Warner Brothers : "Tales from the Gangster Squad"

[Story]

Those hankering for more "Departed"-like movies from Hollywood -- original movies with well-paced action, a strong sense of place and a cross-section of colorful characters -- will probably get their itch tickled when "The Town," Ben Affleck's Boston-set crime drama, hits in the fall.
Now it looks as if they could be getting another scratch as "Tales from the Gangster Squad," an action movie conceived as an ensemble piece for a group of top-level actors, picks up momentum.

The film, based on a series of 2008 articles in the Los Angeles Times by Paul Lieberman, examines an LAPD unit that's set up in the 1940s to fend off the growing influence of the East Coast Mafia in the city. Of course the police group becomes very powerful, the battles with the Mafia escalate, and mayhem and betrayals ensue. (You can read Lieberman's series here.)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/06/gangster-movies-departed-the-town-gangster-squad.html

Original Fedoralounge thread here -
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=35227

 

[Story]

See larger image

Late last month, it was reported that Sean Penn and Ryan Gosling were extended offers by Warner Bros to star in "Tales from the Gangster Squad". The story is strengthened today with the announcement that these two have had negotiations with the studio and may star opposite Josh Brolin who is newly-added to the equation.

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00039947.html

 

[Kirk H.]

Those hankering for more "Departed"-like movies from Hollywood -- original movies with well-paced action, a strong sense of place and a cross-section of colorful characters -- will probably get their itch tickled when "The Town," Ben Affleck's Boston-set crime drama, hits in the fall.
Now it looks as if they could be getting another scratch as "Tales from the Gangster Squad," an action movie conceived as an ensemble piece for a group of top-level actors, picks up momentum.

The film, based on a series of 2008 articles in the Los Angeles Times by Paul Lieberman, examines an LAPD unit that's set up in the 1940s to fend off the growing influence of the East Coast Mafia in the city. Of course the police group becomes very powerful, the battles with the Mafia escalate, and mayhem and betrayals ensue. (You can read Lieberman's series here.)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/06/gangster-movies-departed-the-town-gangster-squad.html

Original Fedoralounge thread here -
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=35227

I am interested in seeing this. The description reminds me a little of the late 1980's made for tv movie "Man Against The Mob, Trouble in the City of Angels" staring George Peppard. The Hat Squad could be back on the silver screen.

Kirk H.

 

[Packin' Heat]

The Gangster Squad.

Sean Penn is slated to play Mickey Cohen in an upcoming movie that's something like The Untouchables, except set in L.A. in the 40's-50's instead of Prohibition-era Chicago.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1321870/

Personally, I think James Gandolfini would be a much better choice.

Anyway, is there anyone else here interested in seeing this?

 

[C-dot]

Eh... Not if Sean Penn is playing Mickey. He wouldn't be very convincing as a gangster.

I view these modern period films with intense skepticism. There is inevitably an inaccuracy of some sort that drives me up the wall, like modern slang or a misrepresentation of 40's-50's era life. Most historically correct elements would be lost on today's moviegoers, though, so I suppose these have to be edited it so it makes sense to them.

That's just my pessimistic opinion

 

[Benny Holiday]

C'mon casting crew, Gandolfini is made for this - and it ain't like he can't play a gangster for cryin' out loud.

 

[cookie]

I thought this had already been covered in Mulholland Falls with Nick Nolte et al?

 

[Story]

I thought this had already been covered in Mulholland Falls with Nick Nolte et al?

Since when is Hollywood limited to one-movie-per-topic/event?

 

[Flipped Lid]

Harvey Keitel played Mickey Cohen in the movie Bugsy that starred Warren Beatty as Bugsy Seigel. It was a pretty lousy movie, but Keitel was magnificent. He was nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for his role. Keitel is way too old for the part now. Neither Penn nor Gandolfini strike me as being right for the part, but I seldom go to movies these days so it really doesn't matter to me.

 

[Gray Ghost]

Just leave it to Hollywierd to screw something up. James Gandolfini looks like the guy and he is used to playing Mob. I don't like anything that Sean Penn is in.

=GG=

 

[C-dot]

Since when is Hollywood limited to one-movie-per-topic/event?

They aren't, but they do have a tendency for overkill, and maim the top/event more each time. Pouring salt on a dead horse, so to speak...

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

I think James Gandolfini is too tall, though he does bear a close resemblance to Mickey Cohen. The real life L.A. crime boss was of much shorter stature (5' 5").

 

[SgtRick]

I won't see anything Sean Penn is in.

 

[Kirk H.]

I won't see anything Sean Penn is in.

I agree with you. But just thinking about the movie and who could play Mickey I keep thinking of Bob Hoskins. He has the height 5'5" and has played tough gangsters before such as Owney Madden in the Cotton Club. Just a wild thought.

Kirk H.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

I still keep thinking of Sean Penn as Jeff Spicoli

[video=youtube;SqqGFoASs9s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqqGFoASs9s&feature=related[/video]

 

[Rats Riley]

One of my favorite character actors of late is Paul Giamatti. I think with his facial features and height, he would be an excellent Mickey!
[video=youtube;-3ywc_7_IE8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3ywc_7_IE8&playnext=1&list=PLA02E47CD1E49003C[/video]
[video=youtube;w7RSQ-d6QR8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7RSQ-d6QR8[/video]
http://www.empireonline.com/images/image_index/original/51409.jpg
http://l.yimg.com/eb/ymv/us/img/hv/...derella_man/_group_photos/russell_crowe24.jpg
http://l.yimg.com/eb/ymv/us/img/hv/.../cinderella_man/paul_giamatti/cinderella1.jpg
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/S.../050606_Issue/050527_CinderellaMan_xtrawi.jpg

 

[C-dot]

I agree with you. But just thinking about the movie and who could play Mickey I keep thinking of Bob Hoskins. He has the height 5'5" and has played tough gangsters before such as Owney Madden in the Cotton Club. Just a wild thought.

Ooh he's great in period pieces! "Toons..." *Exhales cigarette smoke*

But alas, time takes its toll...

 

[Kirk H.]

Ooh he's great in period pieces! "Toons..." *Exhales cigarette smoke*

But alas, time takes its toll...

Yeah, you are right, but with some good make up maybe. I just can not see Sean Penn doing it. I do like Rats Riley's suggestion of Paul Giamatti too.

Kirk H.

 

[C-dot]

Yeah, you are right, but with some good make up maybe. I just can not see Sean Penn doing it. I do like Rats Riley's suggestion of Paul Giamatti too.

Agreed. I too keep seeing him as Spicoli lol Giamatti, to me, wouldn't be as ideal as Gandolfini, but still a far better suggestion than Penn.

 

[Rats Riley]

Now my other suggestion would be a bit young for the role, but they could work this out!

Stephen Graham! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Graham_(actor)

[video=youtube;Lv1wEUq2vyA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv1wEUq2vyA&feature=related[/video]
I think this guy is going to be the next Joe Pesci or Robert DeNiro

Reminds me of myself at a younger age...

Eh...deNiro might be a stretch...But still a damn good actor!