FYI - CONTROL Update - Ian Curtis has been cast

they could av found and cast a UK willing talent in a heart beat count. wonder why $it didn't happen. the MacBeth and Seagull credits are good starts.

will it be all, or mostly, black and white with scant dialogue? can only hope that it isn't air brushed too heavily. and can't wait really.

Wasim wrote: I think you're overreacting. Its understandable that people would prefer an Englishman to play Ian's role. I don't think there's any anti-American sentiment in THIS thread. ;)

Besides its safe to say that whoever was involved in the casting made sure this fella could pull off the Manc accent.

i think it's most important to find the best person to play ian curtis, regardless of his nationality. it happens all the time--what makes this any different?

AgentWood wrote: who gives a f*ck if he's an american? how many british actors play americans with excellent accents? loads. (although there are some who can't get it right) and the aussie, anthony lapaglia, does a perfect new york accent on without a trace. who's to say this guy can't do a manc accent? if he were irish or scottish would you be as critical? i doubt it.

by the way: sean harris, who played ian curtis in 24HPP, is not a manc and is a dual US/british citizen.

good point. just to prove that americans can play a convincing brit one needs to look no further than gweneth paltrow or renée zellweger .

I'm fairly certain this person is English.

His first two credits as an actor (SAINT-EX in 1996 in what amounts to a glorified extra role, and "Tough Love" in 2000) are both English productions so I think it's fairly safe to say that he's either an English or Irish actor.

As I believe someone else mentioned he may be a singer as well.

http://www.10000things.org.uk/10000www.htm

He's described in one of the articles here as Ian Curtis with a quiff.

Ronald Kirsch wrote:

AgentWood wrote: who gives a f*ck if he's an american? how many british actors play americans with excellent accents? loads. (although there are some who can't get it right) and the aussie, anthony lapaglia, does a perfect new york accent on without a trace. who's to say this guy can't do a manc accent? if he were irish or scottish would you be as critical? i doubt it.

by the way: sean harris, who played ian curtis in 24HPP, is not a manc and is a dual US/british citizen.

good point. just to prove that americans can play a convincing brit one needs to look no further than gweneth paltrow or renée zellweger .

I also agree that there SHOULD be no reason why an American couldn't pull off the accent, but I am not sure that Mrs. Coldplay or Bridget Jones are the best examples of that--I mean, sure, they convinced me, but did it convince those whose accent they were imitating? That said, I understand the hesitance of those posting here to accept an American in the role of Ian Curtis. If a Manc were hired to play Jim Morrison, Doors fanatics would be equally hesitant.

As I said before, though, with Deborah Curtis and others who knew Ian personally involved, I am willing to reserve judgment until I see the actual performance.

Kerry Harris wrote:

His first two credits as an actor (SAINT-EX in 1996 in what amounts to a glorified extra role, and "Tough Love" in 2000) are both English productions so I think it's fairly safe to say that he's either an English or Irish actor.

He's described in one of the articles here as Ian Curtis with a quiff.

Saint-Ex-/Jungle Partygoer 1996 and Virgin/Michael-2003. and Sam Morton who just did the Libertine with Johnny Depp.

Matt wrote:

Ronald Kirsch wrote:

AgentWood wrote: who gives a f*ck if he's an american? how many british actors play americans with excellent accents? loads. (although there are some who can't get it right) and the aussie, anthony lapaglia, does a perfect new york accent on without a trace. who's to say this guy can't do a manc accent? if he were irish or scottish would you be as critical? i doubt it.

by the way: sean harris, who played ian curtis in 24HPP, is not a manc and is a dual US/british citizen.

good point. just to prove that americans can play a convincing brit one needs to look no further than gweneth paltrow or renée zellweger .

I also agree that there SHOULD be no reason why an American couldn't pull off the accent, but I am not sure that Mrs. Coldplay or Bridget Jones are the best examples of that--I mean, sure, they convinced me, but did it convince those whose accent they were imitating? That said, I understand the hesitance of those posting here to accept an American in the role of Ian Curtis. If a Manc were hired to play Jim Morrison, Doors fanatics would be equally hesitant.

