Hidden in last week’s announcement of Benedict Cumberbatch’s surprise casting in the Whitey Bulger bio-pic were some other details about the cast. For those familiar with the Saga of Whitey Bulger, you might remember the real-life FBI agent John Connolly who aided and colluded with Bulger and was sentenced to prison for his trouble. Aussie actor Joel Edgerton has taken that role, and these are the first set photos of Edgerton in character.
Edgerton has been slowly but surely rising up the Hollywood ranks – you might remember him as a Navy SEAL in Zero Dark Thirty, or as Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby. He’s very close to breaking out in a big way, he just needs the right role. Oh, and he’s usually a lot hotter than this. That’s the only reason I pay attention to his career – he’s got that light-eyed, dark-haired, tall, smoldering look that I love so much. Usually he looks like THIS. What a difference a wiglet and a Totally ‘80s suit makes, right? YIKES. So, would I hit it? I’d need to do something with that hair (like pour a bucket of water on him). So… sure, I would hit that.
Incidentally, now that I’m really thinking about him… Edgerton would be really good in the film adaptation of our current Celebitchy Book Club read: The Light Between Oceans. It needs a good, tough, interesting Aussie actor (someone not named Hemsworth) for the lead. Unfortunately, Michael Fassbender is in talks for the role. If Fassy falls through, they should totally get Edgerton. (PS… I hate this book – I think it’s the worst book club selection yet! I’m hate-reading it to the bitter end just to see what happens.)
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
What! A non-Aussie to play an Australian character?! There will be rioting on the streets of Sydney (but it’s ok when Aussies play Americans or English characters).
That’s true!!!
It’s one of those things isn’t it? If Fassy gets it over Joel, Sydney will be in turmoil!!
But completely off subject. Back off all ladies, Joel Edgerton is mine!! And I am willing to fight the good fight to have him all to myself, BWA HAHAHAHAHA!!
That is all!!
Ehh.. not really… no one cares.
The main reason people *would* hate it is that SO FEW actors can properly master our accent without making a fool of them self. The best faux accent I’ve heard was Robin Wright in Adoration/Perfect Mothers. I only heard one slip up and the rest was dead on.
I remember him as Uncle Owen in Star Wars. He has come a long way.
Decent actor, solid career, and I wish him well, but I don’t see him going A list or becoming a huge star. I think that ship has sailed.
Would hit Uncle Owen before I’d hit him in that wiglet.
@Miss Jupitero, was he filming outside your workplace the other day?
Didn’t see him, but also wouldn’t have recognized him.
How does one find out what the film schedule is?
Joel Edgerton??? Really!!! *screams*….* my eyes are glistening and I have a HUGE smile on my face…*
Where do you work?? I’m coming over girl!!! Tell me ALL about it!! Is he tall, sexy, handsome, gorgeous, funny, smart, witty, kind compassionate. Did he go to the bathroom?? Whatever you’ve got, please do tell!!!
Joel is my MAN!!
I think they may be trying to be very quiet about the scheduling so they won’t get crowds and they probably shoot early mornings and on weekends so the streets are empty. Some of the actors went to Boston Calling.
Nope, but I’m interested in whether or not he actually breaks out with this movie. I feel like there are a lot of people who Hollywood heralds as upcoming break-out stars and they never do. He’s a decent actor and I really hope it happens for him.
Wasn’t he in the Thing remake, if not he looks really similar to the main guy in it.
The more I read about Whitey Bulger the more I’m really hoping this turns out good as it cold make a great movie. Hope it turns out better than American Hustle aka Explosion in the Wig factory (Thanks Tina Fey).
Yeah, that was him
Definitely not in that get-up. His character John Connolly’s murder conviction was thrown out yesterday.
He has a young Jon Voight vibe in the top shot, but no to either.
That’s exactly who I thought he was at first glance while scrolling through the main page–Jon Voigt.
Oh sh-t, you’re right. I thought he reminded me of someone but I couldn’t remember who.
Yes, I thought it was Jon Voight for a moment.
That’s exactly what I thought.
Dearest Kaiser: STOP READING NOW. If you are hanging in there through that atrociously purple/cliched prose for a denouement in the book, you will be even more disappointed than you are now. There isn’t one!
No spoilers! I’m still reading it. I don’t hate it as much.
I finished it last night. It wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever read, but it wasn’t very good.
I am about half way through. It’s getting interesting, but it also makes me really mad how selfish Isabel is. It’s more meh to me than actively bad, and I do want to know what happens.
Isn’t that hair/side burns and suit more 1970’s. I believe that unfortunate looking car he is exiting from, is from the 70’s.
