While investors debate over Oliver Stone film
"Bush" a script about President Bill Clinton and
Monica Lewinsky has quietly circulated around
Hollywood.
Set to Elvis Presley music, "Bill and the Silk
Box" is a comedy/drama about the popular
President, whose Secret Service
nickname was "Elvis."
"Nothing will be more entertaining than for the
Clintons and the Bushes to compete at the box
office," said Daniel R. Vovak, a screenwriter
and owner of Greenwich Creations. "The challenge
of writing the script was juggling the political
motivations of the characters with the
importance of giving the film broad appeal. The
Clinton era needs to be put into proper
perspective, with comedy as its medium."
Vovak said he's open regarding casting,
contrasting with Stone's narrow approach of
portraying Bush as Josh Brolin. He sees Bill
Paxton, David Morse, or Tim Robbins in the role
as Bill Clinton. Monica Lewinsky could be played
by Amanda Bynes, Nia Vadralos, or Minnie Driver.
(Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady, does
not have any speaking parts.)
Vovak worked ardently to write the movie based
on a true story, doing intense research and
interviewing some colorful characters. Through
his career, Vovak has met James Carville, George
Stephanopoulos, and various reporters and White
House photographers. He also had the chance to
speak with Paula Jones, with whom the President
settled a lawsuit for $850,000.
"Talking with the real-life characters gave me a
well-rounded perspective of the former
President," said Vovak. "I deduced that Bill is
a lonely person in private, which is a
consistent theme in Elvis' music, and
a perfect hook for the script."
The plot of the film is from July 1995 through
January 1998, while the White House was in
turmoil over Paula Jones and a brief government
shutdown. Meanwhile, Monica Lewinsky was
secretly enticed by gifts from Bill. The script
also depicts a scheming White House staff that
sends Monica to permanent exile in the Pentagon
until she licks her wounds and
returns for a place in United States history.
According to Vovak, he has Japanese
representation because of the complexity of
Elvis music ownership and their overlapping
business interests with Elvis Presley
Enterprises. Vovak has also written the
movies: Redeeming Stella, Unsilent Partner, and
Whereabouts Unknown.
(http://www.variety.com/VR1117979349.html)
Posted: 31st. January 2008
