Screen Junkies » John Hawkes

Who Should Play ‘The Walking Dead’s’ Governor?

Wookie Johnson — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:45:30 +0000

News broke yesterday that John Hawkes (Martha Marcy May Marlene, Winter’s Bone, Eastbound & Down) was in the running to play The Governor on The Walking Dead. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out.

For those unfamiliar with the comic, The Governor is the worst villain in the series run. Evil incarnate. It’s awesome that the character will be on the show, however, it seems a bit soon in the mythology to bring him in. Though Walking Dead could use s creative jolt, and this storyline is a good way to do that.

But John Hawkes doesn’t need to play the part. In fact, there are several guys creepy enough (or who are at least able to grow a cool goatee) to pull it off. In no particular order, these are those guys. (via The Wrap)

Tom Savini

There are so many reasons why this role should go to Savini. First, he broke the news about John Hawkes. Second, he loves zombies. Third, the guy was seemingly modeled after him. However, it seems like Savini wasn’t taking the hint when The Walking Dead producers were trying to let him down soft. Whereas Savini is great in schlocky over-the-top genre films, his acting might not be “just wooden enough” for The Walking Dead.

Daniel Buran

Daniel Buran could take this role, hold it captive, and slowly torture it. He proved this with his largely underused role on True Blood last season. Also, check out the physical resemblance. The characters of werewolf pack leader Marcus and the Governor have a lot of crossover. If he’s up for the typecasting, this could and should be his.

Danny Trejo

I don’t really see Danny Trejo as getting this role but wouldn’t it be cool? Problem is, Danny Trejo is far too badass and outwardly scary. Though incredibly evil, the Governor is a nuanced character whose shady intentions must remain ambiguous for a time. It’s hard to be charmed by someone with such a rough exterior.

Elizabeth Olsen FREAKS OUT In ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’ Trailer

Wookie Johnson — Wed, 04 May 2011 20:29:43 +0000

Elizabeth Olsen made a big splash at this past year’s Sundance Film Festival with her appearance in Martha Marcy May Marlene. Now, those of us who have trouble breathing in high altitudes can see what all the hub-bub was about.

In this trailer, the newly-discovered credible Olsen seems really solid in the role of a girl who returns to her family after spending time with a cult. And John Hawkes is effortlessly creepy as the cult leader. I bet he watches his people poop. Seems like the type.

The film hits theaters on October 7th and Cannes before that. I have to say, Olsen nails this role of a confused girl freaking out for no apparent reason. It’s a flawless Mischa Barton impression.

Helen Hunt Takes The Creepiest Job Imaginable

Joseph Gibson — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:01:09 +0000

You might remember the premise behind The Surrogate, mostly because it’s creepy as hell. But in case you don’t, here it is in a nutshell: Mark O’Brien (as played by John Hawkes) was a writer afflicted with polio, which paralyzed him from the neck down and forced him to live in an iron lung for most of his life. In order to try and satisfy his sexual desires, he hired a “surrogate.”

Now we know who’s going to be playing O’Brien’s sexual surrogate: Helen Hunt, which fits because what is Helen Hunt if not America’s sexual surrogate? Anyway, Hunt will play a character “who goes through her own challenges as she struggles to separate her personal and professional lives, including explaining her career to her 12-year-old son.” Man, I remember when my mom explained to me that she made a living as a sexual surrogate for a paraplegic writer. It’s a conversation no parent wants to have, but they all have to eventually. (Variety)

John Hawkes To Follow Up ‘Winter’s Bone’ With Something Depressing Instead

Joseph Gibson — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:55:55 +0000

Actors often say that they don’t want to get pigeonholed, so they change up the type of projects they take so as not to get into a rut. And so it appears to be with recently Oscar-nominated John Hawkes (“Eastbound and Down“), who must not want to be to heavily associated with bright and happy comedies like Winter’s Bone – because his next movie is Surrogate, about a poet who spent his entire life from age 6 in an iron lung due to polio.

That’s not even the most depressing part, though. You might be wondering why the movie is called Surrogate. Here’s the horrifying truth: The poet (named Mark O’Brien), had a point in his life during which he hired a “sex surrogate to help him explore his sexuality.” Ugggghhhhh! I mean, more power to Mark O’Brien but UGGGHHHH, right? Anyway, it’s not known whether Hawkes will be playing O’Brien or the titular surrogate, but either way, this is going to be a depressing-ass movie. I hope he goes back to doing light, funny movies like Winter’s Bone soon. (via The Playlist)

Spirit Award Winners Last Oscars Indicator That Isn’t The Oscars

Joseph Gibson — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 08:36:52 +0000

The Independent Spirit Awards are designed to shed light on the lesser, more independent films that are released each year – so of course it makes sense that they also serve as a predictor of the most mainstream awards ceremony in all of Hollywood. Or does it? It could be that since the requirements to be considered an “independent film” are somewhat stringent (see the decreased number of nominated films compared to the Oscars as an example), this isn’t any better a predictor than tea leaves or fortune cookies. Anyway, here’s a list of the major winners:

Best Feature: Black Swan

Best Female Lead: Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Best Male Lead: James Franco, 127 Hours

Best Supporting Female: Dale Dickey, Winter’s Bone

Best Supporting Male: John Hawkes, Winter’s Bone

Best Director: Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan

Interesting stuff — we’ll see if these three movies can do anywhere near as well at the Oscars, given that they have so much more competition. You can get a complete list of all the winners over at IMDb.