Hank3 to Tom Hiddleston: “You Got No Soul or Moan In Your Voice”
The saga continues around the casting of Tom Hiddleston as the iconic Hank Williams for an upcoming biopic on country’s first superstar called I Saw The Light. Though filming isn’t even scheduled to start for another few weeks, the concerns of having a British native play the park of Hank has some country music fans in a stir.
The grandson of Hank Williams, Hank Williams III (or Hank3), spoke out previously about the casting, worried that Hiddleston was not the right person for the part.
“To do a Hank Williams movie the way it should be done you need certain aspects in the mix to make right,” said Hank3. “It goes way beyond having an American to play the role of Hiram Hank Williams, Sr. for it to be somewhat natural, needs to be an American from the South who has eat lived and breathed these kind of roles before to make more respectable movie on Hank Sr.”
Hank3 suggested that recent Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey could do it, though he said this was only a suggestion, not a specific request.
Over the weekend, video surfaced of Tom Hiddleston making a surprise appearance at the Wheatland Music Festival in Michigan on Saturday (9-7) where performed a rendition of the Hank Williams classic “Move It On Over.” On Sunday, Hiddleston returned to Wheatland with mentor Rodney Crowell who has been personally working with Hiddleston to sing a version of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.”
Since then Hank3 has responded yet again. In a comment right here on Saving Country Music, and on his personal Facebook page, Hank3 said, “You got no soul or moan in your voice,” in response to Tom Hiddleston’s video, and posted a video of himself singing Hank Sr.’s “Long Gone Lonesome Blues” from his Live in Scotland album.
UPDATE: Hank3 has subsequently added in another comment on Saving Country Music:
Its very simple to make a great movie you start off with great foundation. And as far as a European actor playing a American Icon in my eyes that in its self is a super weak foundation for a Country Music Icon. My view on that alone topic alone will never change no matter who the European actor is. If it was your family being represented by a outsider you might have the same feelings. Keep that in mind.
Tom Hiddleston has done his best to reassure fans that he will do the best job he can portraying the Hillbilly Shakespeare. Tom said in late June,
The film is about the man behind the myth, the power of his music, the sheer voltage of his talent and charisma, and his formidable demons,” Hiddleston says. “He worked hard, played hard, lived hard there were women, there was whiskey but when he sang about being in the doghouse in ‘Move It On Over’, or about his heartbreak in ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’, it came from an honest place. Hank’s life has a tragic arc, but in simple truth, he was a genius: a star that burned twice as bright and lived half as long. It’s a huge role for me and a huge responsibility. I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”
The role of Hank Williams is likely to be a discussion point all the way up to the release of the film. The production for I Saw The Light has already secured the rights to Hank’s songs from publishing company Sony ATV, and have said that along with Hank’s original recordings, Hiddleston will be performing certain songs in the movie live.
Hank3 is currently getting ready to leave on tour.
September 8, 2014 @ 4:11 pm
Dear III,
Shut up and make a decent record.
September 8, 2014 @ 8:26 pm
Dear Autopsy IV
Please listen to Risin’ Outlaw or Straight to Hell…
September 8, 2014 @ 9:45 pm
I think he means a decent new album.
September 10, 2014 @ 3:57 pm
I don’t think its unreasonable for a guys grandson to be upset about who portraying his grandfather in a movie. I’m sure 3 has a lot more insight and knowledge about who his grandfather was and what kind of guy was. Not to mention the sound and look of the character that is playing hand sr looks and sounds nothing like the original… BTW what does having a couple albums that aren’t up to par of some of his previous albums have ANYTHING to do with him stating his opinion?
December 3, 2015 @ 1:27 pm
The movie score on Rotten Tomatoes is less than 40%. They had to delay the film a couple months because they had to reshoot scenes, because of the film being really bad. I think Huddleston can’t pull it off. He kind of looks like him, but that’s about it.
These sorts of movies never seem to really do that well. Jonny Depp was only really able to portray Hunter Thompson because he lived with him for a year.
Huddleston should have contacted Hank Williams III and maybe spent some time down in the south.
September 8, 2014 @ 4:20 pm
I was skeptical of Joaquin Phoenix playing Johnny Cash but it turned out to be pretty good. I’m hoping for the same here.
