Indiewire
Bette Midler Bails On David Mamet’s Phil Spector Biopic On ”˜Doctor’s Orders’
July 13, 2011
It’s easy to forget these days what a big star Bette Midler was for a period of time. A Broadway and recording star who made her movie debut with thinly-veiled Janis Joplin biopic “The Rose,” Midler had a series of successes in the 80s and 90s, up to 1996’s surprise smash “The First Wives Club,” but since then, her few film appearances have underwhelmed, with a whole generation knowing her principally for seasonal Disney favorite “Hocus Pocus” over anything else.
And it looks like any talk of a Midler comeback may need to be put on hold: the actress (who’s only one Oscar away from having an EGOT) was about to play Linda Kenney Baden, the defense attorney for Phil Spector in the Al Pacino-starring biopic for HBO that David Mamet has just started filming, part of a supporting cast that also includes Jeffrey Tambor. Midler was meant to start shooting yesterday, but didn’t show up for her call-time, and Mamet told the crew two hours later that the actress had pulled out after suffering a herniated disc, on the orders of her doctor, and that the part would be recast.
While dropping out at such late notice won’t win Midler any fans at HBO, there’s no reason to believe for the moment that the reason is anything other than legit: we’re sure Mamet, who scathingly responded to Jeremy Piven dropping out of his play “Speed-The-Plow” after suffering mercury poisoning by congratulating the “Entourage” star on his new career “as a thermometer,” would have something to say on the matter otherwise. Nevertheless, HBO will need to act swiftly, with the cameras already rolling, so we’d expect to see a replacement announced in the next few days. [Deadline]
That’s a crying shame. HBO tends to make some pretty top-notch films, and a pairing between Midler and Pacino would have been EPIC!
I hope she gets well soon and looks for another dramatic film project. I think, FINALLY, the world is ready to see her in a serious dramatic role again!
What a shocker! Bette’s first movie project worth looking forward to in over two decades, most likely a part to resurrect her (faded!) career as a dramatic actress and then she says no because of something so temporary as a herniated disc??? I’m sure there’s lots of pain involved right now, but by the time they have found a replacement her pain will most likely be long gone – but the missed opportunity will last forever! I hope Bette reconsiders – this might be one of the most important career moves for her; singing and performing depend on age, acting depends on talent AND great (rare!) opportunities… I keep my fingers crossed…
There’s astrological interference at play, and I am not suprised!
My horoscope (Capricorn) said I was accident prone so I have been very mindful of that lately! Who knew?!
Plus, a Robin red breast (no not Robin the former Harlette, lmao) has left three eggs on my balcony porch and now they hatched, and I bought some mealworms to help in this process, have to admit its is an amazing experience, wow!
I have a busy weekend ahead, wish me well, y’all!
Plus it wil be very very warm here during the upcoming days!
Send healing thoughts around all those who live in this world, becuz we all need it!
Oh no!! Poor Bette! Hope she has a speedy recovery!
I almost had a heart attack from reading the headline. Hope she’s ok! Herniated disc is serious!
So dissapointing…I hope she has a speedy recovery too!
This can’t be true!! I just saw her filming in NYC! Mr. D is this confirmed?!
Yes, it’s true!
That’s a crying shame. HBO tends to make some pretty top-notch films, and a pairing between Midler and Pacino would have been EPIC!
I hope she gets well soon and looks for another dramatic film project. I think, FINALLY, the world is ready to see her in a serious dramatic role again!
Ahhhh, couldnt of happen at a worse time!!!
Poor Bette, hope she on the mend soon.
Shame they couldnt delay the project.
What a shocker! Bette’s first movie project worth looking forward to in over two decades, most likely a part to resurrect her (faded!) career as a dramatic actress and then she says no because of something so temporary as a herniated disc??? I’m sure there’s lots of pain involved right now, but by the time they have found a replacement her pain will most likely be long gone – but the missed opportunity will last forever! I hope Bette reconsiders – this might be one of the most important career moves for her; singing and performing depend on age, acting depends on talent AND great (rare!) opportunities… I keep my fingers crossed…
Thank you Andrea!
There’s astrological interference at play, and I am not suprised!
My horoscope (Capricorn) said I was accident prone so I have been very mindful of that lately! Who knew?!
Plus, a Robin red breast (no not Robin the former Harlette, lmao) has left three eggs on my balcony porch and now they hatched, and I bought some mealworms to help in this process, have to admit its is an amazing experience, wow!
I have a busy weekend ahead, wish me well, y’all!
Plus it wil be very very warm here during the upcoming days!
Send healing thoughts around all those who live in this world, becuz we all need it!
Thanks and Shout Out to All Bette Heads!
Yay!
Positive thoughts coming your way!