Marlon Brandois undoubtedly one of the greatest actors of all time, whileBilly Zaneis, um, not. Nevertheless, theTitanicvillain has signed on to playThe Godfatherstar in the indie movieWaltzing With Brando, which Zane will also produce.
Bill Fishmanis writing and directing the film, which is based on a memoir by Bernard Judge, a Los Angeles-based architect whom Brando hired to build the world’s first ecologically perfect retreat on a tiny and uninhabitable Tahitian island. The story will largely take place between 1969 and 1974, when Brando and Judge spent time on the remote island while the actor was preparing to star inThe GodfatherandLast Tango in Paris.
Zane previously worked with Fishman on the 1993 westernPosse, so he already has a rapport with the director, who plans to start shooting later this year. While you might think an A-list actor would be best suited to play Brando (Tom Hardy has been rumored for a different Brando project in the past), I can see how Zane actually looks the part.
To be honest, Zane gets a bad rap these days, largely because he’s been shut out of mainstream Hollywood productions ever sinceTitanic. That doesn’t really make any sense to me considering he played the villain in one of the highest-grossing films of all time, but outside of his cameo appearances in theZoolandermovies, I’ve only seen one film featuring Billy Zane sinceTitanic, and that was the little-seenRyan GoslingmovieThe Believer. Seriously, this guy’s credits read like hieroglyphics to me, and yet, I really, really enjoyed his villainous turns in bothDead CalmandDemon Knight. He also appeared inTombstone, the cult classic horror filmCritters, and the first twoBack to the Futuremovies, Apparently, Zane took home a Best Actor award at the Golden Movie Awards last week for his role in the romantic dramaLucid. I haven’t heard of that film, or that awards show, but it’s totally possible that Zane is doing solid work under the radar.
Zane will soon be seen in a street-racing series calledCurfewthat co-starsSean BeanandMiranda Richardson. He’s represented by International Artists Management and Underground.
