Audrey Williams Cast in Hank Williams Biopic
The upcoming biopic on Hank Williams entitled I Saw The Light has its leading lady. The part of Audrey Williams—Hank’s first wife and one of the foremost influences on his music—will be played by Elizabeth Olsen, little sister of famous twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and recent star of films such as Captain America:The Winter Soldier and Godzilla. She will play Audrey across from Tom Hiddleston, who is known for his own acting in comic books films as well as other roles. They will be directed by Marc Abraham, who also wrote the screenplay for the film based off of Colin Escott’s Hank Williams biography.
Like her sisters, Elizabeth Olsen began acting at a very young age. At 4-years-old she was appearing in the movies of her older twin sisters, but walked away from acting briefly after the controversy surrounding Mary-Kate’s eating disorder. Her role in the 2011 movie Martha Marcy May Marlene is given credit for starting her acting career in earnest, and Elizabeth has since starred in eleven other films, including another comic book movie, Avengers: Age of Ultron set to be released in 2015.
Audrey Williams, born Audry Mae Sheppard, was married to Hank Williams from December 15, 1944, until July 10, 1952. Hank Williams later remarried, but as a performer herself, an important player in the Hank Williams estate after Hank’s death, and the mother of Hank Williams Jr., Audrey’s influence on both the story of Hank Williams and country music as a whole looms large. Audrey played upright bass in Hank’s band upon occasion, and had aspirations of stepping out into her own spotlight. “Her duets with Hank were like an extension of their married life in that she fought him for dominance on every note,” says biographer Colin Escott. Audrey is buried beside Hank Williams in Montgomery, Alabama.
The casting of Tom Hiddleston as Hank Williams has already stimulated some controversy. Hank3, the grandson of Hank Williams has criticized the casting, saying that it should be an American or a Southerner to play the Hillbilly Shakespeare. Video of Tom Hiddleston singing Hank Williams surfaced over the weekend from the Wheatland Music Festival in Michigan.
The production for I Saw The Light is also gearing up for an open casting call for some of the movie’s smaller speaking roles and extras. The casting call will be held on September 14th from 11 AM to 4 PM at 6901 W. 70th Shreveport, LA 71129. They are also soliciting the public for classic cars to use in the film.
“Also we are looking for extras of all ages (mostly adults) and anyone who has any ‘western outfits’ should attend the open call wearing those outfits,” the casting call operated by Legacy Casting says. “We are also seeking period vehicles 1930-1950. It is not necessary to bring the vehicle, but please bring good photographs of the vehicles. Everyone should bring non-returnable current photos of themselves for us to keep.”
I Saw The Light will begin shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana in mid October. Rodney Crowell is the Executive Music Producer for the film.
September 11, 2014 @ 5:15 pm
Im still wondering about the other main characters in this movie. Like Rufus Tee Tot Payne. What about a teenage Hank? Thats a key part of the story… If I lived in shreveport id take my todler son up there to audition for Randalls part. I can teach him to sing any hank song better than tom hiddleston ever could I betcha. ” but the greatest one of all was called luke the drifter. He wore diamond rings and his tailor made cowboy suits. Lordy he was a honky tonk ramblon man, he had the whole world in the palm of his hand. Til he died at 29 from the lovesick blues. Like ol billy the kid and jesse he had nothin to lose.”
September 11, 2014 @ 6:10 pm
weird
September 11, 2014 @ 6:25 pm
This makes me more hopeful because she is outstanding. Forget her big budget action flicks ”“ Watch Martha Marcy May Marlene and you’ll be convinced of her talent. One of my favorite films of 2011.
September 11, 2014 @ 7:39 pm
I agree, she is excellent. It makes me feel like this movie is truly gonna give a full effort and not just a half ass movie.
September 12, 2014 @ 6:39 pm
Hey Hank,
I’m not unconvinced of her talent, and I’m certain she is a nice young lady.
But I am unconvinced of her depth and her authenticity, i.e., her Southern chops…
September 13, 2014 @ 11:56 am
Ben,
I appreciate and respect your thoughts very much. I’m not from the south, nor am I an actor so I’m definitely no expert on the issue. Prior to filming any movie or television show, it’s nearly impossible to predict how well an individuals performance will be. I am hopeful though that she will play the role well as long as the script and chemistry are top notch.
September 13, 2014 @ 6:38 pm
Hank,
Let me put it this way. If Abraham had made a movie in Ireland about say, Brendan
Behan, do you think he would have cast a great Irish actor like Richard Harris, or would he have cast a fine American actor like Robert De Niro and taken him over?
Casting is often just common sense, and when dealing with a Southern cultural icon,
common sense says don’t insult your audience and don’t insult the culture. And we know that Hiddleston is relatively clueless about singing country blues.
An insulting mistake, and the flacks can dress up as they are already doing, but the insult can’t be retrieved. That one is on Abraham, not Hiddleston….
September 16, 2014 @ 2:53 pm
Southerners aside, I don’t think most people view Hank Williams a “Southern cultural icon” so much as an American folk icon.
I understand that many southerners are jealous of Hank’s legacy, but I frankly don’t think it’s that big an issue if the goal is to make a good movie. We’ve had a Brit (Anthony Hopkins) play Richard Nixon, an Aussie (Mel Gibson) play William Wallace and a fictional Revolutionary War hero based on several real characters, and another Brit (Edward Hogg) play a true Southern icon, Jesco White, just to name a few.
I’d much rather see a well-done movie starring a first-rate actor that can channel the character well than a thrown-together hack job starring people who “deserve” the roles for some reason other than their acting skills.
JMHO, of course.
September 16, 2014 @ 3:54 pm
Hey Tom,
It’s a bit difficult to follow your logic on this one. “Southerners aside”?? Being shunted “aside” is the problem I’m discussing. Are you saying that because Hank Williams; was
an influential Southerner (“an American icon”) that anybody can play the part, despite lacking knowledge of Hank’s native culture? Duhhhh….Because Mel Gibson played a
15th century Scotsman? Do what? Because Anthony Hopkins played Nixon? Oh, that makes perfect sense….
Nobody is saying that anyone “deserves” the part. And I would add, that would go
double for British actors who are unfamiliar with the South. Oh, I see, he is going to
“channel’ the part. Wonder where you picked up that lingo?
Well, to me that is bullshit. Howcum he didn’t “channel” Hank’s singing at that embarrassing fiasco up in Michigan? If you are going to flack a movie, get good at it….
September 12, 2014 @ 5:36 am
She only had a 30 second cameo at the end of Winter Soldier, she did not star in it.
September 12, 2014 @ 6:33 pm
Well, she learned her Southern accent at NYU, but I guess Abraham figured
that since she grew up in Southern California, she could play “Southern” with no problem.
Again, there are scores of wonderful Southern girls who didn’t get a shot at this part.
Did you ever hear Miss Audrey sing “Bluebird on My Window Sill”?
I don’t really think you want to…..
September 13, 2014 @ 11:57 am
Audrey deffinatley couldnt carry a tune in a bucket…. and Hanks second wife Bobbie Jean Jones was a pretty dang attractive lady for the times.
September 13, 2014 @ 10:39 am
She was not in Captain America 2, except in a post-credits scene; she will be in Avengers 2.
September 14, 2014 @ 10:52 am
She’s much prettier than Audrey was. Susan Oliver in 60’s movie ‘Your Cheatin’ Heart’ was prettier than Audrey too…