September 8, 2014 @ 4:24 pm
Let’s be real here, Hank was just saying what most of is were thinking when we heard it. No disrespect to Tom Hiddleston, it’s just the cold, hard truth.
September 9, 2014 @ 2:28 pm
Not that it will make much difference to those people who have made their minds up already but that’s a fan recording with excruciating distortion
Here is the official Wheatlands video which has less distortion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q82CFEzBt8#t=26Finally
Personally I do not think it matters what nationality you are. Merryll Streep American played British Maggie Thatcher, Daniel Day Lewis (Irish) played Lincoln and was Oscar nominate. Now if it was an American trying to play a Canadian I would be up in arms. How can an American understand political correctness or what it is like to reach near perfection..
Whilst I understand that hearing someone else sing songs by your favourite artist on screen is always difficult I also feel most good bios do not aim for a perfect copy but let the life story and the acting speak for itself. So me I am going to watch the film before I make up my mind
September 9, 2014 @ 4:40 pm
I’ve added the new video to this post. Thanks for sharing.
September 10, 2014 @ 11:35 am
Hey Trigger,
It stlll sucks, and now they can’t say it was the bad sound….
Culture clashes in his voice, I fear.
Ben
September 9, 2014 @ 5:30 pm
III has the DNA and looks to pull it off. It would give me a big pinch, too.
September 8, 2014 @ 4:35 pm
I thinks Hank3 should have played the part. Obviously.
September 8, 2014 @ 4:43 pm
Tell em Shelton
September 8, 2014 @ 4:56 pm
I was a vocal proponent of Hiddleston, but after hearing and seeing him perform a classic Hank Williams song I’m really skeptical. It’s not that I want to hear the exact high nasally trademarks of Hank’s singing style, but he didn’t even come close to capturing Hank’s emotion, phrasing, or energy. Is it too early to start worrying?
September 8, 2014 @ 5:31 pm
He wasn’t my first choice to play Hank, but I think he will do fine. The important thing here is that big-budget film is being made about Hank Williams! This will put the spotlight back on Hank and bring his music to younger ears regardless of who’s portraying him.
September 8, 2014 @ 6:57 pm
I’m curious as to why you aren’t playing this role….seems you’d be the obvious choice….hmmmm
September 8, 2014 @ 7:09 pm
Haha! I didn’t even notice the irony, but my nickname as Hank comes from somewhere completely unrelated to the legend!
September 8, 2014 @ 11:25 pm
I fear that Hank Williams music is “rock” enough for most younguns. Too much twang in the thang. But one can hope that this will bring his music to new ears. I’ve only recently been digging deep into his work got stuck on Rose Madoxx of all people and I was just listening to Mind Your Own Business and frankly if that song should be sent out to half the people I know…
But really how can you fill any role properly. Just imagine trying to find somebody to play B.B. King or JAMES BROWN, which has been done and it looks meh- Has any movie really done an artist justice? I liked What’s Love Got To Do With It alright and The Buddy Holly Story but most of the time they seem to go to easy onthe artist in question.
September 8, 2014 @ 5:41 pm
Yeah! Rodney Crowell!
September 8, 2014 @ 5:59 pm
While I wasn’t super impressed by the video, I’m not going to jump the gun and call it the worst thing ever because it was recorded on a smart phone, and I find getting an actor who can pull off the role is far more important than sounding exactly like Hank did.
That being said, even if they had cast someone born and raised in the south, I don’t think anyone could live up the Hank3’s very high expectations.
September 8, 2014 @ 6:06 pm
First of all, Hank3 is right, and my only hope it that Hiddleston’s camp purposely released this to judge the reaction and see if the performance needs tweaking (it does). That being said, I still think as acting goes, Hiddleston will be just fine.
Second of all,after watching Hank3’s video, it linked me to a performance of him at The Grand Ole Opry singing Hank songs. I could not believe it. It was like watching a ghost. That performance is highly recommended. I had no idea he ever sang at the Opry, but I wish the Opry would man up and mend some fences there. Hank should be honorably reinstated and Hank3 should be performing there. That was pure magic. Maybe the positive Hank buzz that will come from the film will lead to some action on the Opry’s part. One can only hope.
September 8, 2014 @ 6:08 pm
You can’t blame the guy for taking the role. Blame the people who chose him. But damn, that wheatland recording is bad!
