Ok guys so here is the cast of The Rum Diary – click on the thumbnails for a larger view.
So what do you think? Why not leave a comment and let the Gonzo world know!
All the best,
Ron Mexico
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Gonzo Film
More Extras Required For The Rum Diary
Producers of The Rum Diary are still scouting for extras to fill out scenes with Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart and Amber Heard. It is estimated that almost 3,500 people are needed over the 49 day filming schedule.
One of the biggest challanges facing director Bruce Robinson is recreating the carnival of Saint Thomas. For that scene in particular around 800 people are needed, of whom 200 have to be tourists. One of the many problem’s facing the casting director is getting people with the right look for a film set in 1960’s. Issues such as hair styles can prove to be a huge problem and anybody interested in being an extra must be prepared to have their hair styled in the appropriate manner to match the era in question. Another problem is finding enough fair skinned people to act as tourists and in a sense stand out from the Puerto Rican extras.
Anybody that is interested in trying out should send a full body photo to extraspr@gmail.com, accompanied by your name, age, height & clothes size. Applicants should also mention what town they are from, because filming will take place in Vega Baja, Ceiba and Naguabo. Oh and you might want to check out this great shot of Johnny Depp as Paul Kemp from recent filming on the island.
All I can say is I cannot wait for this film to be released!
Ron Mexico
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Michael Rispoli to join cast of The Rum Diary
Michael Rispoli
Well folks I am pleased to be able to announce that you are looking at the man who will play Bob Sala in The Rum Diary. Michael Rispoli has appeared in a lot of stuff over the years from Law & Order to CSI. He has also appeared in movies such as Summer of Sam and To Die For. Some of you will no doubt also remember him for his role in The Sopranos where he played Jackie Aprile.
Let us know what you think!
Ron Mexico
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Johnny Depp in Puerto Rico for The Rum Diary
- Old San Juan
Johnny Depp has arrived in San Juan Puerto Rico to start filming Hunter S. Thompson’s The Rum Diary. He has been seen walking the streets of Old San Juan, an area which should feature predominantly in the film. Walking the streets of the old city, Depp was spotted entering various establishments in the area.
Not much information is available regarding exact filming locations, but it is believed that at least one location will be the Caribe Hilton. The whole thing is due to kick off March 30th.
That is about it folks, glad to see this finally getting underway. I am really excited about this film, it should introduce Hunter S. Thompson to a whole new audience. By the way if you would like to share any information with us regarding The Rum Diary by all means throw us a bone at totallygonzo@gmail.com Any info. regarding filming would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
Ron Mexico
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Last line of dialogue from 2006 draft of The Rum Diary script!
Hollywood Elsewhere
Jeffrey Wells on March 3, 2009
Early Bleary Thompson
“‘To live my my life like I want to,’ he said, ‘is the least I can do.’ And that had worked for him. And when it was over, he knew it was over and required no explanation. He had spent half a life blowing his brains out with booze, and the bullet was just a period at the end of no sentence in particular.” — the last line of dialogue in a 2006 draft of Bruce Robinson’s The Rum Diary, an adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s revised version of a novel by the same name which he originally wrote in 1959.
I received the Rum Diary script last weekend, and when I read that final page I said to myself, “Whoa.” I mean, is that Thompson talking about his own life or what? Talk about an epitaph.
The Rum Diary, which Robinson will begin directing in San Juan later this month, will star Johnny Depp as expat journalist Paul Kemp, Amber Heard as the temptressy Chenault, Richard Jenkins as the likable Lotterman and Aaron Eckhart as the adjective-defying Sanderson.
