Thursday, November 20, 2008

Josh Brolin Calls Playing George W. Bush The 'Ultimate Risk' And 'Ultimate Reward'

The leaves are falling, and the turkey is practically in the oven. Yes, according to the calendar, it's time to take stock and give thanks. So that's precisely what we're doing by talking to the actors and filmmakers that made 2008 a memorable year at the movies — a year filled with self-loathing kick-ass superheroes, Manolo-wearing women and the return of a very familiar man in a hat.

How did Josh Brolin get here? Two years ago, he was best known as Sean Astin's big brother in "The Goonies" and Barbra Streisand's stepson. Today, he's sitting on a body of work that in the last two years is virtually unmatched by any other film actor alive. Sure, 2007 was great too, with scene-stealing supporting turns in "American Gangster" and "Grindhouse" and a captivating (if nearly wordless) leading performance in "No Country for Old Men," but 2008 took it to another level.

First, he took on the unenviable task of portraying a sitting president in Oliver Stone's "W." and crafted a full-bodied, complex and, yes, thoughtful performance. And next week, he brings more of that humanity and complexity to what could have been an easy target in "Milk" as Dan White, the man who murdered the famed San Francisco politician in 1978.

Brolin took a look back at the year that was 2008 with MTV News, revealing how his friends and famous family felt about his role in "W.," whether that infamous bar fight in Louisiana was a regret, and why 2009 might see him become an action hero.

MTV: I'm guessing taking on a role like George W. Bush came with some skepticism among your friends and family.

Josh Brolin Calls Playing George W. Bush The Ultimate Risk And Ultimate Reward




Kingston Trio’s Nick Reynolds, 75, dies in SD
(AP)

Eddie Van Halen Pops the Question
(E! Online)

‘W.’ Star Josh Brolin Says Portraying A Sitting President Made The Project ‘More Attractive’