September 8, 2014 @ 6:34 pm
Sorry y’all, this casting is a bad idea. If Hiddleston doesn’t have a good enough ear
to even get close to Hank’s moaning, bluesy honky-tonk style, how is he going to have a good enough ear to catch his essential Southerness?
Hank Williams stands at the top of the Country Music pantheon, and has ever since he walked onstage at the Ryman and launched into “Lovesick Blues”.
He doesn’t need to have his career revived by a British actor in a slick Hollywood biopic. Hank Williams stands alone.
September 8, 2014 @ 8:47 pm
Just wanted to say Mr. Ben Jones, or as we all knownyou, Cooter, that it is awesome to see you one here sticking up for real music and real southern values. You are a class act. And, of course, I still love Dukes and watch it any chance I get!
September 8, 2014 @ 6:57 pm
Hank3 criticizing vocals makes me laugh. The dude can’t sing for shit–I don’t care how good his music might be. When a voice is grating to the ears, the substance doesn’t matter.
Hiddleston will do just fine.
September 8, 2014 @ 7:40 pm
Filming isn’t slated to start for a month or so on this movie. We have no clue what his vocal quality will be by the time filming begins, or what it will sound like after post-production.
I wouldn’t judge Hiddleston until we actually hear some officially released audio from the production.
September 8, 2014 @ 8:32 pm
I’m sure Tom’s performance was just research or prep for his role. I see no need to get bent out of shape about it. I’m just glad Hank 3 wasn’t cast as the lead in the film. I feel much more confident in the abilities of a seasoned actor. People seem to forget that acting is the main part of a film and this isn’t just about a musical performance. Hank 3 may be able to imitate his grandfather, but I doubt he could act as well as Tom. Once Tom gets into character, the singing will, most likely, fall into place.
Also, I’m sure Hank 3 is loving the publicity he’s getting from complaining about Tom. I’m not a Hank 3 fan at all. Holly Williams is by far the most musically talented of hank Williams grandchildren. Her writing is outstanding and she definitely doesn’t need to rely on her family name to make it.
September 8, 2014 @ 10:53 pm
He can sing, there’s no doubt about that, it doesn’t however sound much like Hank himself. I was semi-optimistical when i heard about his casting, but that’s turning to skepticism now… His voice/performance just misses something
September 9, 2014 @ 4:57 am
I know what Hank III means. Hank Sr., the greatest legend of country music, deserves a little bit more.
I´m thinking about people like Paco Sánchez from Florida, for instance, the frontman of the Spanish country hellbilly group Dead Bronco:
http://youtu.be/BPIRU9WAKqI
Some Hank´s renditions by Paco (his real name is Mathew)
http://youtu.be/8anwcgZbulo
http://youtu.be/VgJfcAhGf4A
http://youtu.be/P6BPziPPiZc
September 9, 2014 @ 8:33 am
his accent is horribly fake.
September 9, 2014 @ 12:47 pm
Everybody´s got an opinion, but talking about facts this group has Bob Wayne´s tour manager for Europe and after Holland their going to play in France and Belgium. They also has a fast growing fan base in a hard market. Perhaps they find him/them not so “horribly fake”, but an artist/group to respect.
September 9, 2014 @ 5:03 am
I think it’s possible that the producers might NOT want the lonesome moan. You have to remember they’re selling movie tickets to the same people that buy Jason Aldean tickets. I’m sure nearly all here would disagree, but many are turned off by the nasally whine of traditional country vocals.
On a side note: man Shelton used to be able to really sing it! It’s sad that the sound quality of that Live in Scotland album is better than any of his albums since Lovesick.
September 9, 2014 @ 6:52 am
When I was reading the comments section I was thinking the same thing! They are trying to sell tickets to the bro country/moonshine in the moonlight/tailgate crowd. Not much blues moaning or real (not faked) Southern twang in that bunch. At the end of the day it’s about making money and they’re going to put out a product that they think is going to make the most profit. I hope that they don’t sacrifice an amazing story in an attempt to modernize the music and image. I’ve often thought that there has always been too much Hank name dropping in the newer music but not near enough folks actually listening to his music.
