Michael Douglas

[Morty]

Michael Douglas To Play Liberace

11 September 2008 9:13 AM, PDT


Michael Douglas is set to play Liberace in a biopic of the flamboyant Polish-Italian pianist.

Steven Soderbergh is busy developing the project, and has drafted in Richard Lagravanese to write the script.

Soderbergh also wants Matt Damon to play Scott Thorson, who sued Liberace for palimony in 1982, claiming the pair was lovers.

Liberace - real name Wladziu Valentino Liberace - was a huge star in the 1950s and 60s, famous for his showmanship and glittery suits.

He repeatedly refused to acknowledge his homosexuality, right up until his death from AIDS in 1987, at the age of 67 - even successfully suing a British tabloid for suggesting he was gay.

No release date is currently scheduled.

[neilmpenny]

Noooo. this is so wrong on so many levels.

[cindyt]

It may be wrong, Neil, but Mike looks like a skinny Lib, in my opinion. (((Get your dog off my leg, right now!)))

[neilmpenny]

It may be wrong, Neil, but Mike looks like a skinny Lib, in my opinion. (((Get your dog off my leg, right now!)))

Michael is known for punching out villains, not peannah keys. ((Down boy))

[trose]

Maybe it's just me, but yuck!

[michael d]

This sounds like a risk though what else can Douglas do at this point? This could be a trainwreck that I would like to see.

[neilmpenny]

Maybe it's just me, but yuck!

No, it is not only you....yuck.

[John Trim]

I'm wondering if this movie will just cover his later years? There's no way Douglas could pull off playing a younger Liberice.

[Finnegan]

wasn't douglas in rehab for his addiction to sex with women?
fair play to him if he pulls this off. l love it when actors stretch their acting muscles.

[lab_rat]

I'm not sure he can pull it off.

[Frank 'N' Howie]

I'm not sure he can pull it off.

Bet if he channels old Libby he'll pull somethin...I just don't see it...Another question is, why would anyone want to watch a movie about him?!?!?!? I think I'll just turn the tube off that day...

[Laura Castellano]

I think it sounds interesting. Back in the early 70's I had a huge crush on Liberace. I didn't even know what sexuality was about at the time, so I had no clue he liked men instead of women. Michael Douglas is one of my favorite actors, too. Matt Damon, not so much.

[jeca]

Um, this is just wrong. I can't even begin to imagine Douglas in this role.

[beatlebaby4]

Neither can I. Is Michael that desperate for roles?? I dunno about this, I can't see him as Liberace

[Snudgie]

Hahahahahahahahahaha.......just...NO

[deathaddict]

nah michael douglas for liberace noooo disturbing on all aspects! would be fun to watch though

[WordToTheBigBird]

wow I cant imagine him playing a gay guy but you know he has pulled off roles before that I never thought he suited
maybe this one will be just as unique
Im not sure I would want to see him in this kind of role though

[endsleigh03]

This should be interesting. I don't think he'd be doing it if he thought he couldn't pull it off, he isn't known for making bad career moves.

Course, there is always a first time.

[puddles]

I'd love to see this movie, I was never a Liberace fan but the fact that he was such a huge star and had a secret life makes me think this would be an interesting movie to watch!

[Aries65]

Maybe it's just me, but yuck!

Agreed!

I heard at one point someone else was supposed to play him? Robin Williams or someone else?

[FannyB1923]

I'm okay with a good biopic of Liberace providing it shows what a beloved entertainer and excellent performer that he was.
It's unfortunate that he lived in a time where a gay man had to stay in the closet and then to contract AIDS when it was less treatable. I'm okay with honesty about his life, but I'd hate a movie about him to be the tabloid expose treatment.

I think he was a good person and for the most part had a good life.

[bunny]

I dont know about this...I think they could of found someone MUCH better to play Liberace...

[Cubican]

I dont know about this...I think they could of found someone MUCH better to play Liberace...

Nathan Lane maybe??

[STRAIGHT]

That ought to be one very interesting movie indeed!

[John Connor]

I'd love to see this movie, I was never a Liberace fan but the fact that he was such a huge star and had a secret life makes me think this would be an interesting movie to watch!