Gawd… that was an ugly period for fashion. And I am thankful that my Daddy had been a military man, who never looked this ridiculous in the 1970’s. Sadly, I can not say the same for my favorite uncle. 🙂
But I am looking forward to this Bulger movie. I am glad that they are doing a big budget for it. So it will at least look good… even if they screw up telling the story.
Well, if they screw up, there is a documentary coming out later this year, The United States of America v. James J. Bulger. And if that’s not enough, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are still shopping their version around, after Warner Bros pulled funding on them to put it into Black Mass.
There is terrible fashion through a couple of decades. If you look at photos of the 80’s, that was BAD. One day we will point and laugh at the stupid current day skinny jean trend.
@Kiddo Skinny jeans are nothing, the current mum jean trend is killing me right now.
Sadly, this is like the third time the skinny jean fad has come around. Since I was in high school. And if I have the choice of skinny jeans that are cut higher… versus those low rider, wide leg jeans… with about 3 inches of butt crack…. I am picking the skinny jeans.
And the majority of the 80’s were about Ralph Lauren… country club look for my generation. Lots of plaid. Geez, there was lots of plaid. And floral. Jessica McClintock, I swear her name was on practically every prom gown/wedding gown from the early 80’s, for a good decade. And boat shoes! I notice here last Summer boat shoes had started showing up again on the regular.
All the ratty hair… neon clothes… leg warmers… were never as popular as people like to imply. Except in Poison video’s. 🙂
But big full body hair… achieved with Clairol hot rollers… oh yea… that was huge. Then spraying it into place with those big cans of Paul Mitchell hairspray… awwww good times.
Mum jeans are the sh*t now? That creates quite the dilemma, if you wear them, you look dated, and if you don’t, you’re dated?
@Kiddo Aha right? I just don’t get it and they’re actually calling them “mum jeans” at all the stores, no amount of clever marketing will make me believe they’re a good idea.
Oh, for the love of everything holy, I love Joel but the wig is killing me.
As for Joel’s career, obviously I think he’s fantastic but I’d much rather that he just works continuously and continues to be excellent/be the scene stealer he always seems to be. If he wants to blow up, he needs to get in on some of that sweet sweet franchise action. Any ladies/gents have opinions on superheroes he could play?
That’s ok. I can have him. Hand him over and walk away slowly!!
I don’t know about super heroes but I always fancied him a kind of “Bourne”, spy/assassin man. That will blow him up big time!!
I’m officially coming out the wood works to say that Joel Edgerton is MY MAN!! PERIOD!!! FULL STOP!!! *unsheathing my slut dagger*
If OKitt and Sixer have Tom Hardy, fine!! But as long as I have my Edgerton, I will be alright with you ladies. Back away ladies, I know most don’t like him that way, but i will take him any which way I can get, (wiglet and all)!!
Now, THIS is a sex-pot, knicker-dropper if I’ve even encountered one!!
Kaiser, I’m ready for you girl, and I mean business!!!
…..whistles while walking away slowly and cautiously.
I’ve only ever seen him in Warrior… he was basically like Conan O’Brien’s moody, sexy younger brother.
I LOVED him as Tom Buchanan in “The Great Gatsby”. Probably my favorite performance by an actor in the movie, and that’s coming from someone who think both Leo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan played their roles amazingly (just like I imagined the characters in the book.)
He truly is a splendid actor.
Kaiser! How can you try to turn us on to Joel Edgarton and not mention his hands down BEST film, Warrior? Where he and Tom Hardy heartbreakingly kick the sh*t out of each other? Seriously, they’re both half naked and sweaty but it’s actually a very good film also.
I loved Warrior! And he was very hot in Animal Kingdom too. Brilliant film with another of my favorites:Guy Pearce.
On the DVD of Animal Kingdom, a short film from Michôd (Crossbow,I think) was among the extra features and we can enjoy Edgerton presence in this one too.
Agree! I was coming here to post a comment just to mention this: he and Tom Hardy were awesome in Warrior. (And Nick Nolte).
He reminds me of Jeremy Renner when he was filming American Hustle with the bouffant and the cheesy suits, except Renner made that look GOOD, and Joel Edgerton just looks like someone hit him in the face with a shovel and then stuck a bad wig on what was left after.
There are some actors that do not need to be stars. I think he is a ridiculously talented actor who will get character work for the rest of his career. Not everyone has to be A list, as long as the good scripts are coming his way, he should be alright.
In everything I’ve ever seen Joel in, I’ve always thought he looked like a hot Conan O’Brien. Which is totally my type.
Hahaha I didn’t read your comment before posting up thread. Totally agree, he’s like a hot Conan.
Saw him today! In the North End. Definitely wouldn’t hit it, not in that get-up. Saw Depp too.