Movies about 27 club members

1. 6 Casting suggestions to play 27 Club Members
When I first got wind of Jimi: All is by my side, the new biopic about the late and great Jimi Hen-
drix, I was “intrigued” by the choice of casting the 40 year old Andre Benjamin aka Andre 2000 to
play a 20 something Hendrix. My gut reaction was more “Who Now?” than “Hey Ya!”. Fact of the
matter is train wreck flashed in squiggly bright neon Hendrix Experience hues before my minds
eye.
The performance thankfully spurned most of my preconceptions. The movie itself is an interesting
take on the young artist’s coming of age within the churning gears of the music industry. Whereas
so many past biopics of music artists took the epic route, this movie zeros in on a specific epoch in
Hendrix’s life to offer more minimalistic insights into the making of a icon.
Anyway the movie got me thinking who would I cast to lead a biopic of other 27 club members. For
those who don’t know, the 27 club consists of famous musicians, who all died at the young age of
27. Along with Hendrix some other unfortunate headliners include Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Brian
Jones, Amy Winehouse, Robert Johnson and Jim Morrison.
Robert Johnson
As posthumous an addition to the 27 club as you can get. Robert Johnson the famous/infamous
blues legend died in 1938 and found his way onto later versions of the list.
I would give Lamorne Morris, a shot at this role. He is better known as Winston Bishop from New
Girl ( my guilty hangover pleasure/shame)
Why? Not because of his acting prowess, which I do consider understated. (Winston is hilarious
after all). Not, because his life somehow mirrors the legend. It doesn’t. No, it’s simply because I
think he’s the head off him!
Eerily Robert Johnston reputably sold his soul to the Devil to play guitar. This has lead to many
conspiracy theories around the validity of his death. Perhaps Lamorne is in fact the immortal John-
son in the flesh, drawn once again to the limelight.
Wait till the Death Becomes Her crowd wise up to this nasty truth!
Jim Morrison
Garrett Hedlund is no stranger to playing characters in music related films. For me his portrayal of
Johnny Five from the great Inside Llewyn Davis validates this casting choice alone.
When Johnny Five speaks, which is seldom, it is in Morrison like soliloquies bearing form in both
tone of voice and surrealist/psychedelic content. If Llewyn Davis represents a Bob Dylan character
that never made it big, then Johnny Five is a Jim Morrison who never bothered to try.
Not only does Hedlund physically resemble Morrison but he can sing! As exhibited in the not so
great Country Strong.
Another possibility for this role is Michael Fassbender. His acclaimed performance as a troubled
and brilliant musician in the must see Irish movie Frank resonated with Morrison-esque qualities.
The well worth a listen soundtrack is an ode to the doors if ever there was. Granted a big head of
curly ginger Kerry locks might be a tad distracting, but a lick of dye is an easy fix!
Janis Joplin

2. Amy Adams has recently been confirmed as the lead in an upcoming biopic about the 1970s husky
siren. Now I know Joplin looked mature for her age, but like Andre 2000 the 40 year old actor play-
ing a woman in her early to mid twenties is a bit of a stretch.
If the studios are insisting on a big name to fill the striped bell bottoms, I think Jennifer Lawrence
would be a better fit. She already possesses the husky voice and tom boy charm associated with
Joplin.
Perhaps casting an unknown would help audiences connect with the character more than the ac-
tor. This applies to all the members of the 27 club. Often times a big name will draw the spotlight
away from the subject matter, instead focusing audience attention on the portrayal rather than plot.
Kurt Cobain
Think of the early 90s and the image of Kurt Cobain invariably pops into most peoples heads. A
talisman for disaffected youth and the guy who made shy and awkward cool for a while, there has
yet to be a decent flick made about his life. Gus Van Sant’s Last Days was the closest, albeit inad-
vertent attempt, which sadly missed the mark.
Jared Leto would have been the ideal choice about 10 years ago and judging by some of the other
castings on the list might still be in with a shot. I would consider Charlie Hunnam a compelling pro-
spect for the role. He is best known as the star of the T.V. show Sons of Anarchy. Though now
some years adrift from his twenties and a Brit to booth, he has the semblance and demeanour to
make a decent stab at playing the 90s grunge poster boy.
Brian Jones
Founder and original band leader, Brian Jones and the Rolling Stones relationship tragically fal-
tered towards drugs, arrests and estrangement. A cinematic ode to Brian Jones has the makings
of a powerful story arc from success petering towards self destruction. But who to play such a
flawed and gifted character?
How about Eddie Redmayne. He’s the right age, British, a decent enough character actor and can
sing as exhibited in Les Miserables .
Amy Winehouse
It’s hard to believe that almost almost three and a half years have past since the tragic death of
this contemporary icon. More than any other on the list this musician’s struggle with alcohol and
drugs was scrutinised and perhaps fuelled by present day society’s, almost voyeuristic fascination
with celebrity, fed by the panopticon of paparazzi reporting.
I think if she could nail the accent, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace could fit the bill. She is best
known as the lead in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the critically unacclaimed Prometheus.
Stick a beehive on her head and she will look the part, plus her filmography is populated by char-
acters that share Winehouse’s less than sunny disposition.