As I said before, though, with Deborah Curtis and others who knew Ian personally involved, I am willing to reserve judgment until I see the actual performance.

i can do a decent northern accent. back in those days when i first got into the order me and my best mate pretended to be mancs. however, i may be to old to play a 20 year old. a 25 year old no probs.

The film’s title was inspired by the classic Joy Division song She’s Lost Control. New Order, the band that succeeded Joy Division, will be recording new tracks for the film and the soundtrack album will feature a number of re-recorded Joy Division songs.

A stab in the dark, but a somewhat educated guess given the title of the film.. but I'm thinking one of the re-recorded songs could be She's Lost Control? Could be sweet.

AgentWood wrote:

Wasim wrote: I think you're overreacting. Its understandable that people would prefer an Englishman to play Ian's role. I don't think there's any anti-American sentiment in THIS thread. ;)

Besides its safe to say that whoever was involved in the casting made sure this fella could pull off the Manc accent.

i think it's most important to find the best person to play ian curtis, regardless of his nationality. it happens all the time--what makes this any different?

Well obviously the best person should be chosen. But I think its natural to be sceptical when a foreigner is picked to play Ian, particularly as Joy Division were a band that really was born out of a particular time and place. He should definately be given a chance, and as has been said with the people behind this project I can't see Ian's legacy being trampled on.

Wasim wrote:

AgentWood wrote:

Wasim wrote: I think you're overreacting. Its understandable that people would prefer an Englishman to play Ian's role. I don't think there's any anti-American sentiment in THIS thread. ;)

Besides its safe to say that whoever was involved in the casting made sure this fella could pull off the Manc accent.

i think it's most important to find the best person to play ian curtis, regardless of his nationality. it happens all the time--what makes this any different?

Well obviously the best person should be chosen. But I think its natural to be sceptical when a foreigner is picked to play Ian, particularly as Joy Division were a band that really was born out of a particular time and place. He should definately be given a chance, and as has been said with the people behind this project I can't see Ian's legacy being trampled on.

i dare say that the pruducers of this film know what they are doing and how important the Joy Division legacy is (I hope, isn't debbie curtis still involved as well.)

AgentWood wrote: who gives a f*ck if he's an american? how many british actors play americans with excellent accents? loads. (although there are some who can't get it right) and the aussie, anthony lapaglia, does a perfect new york accent on without a trace. who's to say this guy can't do a manc accent? if he were irish or scottish would you be as critical? i doubt it.

by the way: sean harris, who played ian curtis in 24HPP, is not a manc and is a dual US/british citizen.

I don't know that you can equate English and Australian actors doing US accents with US actors doing UK/AU accents, unfortunately. There have been (and still are, look no further than Lost for a dire example) so many cases of American actors struggling to do international English accents over the years. Yet most actors are able to nail the US accent, some even the regional nuances as per LaPaglia.

The sad fact is that almost everyone in the English-speaking world can pull off a reasonable American accent. You needn't even be an actor! Such has been the American cultural saturation over the years. Don't think it works both ways, however. Ask the "average American" to do an English accent and often you'll end up with a bit of Dick Van Dyke from Mary Poppins, or ask them to do an Aussie accent and you'll get a sort of South African / Cockney hybrid. Well this is my experience anyway.

Having said that, I'm not discriminating against Sam if he turns out to be an American. Good luck to him. Just hope he's got the skills to pay the bills.

:\pimp3:

Samantha Morton has got some serious bangers on her.

:bag:

By the way: I just saw Walk The Line starring Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash, and I thought: Wow, that guy could also be fantastic if he played Morrissey! They share that "not-such-a-nice-person" expression on their faces but at the same time they do look very sensitive, full of hidden emotions.

got my hand on an exclusivity for anyone interested...cannot mention my website but you should figure out my screen name

AgentWood wrote: who gives a f*ck if he's an american? how many british actors play americans with excellent accents? loads. (although there are some who can't get it right) and the aussie, anthony lapaglia, does a perfect new york accent on without a trace. who's to say this guy can't do a manc accent? if he were irish or scottish would you be as critical? i doubt it.

by the way: sean harris, who played ian curtis in 24HPP, is not a manc and is a dual US/british citizen.

