Movies and actor tragedies.

[The Flayed One]

Inspired by this http://pic30.picturetrail.com/VOL1506/11481207/20348352/330747034.jpg.

How do you all feel about the fame of movies which have a leading actor passing away after a role.

I'm not old enough to remember, but from what I've read the tragedy of James Dean was what really rocketed him and his movies to stardom. I confess I haven't seen a James Dean movie. Maybe I should.

Some to think about:

The Crow.
I enjoyed the movie, which inspired me to read the James O'barr comics. How does everyone else feel about Brandon Lee's tragic death on the set? Is that what truly made the film into a cult classic, or do you feel it's strong enough to hold its own?

The Dark Knight.
Maybe I'm biased because I've always been a Batman fan and a huge Christian Bale fan. There are a lot of great actors in this movie, and the script was well done. Was it as great to me as the hype? Hardly anything ever is when it comes in that large of portions, but the only thing I found disappointing myself is that it didn't follow the Long Halloween/Dark Victory story line like I had hoped.

What are your feelings on death of an actor in correlation to hype/fame of certain films?

[alkytrio666]

Two of the three major roles James Dean played before his untimely death were Oscar nominated- something that has never been repeated- so I don't think his popularity took off only after he died or that his talent was recognized only years later.

However, his death stirred up so many questions about what his career would have looked like that it definately added some infamousy.

[neverending]

Really? All those actors died after eating rolls?

[The Flayed One]

Originally Posted by neverending

Really? All those actors died after eating rolls?

Okay, I deserved that, especially since I bitch about grammar a lot. Now that I've fixed it, got anything productive to add, you snarky bastard;)

[urgeok2]

Originally Posted by The Flayed One

The Crow.
I enjoyed the movie, which inspired me to read the James O'barr comics. How does everyone else feel about Brandon Lee's tragic death on the set? Is that what truly made the film into a cult classic, or do you feel it's strong enough to hold its own?

The Dark Knight.
Maybe I'm biased because I've always been a Batman fan and a huge Christian Bale fan. There are a lot of great actors in this movie, and the script was well done. Was it as great to me as the hype? Hardly anything ever is when it comes in that large of portions, but the only thing I found disappointing myself is that it didn't follow the Long Halloween/Dark Victory story line like I had hoped.

i'm the last person to wallow in hype - i actually hate it.

I first saw The Crow without hearing much hype - i already liked Brandon Lee from Rapid Fire and the Little Tokeo movies - so i wanted to see his next film regardless.
I loved it - it left me wanting for more - he had a fantastic screen presence and The Crow was the film that would have launched him ... it was very sad.

I was aware of the hype for the Dark Knight .. not just Heath Ledger - but the fanboys drooling over another batman had been on about it for ages.

i'm not that big on comic book movies (with the exception of Spiderman which i love) and i wasnt caring that much about Batman. the Heath Ledger thing made me even more aprehensive - and if it wasnt for my kid - i probably wouldnt have seen it.

so i did see it .. and then we all went back a second time.
I wanted to see it the second time to see if my head was clear - if i was suffering under a weird subconcious influence .. no - i enjoyed Ledgers performance even more the second dime.

I know this is one of those movies where i'll be watching it several times in the future - just to enjoy that unforgettable performance.

it went beyond the hype -

after the 1st viewing i was thinking - wow was the rest of the movie that lame that hedger looked so good ... and after the second viewing i realized - no - the movie is solid. without Ledger it would still have been a great film .. Ledger just elevated it another 100 stories.

it made me sad also - there will never be another Joker .. not that i could possible see at this time.

and yeah - Nicholson looked like a bum in comparrison.

[pinkfloyd45769]

I get the weirdest feeling watching a movie when the actor or actress in it has passed.I wonder why that is?It feels wrong to me for some reason..i'm weird;)

[Ferox13]

Roy Kinnear fell off a horse during the filming of that Musketeer film in the later 80s. It was enough for the director to give up makign films.

And of course Lugosi died during PLAN 9 resulting in the infamous step in by by Tom Mason..

[urgeok2]

Originally Posted by Ferox13

Roy Kinnear fell off a horse during the filming of that Musketeer film in the later 80s. It was enough for the director to give up makign films.
..

i was just reading about that in Michael York's autobiography.

from what i read - it was handled very badly by the director/studio