Michael Douglas to play Soderbergh’s Liberace
When I moved to Las Vegas as a young lass, one of the first things my parents took me to do was visit the Liberace Museum. At the time, this museum comprised the whole of fine culture in Vegas. It was an eye-opening experience. I still remember the candelabras. I wish I could forget them (oh, God, the glitter! The humanity of it all!). So, certainly, it makes sense that I would be the one to report on some casting news for Steven Soderbergh’s biopic on the life and times of the glittery piano man. An article in Variety over a year ago stated that Soderbergh was in the early stages of the film, and it looks like he’s kicked into the real work.
We have our Liberace. And he’s tried on the sparkle pants. According to Soderbergh, Michael Douglas has gamely accepted the challenge and has “already done some costume and wardrobe tests…and they’re very, very, very good.” And, it gets better, Matt Damon is also on board to play “the role of Scott Thorsen, Liberace’s assistant and boyfriend who eventually revealed Liberace’s sexuality to the public.” As Damon’s latest work with Soderbergh, THE INFORMANT!, is getting good reviews, this sounds like a smart teaming to me. Liberace, born Wladziu Valentino Liberace, was a singer and a pianist known for his personal flash and style. He was also, quite famously, the highest paid entertainer in the world in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. He was known as “Mr. Showmanship” due to his desire to put on shows for his concert-goers, not just strict performances. His costumes were elaborate, verging on royal. This flamboyance often led to the press discussing his sexuality (and oftentimes, trying to publicly out him), which ultimately led to Liberace suing various publications for libel.
He died at the age of 67 due to complications from AIDS. He had long been ill with a number of ailments, including smoking-induced emphysema.
As Douglas is nearly 65 years old (his birthday is in ten days!), I can only presume that Soderbergh’s film will focus on the later years of Liberace’s life, and I can’t say that I am opposed the casting of Douglas as the man who shines. What do you guys think of casting Douglas as Liberace? Anyone else seem like a better fit for the role?
Source Buzz Sugar
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