Alec Baldwin or Brendan Gleeson, who can play Donald Trump? 5 actors perfect for Michael Cohen's book adaptation
Would you like to watch President Donald Trump's life unfold on the big screen? Michael Cohen — who was Trump's long-time personal attorney, self-described fixer and attack dog — penned down a memoir recently detailing his time working for him from 2006 to 2018. Titled 'Disloyal: A Memoir: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J Trump', the 2020 book sheds light on his felony convictions and other personal affairs.
As per a recent Daily Mail report, the memoir is soon to be on screen and an Oscar-nominated director, Oscar-nominated screenwriter and Oscar-nominated executive producer are closely working with Cohen on the project. A source told the outlet: "The project is very much in the works, there's several big names involved. The director, screenwriter and executive producer are all highly regarded in their respective fields."
The report further quoted the source, "The director has won or has been nominated for more than 50 awards, including Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations and the screenwriter and executive producer are both Oscar nominees. The movie will be a full adaptation of Cohen's book and what many people don't realize is that the book isn't just about Donald Trump, it's about Cohen's journey working for a narcissistic sociopath and how that journey landed him in jail."
When Daily Mail reached out to Cohen, he confirmed it and said it's "in the early stages" but said he cannot discuss any specifics. Calling Trump a "cheat, liar, fraud, bully, racist and predator," the man who called the president 'The Boss' helped him steer his way out of several scandals including alleged affairs with porn star Stormy Daniels and the Playboy model Karen McDougal. Now, as the book gets set for a film adaptation, who could star in the movie? From Alec Baldwin to Leonardo DiCaprio, here are all the actors who could ace the role.
Alec Baldwin
Baldwin has won many hearts with his impersonation of Trump on 'Saturday Night Live'. In fact, he even dished out the key to getting his character right. He feels raising one eyebrow and concentrating on Trump's unmistakable accent and dialect nails it. “We always default to [using adjectives like] ‘fantastic,’ ‘amazing,’ ‘terrific,’’ Baldwin says. “He never comes up with anything stronger or clearer… He’s not a great thinker. He demonstrates that over and over again. It’s kind of harrowing, actually.”
Many fans are hoping for the same. "Please have Alec Baldwin play Trump," one begged and another posted, "I swear I can legit watch Alec Baldwin play Donald Trump for hours."
I swear I can legit watch Alec Baldwin play Donald Trump for hours
— Chicken Chalupa Supreme (@ashlaayy510) November 13, 2020
Brendan Gleeson
Brendan Gleeson's portrayal of Donald Trump in the controversial Showtime series 'The Comey Rule' about the president's election victory and early time in office has been highly praised. As per reports, the Dublin-born actor spent two months working with a vocal coach to capture the president's distinctive voice and getting the look right with blonde hair and a light powdering of orange make-up.
One viewer described the portrayal as "one of the most unnerving things I've ever seen," adding: "I literally do not understand how an actor can get this close to real; it seems to involve about a hundred simultaneous decisions." In fact, after Cohen's book adaptation was announced, one fan said, "As funny as Alec Baldwin is, unless the movie is a comedy, I vote for Brendon Gleeson to play Trump. He was great in Comey’s Rule."
As funny as Alec Baldwin is, unless the movie is a comedy, I vote for Brendon Gleeson to play Trump. He was great in Comey’s Rule. https://t.co/VcYLNMpzmp
— Chris W (@ChrisWi03959921) November 13, 2020
Brian Cox
Cox has been lauded for his role of media mogul Logan Roy in 'Succession'. In an interview, he said President Donald Trump's character would be quite difficult to play on screen. Speaking in the latest 'Great Scot' podcast, the 74-year-old said: “The only person who I would say would be impossible to play would be Donald Trump because Donald Trump is an extremely bad script — you can’t do anything with it.”
What's more, he downright refused to play him on screen calling him a "complete wazzock." But, wouldn't it be fun if someone could actually convince him to take up the role? Back in 2015 and 2016, many Twitter users brought up his name as a suggestion with side-by-side photos of the two. "So, let's vote, Brian Cox to play Donald Trump in the biopic?" one said and another posted, "Who's going to play Trump in the movie? Brian Cox."
#ThingsHollywoodExecsSay
— ChristheRetweeter (@HatedbyMorons) June 10, 2016
So, lets vote, Brian Cox to play Donald Trump in the biopic? pic.twitter.com/ZGeuDfai6R
Who's going to play Trump in the movie? Brian Cox. pic.twitter.com/lJ4oq3gLVv
— Kamen Rider PPE (@exdli) March 25, 2017
Leonardo DiCaprio
He's the blue-eyed wonder boy of Hollywood and Donald Trump is one of the most divisive persons in politics. The two names sound like two opposite sides of a coin. But to portray something that's beyond anyone's imagination — that's the skill of an artist, isn't it? The 'Titanic' actor who won an Oscar for his performance in 'The Revenant' could be one of the choices to play Trump. Who knows, it could get him his second Academy Award!
One fan asked the actor, "Would you agree to play the role of Trump in Hollywood to raise awareness about psychological manipulation, brainwashing and fake news? Or would you run for presidency in 2024??? I believe in you, save the world for real," and another said, "Thinking Paul Rudd to play Biden & Leonardo DiCaprio to play Trump. Abstract I'll give you... But it can work." A third chimed in, "I pick @LeoDiCaprio to play Trump as a Cult Leader of this MAGA crowd."
Would you agree to play the role of Trump in Hollywood to raise awareness about psychological manipulation, brainwashing and fake news ? Or would you run for presidency in 2024??? I believe in you, save the world for real. 😷🤙🏼👏🏼
— Coco 76 🇫🇷 - Pls protect our planet! (@BouchelCorinne) November 5, 2020
Just brilliant
— Beowulf (@the_outraged) September 22, 2020
I'm already thinking about movie deals for you.
Thinking Paul Rudd to play Biden & Leonardo DiCaprio to play Trump.
Abstract I'll give you... But it can work. 👍 (That Paul Rudd is very versatile)
I pick @LeoDiCaprio to play Trump as a Cult Leader of this MAGA crowd
— Teri McClain (@terileemcclain) September 14, 2020
John Voight
An outspoken Republican and Trump supporter, Jon Voight could be quite a sight as the 74-year-old president on-screen with a sympathetic and genuine portrayal. An Oscar-winner, he could probably get it just right instead of mocking him! Remember when he gave a speech to start off Trump's "Make America Great Again" celebration or when he danced for Trump at the White House? He has been up-close with the guy and known him for years.
One Twitter user even pointed out, "Hey Jon, you actually look a lot like @realDonaldTrump... to the point that I think you should play him in a biopic. It's likely Trump will need an actor to play him since he'll be going to prison shortly after leaving the White House in January." Another posted, "Please tell me Jon Voight is not going to play Trump in a Maga/Russian mafia funded movie!"
Hey Jon, you actually look a lot like @realDonaldTrump....to the point that I think you should play him in a biopic. Its likely Trump will need an actor to play him since he'll be going to prison shortly after leaving the White House in January.
— PuckingOpinionated (@TBAOsborne) November 12, 2020
Please tell me Jon Voight is not going to play Trump in a Maga/Russian mafia funded movie!
— Patrick Van Der Werf (@Patrickothewerf) November 12, 2020
Not satisfied with these choices? Who would you like to see in Donald Trump's shoes? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.