I do agree with you, I'm English, but still, it doesn't bother me. I'm not a manc, but I live near there. I'm from Hull, anyone know where that is?

Nicky wrote:

I do agree with you, I'm English, but still, it doesn't bother me. I'm not a manc, but I live near there. I'm from Hull, anyone know where that is?

Of course, it's just over the Quebec border from Ottawa.

Actually, I am more concerned that the bloke can do the stage presence and the dancing.

Mind you we Irish have been much abused by Hollywood accent wise (Think Tom Cruise in Home And Away). Then there was that film with Sinead O'Connor in it where they gave out language cards for the audience in America so that they could understand it. They may have done this with The Commitments too if I remember correctly.

Still its disappointing that yerman Cillian Murphy didn't get the job. Would have been great to hear Curtis in a Cork accent.

Dis is de wey, step inside la.

Jonathan. Cork.

[orange]depthcharge[/orange] wrote:

AgentWood wrote: who gives a f*ck if he's an american? how many british actors play americans with excellent accents? loads. (although there are some who can't get it right) and the aussie, anthony lapaglia, does a perfect new york accent on without a trace. who's to say this guy can't do a manc accent? if he were irish or scottish would you be as critical? i doubt it.

by the way: sean harris, who played ian curtis in 24HPP, is not a manc and is a dual US/british citizen.

I don't know that you can equate English and Australian actors doing US accents with US actors doing UK/AU accents, unfortunately. There have been (and still are, look no further than Lost for a dire example) so many cases of American actors struggling to do international English accents over the years.

what american actor on lost is pretending to be english? the only englishman i can think of on the show is charlie, and he's played by dominic monaghan--from stockport.

I wonder whether Martin Hannett will be in the film and who will play him if he is. I doubt it though, sseing as he's not mentioned all that much in the book.

For all those worried about the part of Ian Curtis going to an American you can sleep well tonight.

It seems that it is Sam Riley singer of the Leeds band 10,000 Things who got the part.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/368688/thread/1135192281/last-1139592116/SAM+to+Play+ian+curtis

...is a link from the band's website where fans are already starting to discuss the casting.

[orange]depthcharge[/orange] wrote: The sad fact is that almost everyone in the English-speaking world can pull off a reasonable American accent. You needn't even be an actor!

oh, god no. when my british, australian, kiwi and south african friends try american accents it always ends in disaster (and many laughs all around)!

Well , i hope he does a better job than Sean Harris did in 24HPP.I'm probably on my own here but i thought he was shit as Ian.

Bonzette wrote:

Missy Jem wrote: I wanna be an extra in this film. To the Casting Agent: Let me be in it!!! I live in Manc and everything, and i can wag work for a bit!

Missy! You got mail!

I wanna be in it too!! And I'm down the road from town.

According to JDC This picture was taken by Anton Corbijn.

This must be the look for the film.

Johnny wrote: Well , i hope he does a better job than Sean Harris did in 24HPP.I'm probably on my own here but i thought he was shit as Ian.

sean harris may not look like ian, but i thought his movements were spot on.

God, I hope this newcomer Riley pulls it off, otherwise I will not be happy!

What's up with the American Bashing? As if America didn't contribute to some of the best music around. We gave the world Michael Jackson and the Village People. Well, perhaps your right, proceed with the bashing. I didn't ask to be born here.

AgentWood wrote:

[orange]depthcharge[/orange] wrote: The sad fact is that almost everyone in the English-speaking world can pull off a reasonable American accent. You needn't even be an actor!

oh, god no. when my british, australian, kiwi and south african friends try american accents it always ends in disaster (and many laughs all around)!

Well not many of you knew Charlise Theron was from the RSA till she told you so!

this is he!