Both the book and the film tell Kemp’s story, a malcontent journo who moves from New York to work for a small newspaper, The Daily News, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. If you know Thompson’s stuff, you know what this will be — and that’s okay by me.
source: http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2009/03/early_bleary_th.php
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Johnny Depp looking for 800 extras for The Rum Diary
Dr. Thompson & Colonel Depp
Johnny Depp is looking for more than 800 local extras for the film “The Rum Diary,” which begins filming in Puerto Rico on March 30. Casting directors are seeking people of all ages with different physical characteristics. Auditions will be held next Saturday at the Academy of Modeling Models Factory. Casting takes place between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm Interested individuals must attend the academy, located on the Paseo de la Atena, # 25 (high) in Manatee. For more information, interested parties can call (787) 904-8862 or (787) 452-1158.
The Rum Diary is loosely based on the experiences of writer Hunter S. Thompson as a journalist in Puerto Rico at the end of the 50s. Depp will play the character of Paul Kemp, a reporter working with a diverse team at a newspaper in San Juan. Bruce Robinson, director of the film, arrived on the island this week along with his assistant.
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Hunter S. Thompson: The Conan O’Brien Interview
In the past week or so Conan O’Brien has revisited some of his more memorable guest interviews as he looks back on his career before he takes over The Tonight Show. One of the clips featured our favourite Doctor drinking some hard liquor and firing some guns with Conan. Here is the Good Doctors second interview where they remember that event and also discuss bomb making, fake shoes and how to shoot bears without hitting your assistant !! – Ron Mexico
Hunter S. Thompson on Conan O’Brien 2003-02-06
Bruce Robinson to discuss The Rum Diary on BBC 4 Radio!
Hey folks,
Just a quick heads up that Bruce Robinson will be on BBC 4 Radio today at 4.30pm GMT. He will be discussing his return to film-making after 17 years. Hopefully he will be able to shed some light on the apparent changes to The Rum Diary. You will need realplayer to listen in and don’t worry if you miss it – you can listen to the show anytime once it airs. I will blog any juicy info. here for those of you that can’t stream the show.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/filmprogramme/filmprogramme.shtml
Thanks to Holly for the heads up, much appreciated!
Yr. Friend,
Ron Mexico (in much pain with a broken toe of all things!)
UPDATE: Bruce Robinson describes the script as very close to Withnail & I in tone. He mentions that Johnny Depp was instrumental in getting The Rum Diary published and he also believes the script to be very funny.
Aaron Eckhart & Richard Jenkins for The Rum Diary !!
Aaron Eckhart
Just a heads up that two more actors have been added to the roster of The Rum Diary…..Aaron Eckhart, who is still in negotiations (to play Sanderson) and Richard Jenkins, who has signed on (to play Lotterman). Both great actors and wonderful additions to the film.
Richard Jenkins
Thanks to Holly for the heads-up!! I haven’t had access to the net for the past week due to storm damage so it was nice to get this news when I managed to fix my connection.
For those of you that are wondering about the character of Yeamon, it appears he is no longer going to be part of the movie version. This is quite common with the book to silver screen transition. Bruce Robinson has taken The Rum Diary novel and reworked it for the big screen. I will try and get more details on this so lets just wait and see how everything pans out before people get upset about this. Personally I am just glad we have a new movie based on Hunters work. A few months ago it appeared that this project was doomed and would never get made. They actors that have been cast so far are all excellent, looking forward to some more developments.
Cheers,
Ron Mexico
Amber Heard lands role of Chenault in The Rum Diary?
Amber Heard
According to various sources Amber Heard is either in negotiations for the role of Chenault or has indeed secured the part. Here is a little report from firstshowing.net :
Amber Heard will play the “unattainable” romantic interest Chenault, whom is the girlfriend of “a slick PR consultant named Sanderson” that becomes entangled in a corrupt hotel development scheme with Kemp. The role of Sanderon hasn’t been cast yet, or at least, they haven’t publicly revealed a name. Heard’s role apparently has quite a bit of nudity, but if you haven’t heard, she’s pretty much nude all throughout The Informers, so this wasn’t a big issue for her. I didn’t see The Informers, so I can’t speak for her acting abilities, but obviously with the roles she’s getting, it’s starting to seem like she’s the next big thing.
That is about it for now folks,
Ron Mexico
Totally Gonzo 