Gyllenhall + Namath = Go Jets!

 

Variety reports that Jake Gyllenhaal is going to play football superhero Joe Namath in an upcoming biopic that's been approved by Namath himself, who believes that Gyllenhall has the athleticism to pull off playing the boy with the golden arm from Beaver Falls, PA. One of the highest paid professional football players of the 60s and 70s and a true spotlight hog who at least once sat on the sidelines during a game wearing -- is that mink? Chinchilla? -- (and I know I'm the only one here old enough to remember his pantyhose commercials), this sounds like a great project for Gyllenhaal so I hope nobody fucks it up. Dave Hollander will write the script once the strike is over.

Meanwhile, our Adorable Animation Desk reports . . .

(actually, it's just Playbill) that Six Feet Under sis Lauren Ambrose is replacing Michelle Williams' vocal talents in Spike Jonze's film production of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story of a boy who gets send to bed without supper and voyages to a land filled with beasts who bow down to him as king, Where the Wild Things Are. Other cast members in this live-action-combined-with-animation project include Tom Hanks! Katherine Keener! James Gandolfini (gee, what's he going to play?). Jonze collaborated on the script with Dave Eggers and it's due out next fall.

Comments

[Lilly Munster]

I also remember Namath's pantyhose commercial, very funny. I think it was for Hanes. Also, who can forget Burt Reynolds nude (but R rated) spread in Cosmo? (although some may want to)

[BaltimoreGal]

I horrifyingly remember all that, although I was young. Didn't Jim Palmer do something in that vein too?

[Jamie]

Do you think it will go "Raging Bull" and extend into Namath's later life and recent embarassments? I hope so (and I don't mean that in a mocking way) -- would make for a powerful film, I'd bet -- and I think Jake Gyl could pull it off.

I remember the pantyhose commercials and DON'T think I'm (too) old. But maybe I was seeing them in second run ;)

[jenB]

I remember all of it, and love it! Although not a huge sports fan, i do love sports movies.

[el]

Yes...but how many people are old enough to remember that Joe Namath once had an affair with Janis Joplin?