Me too. I think this may be the role of a lifetime for him.

[hell0kitty]

yah, might work...

[John Trim]

Back in 1988 there was a TV movie about Liberace. In the movie he was played by Andrew Robinson (The Scorpio killer in Dirty Harry). As I remember he did a very good job.

[deathaddict]

Matt Damon is going to be in the film. He's playing Scott Thorson who sued liberace for palimony. now THAT should be interesting.

[Mrs. Watson]

Hmmm could be interesing. I'd like to see a good biopic about Liberace, not some Oliver Stone-esque hyperbole. Michael Douglas? That might work.

My mom never guessed Liberace was gay. She was shocked when I told her. That still makes me laugh.

[Reecy]

I can't wait to see the movie. I loved Libby.

[Sam]

Making a movie about Liberace will kill what's left of Michael Douglas's career just like "Mommie Dearest" did to Fay Dunaway's career!

[Aries65]

Making a movie about Liberace will kill what's left of Michael Douglas's career just like "Mommie Dearest" did to Fay Dunaway's career!

From macho action star to glittering lisping queen at a piano...uh, no, I cant picture Mike playing that...

[NOVSTORM]

Certainly is a change of pace for MD. Wasn't Libby tall?? I saw his conert once and he looked tall to me and MD is short. BUilt up shoes?

[michihunt]

Interesting choice.

[ichabodius]

I'm quite sure that sexmad mike has had many sexual encounters with flaming queens. I'm sure hes researched the part well and will do a fine job! Blow or hand we will have to wait and see.

[MorbidMolly]

I'm quite sure that sexmad mike has had many sexual encounters with flaming queens. I'm sure hes researched the part well and will do a fine job! Blow or hand we will have to wait and see.

OMG .........LMFAOOOOOOOO.......I knew I shouldn`t have opened this.........* snort *

[WhyYesIAmSpecial]

douglas played a gay man in an episode of "will and grace"
they look alike. i think douglas is a good choice.

[crazedfemale]

I think Victor Garber played Liberace in a movie also.

[lizzyann2007]

I'd watch this .. but I will wait and see if Michael Douglas can pull it off before I give my reply, I am thinking he just might be able to pull it off....

[ShatteredMirror]

Douglas as Liberace and Damon as Thorson??...Actually, you know, I can see this working IF the script is right.

[sunshine74137]

This is gonna be a hoot!!!

[Guest]

hehe should be a cool film - although I think Liberace should be played by Wesley Snipes!!

[Aries65]

hehe should be a cool film - although I think Liberace should be played by Wesley Snipes!!

Yikes! Nooooo! I can't stand Wesley Snipes!

Altho Patrick Swayze played a good drag queen in "Julie Newmar..."

[puddles]

I don't know why everyone's freaked about Michael Douglas playing Liberace? he's an actor that's what they do get into character and well...act??

[Cataroo]

I can TOTALLY see Matt Damon as Thorson ... but Michael Douglas as Liberace?? THAT one I don't get at all ...

[SelenaFan]

douglas played a gay man in an episode of "will and grace"
they look alike. i think douglas is a good choice.

I could've never thought of Douglas playing a gay man until u mentioned that. Maybe he can pull it off. It was one of the funniest Will and Grace episodes I think.

[Doug81506]

Michael is known for punching out villains, not peannah keys. ((Down boy))

i think taking on a role that is very different from yourself is called "acting", a lost art in hollywood these days.

[John Trim]

We're not going to have to see Michael Douglas and Matt Damon kissing each other are we?

[Katrinawitch]

Whaaat??? I really wonder how the heck he's gonna pull this role off.

I'm not a huge fan of his. He was very good looking when he was younger, but now he's kind of like Skeletor, and has no upper lip. I mean, at all! I just can't trust a guy with no upper lip!

The way he and Catherine Zeta Jones got together just kinda irks me. He saw her in "Zorro", and had his people call her people. She's way too young for him.

[sunshine74137]

Yesterday I watched a movie on lifetime where Brooke shields played a lesbian, I thought that was a stretch, but she did a good job I bawled my eyes out. ( her partner dies and the grandparents are fighting Brooke for custody of her child.)