should be talking about...

3 Aug 2004, 21:42

I am still not comfortable with the idea of an Ian Curtis film. Maybe because Ian is so personal to me. Maybe if I knew that the filmmakers loved Joy Division as much as I do, I would be more enthusiastic about it.

3 Aug 2004, 23:21

i think it will be a good film. give it a chance... they haven't begun pre-production yet.

3 Aug 2004, 23:39

Originally posted by 5 8 6 I am still not comfortable with the idea of an Ian Curtis film. Maybe because Ian is so personal to me. Maybe if I knew that the filmmakers loved Joy Division as much as I do, I would be more enthusiastic about it.

Hey, this is going to be a big Hollywood production... I'm sure they'll come up with a happy ending: Ian Curtis does go water ski-ing with Bernard after all that fateful Saturday; as a result, he is too tired to watch the late night film, and has a good night's sleep. The Sunday morning, with a clear head, he phones up Annick Honoré, and together they run off to Blackpool. There, they buy a yacht, and the final shot is of the two of them setting out in open sea...

Annick Honoré, I think, is the one person in the world who will dread to see this film coming out... Will she still be able to keep the low profile she has kept for so long now? Could Deborah Curtis' motive for going ahead with this stupid idea of a big film be to settle a score?

4 Aug 2004, 00:20

He wouldn't have been my choice, but I'll be happy if his performance proves me wrong. As has been said, he's pretty well known and will give the film a bit of oooomph in recognition terms, which can only be good.

4 Aug 2004, 00:33

I have to say that I think that the more new people that get exposed to JD/NO the better...if this pic exposes a new generation to the music that we all love, it can't be a bad thing can it?

I agree that it will probably take some liberties with the real events but who really cares...its just a movie.

4 Aug 2004, 00:38

Also, am I the only one who thinks that its a bit ironic that if it is true that Ian really had a fascination with film that he has become the subject of one?

4 Aug 2004, 04:28

Next step... who'll play the rest of the band and Tony Wilson this time? :D

4 Aug 2004, 05:42

Originally posted by little boy lost > Originally posted by 5 8 6> I am still not comfortable with the idea of an Ian Curtis film. Maybe because Ian is so personal to me. Maybe if I knew that the filmmakers loved Joy Division as much as I do, I would be more enthusiastic about it.

Hey, this is going to be a big Hollywood production... I'm sure they'll come up with a happy ending: Ian Curtis does go water ski-ing with Bernard after all that fateful Saturday; as a result, he is too tired to watch the late night film, and has a good night's sleep. The Sunday morning, with a clear head, he phones up Annick Honoré, and together they run off to Blackpool. There, they buy a yacht, and the final shot is of the two of them setting out in open sea...

Annick Honoré, I think, is the one person in the world who will dread to see this film coming out... Will she still be able to keep the low profile she has kept for so long now? Could Deborah Curtis' motive for going ahead with this stupid idea of a big film to settle a score? There was a thread about Annick before, let's just leave her alone.

4 Aug 2004, 05:45

Originally posted by Old Blue > Originally posted by His Holiness, The Pope> Blue Monday was inspired by Ian's suicide?

That quote comes directly from the Claude Flowers book, Dreams Never End. I've never ever heard it substantiated anywhere else. Mind you, Mr Flowers waxes lyrical about how you can hear Barney clear his throat and spit on the floor during Thieves Like Us, and how only a wacky way out there cutting edge band like New Order could have got away with leaving it on the record. Which is fine, except that it's Lonesome Tonight that he should be talking about... As far as i know the only songs written about Ian's death are "The Him" and "ICB" (Ian Curtis Buried) both from Movement.

4 Aug 2004, 07:40

Originally posted by Spotnick Next step... who'll play the rest of the band and Tony Wilson this time? :D

He has already had alan partridge, what about David Brent?

4 Aug 2004, 10:51

Originally posted by little boy lost Annick Honoré, I think, is the one person in the world who will dread to see this film coming out... Will she still be able to keep the low profile she has kept for so long now? Could Deborah Curtis' motive for going ahead with this stupid idea of a big film to settle a score?

Hadn't thought of it like that, but I think you're right. This could result in her gaining very unwelcome media attention.

Some ghoul on this site actually made an attempt at tracing her, with some success. Then got rightfully panned on these boards before any contact was made and thought better of it . Now would all journalists/reporters have held back? Hmm.

The producers are gonna have to get someone to play her, they couldn't leave her out of the story line. Oh dear, this could be an unfortunate side effect of this storys resurrection.

4 Aug 2004, 10:56

Can't remember who it was who contacted her, if indeed they did. I did recount the shock I had on having her on an e-mail CC list at work, if that counts as being ghoulish. Still, it's open season, so I suppose it does.

4 Aug 2004, 11:02

Sorry for being out of it, I was unaware totally who Annick Honoré was, I did my research, now I know.

Why would it be a problem? I don't see...

4 Aug 2004, 11:20

Because she might be blamed for Ians death by some people (the media most likely). If it was caused difficulties between him and Deborah, it would have affected his mental state even more. Now add the tabloids spin to that and you get

"The Sun tracks down the woman responsible for Ian Curtis's Death EXCLUSIVE" type stuff.

4 Aug 2004, 11:50

Originally posted by MYOB Because she might be blamed for Ians death by some people (the media most likely). If it was caused difficulties between him and Deborah, it would have affected his mental state even more. Now add the tabloids spin to that and you get"The Sun tracks down the woman responsible for Ian Curtis's Death EXCLUSIVE" type stuff.

From what I read (I need to get the book damn it), Ian did a first suicide attempt after meeting her though...

4 Aug 2004, 16:31

Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63 Can't remember who it was who contacted her, if indeed they did. I did recount the shock I had on having her on an e-mail CC list at work, if that counts as being ghoulish. Still, it's open season, so I suppose it does.

Tim, no not yourself in the frame, can't even recall this post about you getting her e-mail addy. Twas your nemesis I was referring to ;)

How'd the house move go?

4 Aug 2004, 20:46

Wasn't "Something Must Break" written about his affair?

4 Aug 2004, 23:40

I don't really care who plays whom...just give us a decent movie!!!

5 Aug 2004, 09:48

AND BEER !

RIGHT, JEFF ???????????

:rofl:

5 Aug 2004, 12:33

There seems to be Joy Division as a bit in fashion of late.The band to be seen to be into.Witness the twat Fred Durst recently photographed in a JD t-shirt.On one hand yes it does spread the word of the band but on the other it trivialises what the music has meant to us fans for many many years.