Quick Take: Gore Vidal on Film
Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 3:00PM 
Variety recently announced that Kevin Spacey is to bring Gore Vidal to our screens in a Netflix original film. Directed by Michael Hoffman (dir. The Last Station), Spacey might be the most perfect casting, and judging by some coded, jovial remarks at the Tony Awards this year, may relish a role like this.
Vidal's life has previously been on screen in documentaries: Gore Vidal: United States of Amnesia and Best of Enemies, about his combative relationship with William F. Buckley.
Vidal: Writer, bon vivant, public intellectual and unapologetic homosexual has a rich, albeit chequered history in cinema. Screenwriter for the frenzied Suddenly, Last Summer, debauched bloodbath Caligula and his own notorious novel Myra Breckinridge was adapted into X-rated 1970 film.
And as uncredited writer of Ben-Hur, he was responsible for those lingering glances between Stephen Boyd and Charlton Heston - not that Heston ever knew that...
Reader Comments (10)
Hmm how much homosexual activity can we expect with Kevin Spacey in the lead?
Wasn't the "The Station Agent" directed by Tom McCarthy?
Sorry, but I just have to post this clip as it's (somewhat) relevant: https://youtu.be/20aLCyE30wg
Fine. I only hope he doesn't use the Underwood tone.
Yes, I think you mean THE LAST STATION, not THE STATION AGENT.
The bits and pieces I've read by Gore Vidal certainly make a strong impression. He's so clever and astringent and memorable.
Comparing Spacey and Vidal side by side though ... Vidal just seems so different. Vidal seems to have the utter surety and confidence that comes from growing up in an intellectual and social elite, and having one of the best brains of the bunch.
Whereas Spacey seems more mercurial. Great actor though. It will be interesting to see what he does with this.
Wasn't Ryan Murphy rumored to be considering adapting Best of Enemies (or maybe expanding upon it) for Feud?
I have to agree with adri. Spacey seems too limited by his current persona (and maybe too hammy) to pull off a credible version of Gore Vidal.
The Last Fruitvale Station Agent Carter of Mars! Sometimes they all roll into one.
@ MDA that was the first time I'd ever even heard of Gore Vidal!!!
Well this is officially never going to happen.