September 9, 2014 @ 7:02 am
You have an excellent point, Big A! Look at the film “Walk the Line”. To those of us who are familiar with June Carter’s music know that she sounded NOTHING like Reese Witherspoon did in the movie. Reese gave an excellent performance in the film in terms of acting, and she did a great job singing in her own style. However, it was not June Carter’s style of singing.
September 9, 2014 @ 5:38 am
Well, there’s a reason he’s an actor, not a singer. But he is a good actor, and he will probably do OK for a posh British dude. He has a knack for accents so hopefully he’ll pick it up better with time and exposure. Fortunately, filming a movie isn’t at all like giving a live performance: they’ll have plenty of takes to choose from and splice together so that it sounds right (for whatever value of “right” the producers are going for, of course, which may not put historical accuracy at the top of the list).
September 9, 2014 @ 7:05 am
Yea Tom Hiddleston isn’t the best singer in the world and certainly doesn’t sound like Hank Williams, but at least there’s steel guitar and a fiddle. I guess it could be worse.
Also, Joaquin Phoenix didn’t sound much like Johnny Cash but he did one hell of a job playing him. We’ll see, we’ll see.
September 9, 2014 @ 8:46 am
After listening to Hiddleston I agree with Hank3. He doesn’t have the essential soulful sound to capture the true essence of Hank’s music. Just being able to play the music and sing the words is not enough.
September 9, 2014 @ 8:56 am
Its very simple to make a great movie you start off with great foundation. And as far as a European actor playing a American Icon in my eyes that in its self is a super weak foundation for a Country Music Icon.My view on that alone topic alone will never change no matter who the European actor is. If it was your family being represented by a outsider you might have the same feelings.Keep that in mind.
Hank3
September 9, 2014 @ 10:10 am
But by that logic only an Italian should play Julius Caesar or a Scot play MacBeth. You may be spot on about Tom Hiddleston, but right now it’s still too early to tell. As long as he is treated with respect, any movie that brings Hank Williams to the attention of today’s audiences is a positive.
And you have to admit that if nothing else Hiddleston is a step up from George Hamilton. 😉
September 9, 2014 @ 3:52 pm
No, its not particularly logical for an Italian to play a man who spoke ancient Latin 2,000 years ago in an entirely different culture, or for a Scot to play a King who lived
600 years ago in an entirely different culture.
But it is logical for a perceptive indigenous actor to play someone from his own present culture, e.g., McConaughey as Hank Williams. See the difference?
Now, you are a 100% right that Hiddleston will surely do a better job of Hank than
did George Hamilton, who apparently grew up in a white suit with a deep tan on the deck of a yacht.
Back when that film was made, I heard an interview with Jerry Lee Lewis, who was playing a honky-tonk somewhere in North Carolina, and the Killer was going on about how he should have been cast as Hank in “Your Cheating Heart” instead of Hamilton. That would have been a crazy-ass movie set, but the mind brightens at the thought of ol’ Jerry Lee wailing away on “You Win Again” and “Lovesick Blues”…..
By the way, for the uninitiated, the actor George Hamilton in not to be confused with the fine country singer George Hamilton IV, a member of the Grand Ol’ Opry.
September 10, 2014 @ 8:15 am
It feels wrong to argue with you sir, but I have to. Have you seen Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela? You’re saying that a Brit from East London should not have played a South African, and yet he was brilliant. Or Ben Kingsley as Ghandi. Or Charlie Hunnam on Sons of Anarchy. I’m not equating Tom Hiddleston to those actors; he may not be in their category. But to say that only a Southerner can play a Southerner flies in the face of reason.
September 10, 2014 @ 9:48 am
Hey Dan D.
It is always right to argue with me! Reasonable disagreements are a good thing, I think. In this case, Idris Elba’s parents are both from Africa, Ben Kingsley’s father is from India, and Ben considers himself to be Indian/British. Don’t know Charlie….
But the point is, to fully understand the culture one is playing, one needs to be
totally immersed in it. Of course one doesn’t have to be Southern to play a Southerner, but I can’t remember when anybody pulled it off, at least to my ear.
It is easier in comedy, but I can tell you that when the “Dukes of Hazzard” moved from Georgia to Hollywood, there was a procession of some of the weirdest attempts at Southern accents I ever heard.
With Hiddleston, it doesn’t look promising, but I can assure that right now he is listening to a lot of recorded audio of Hank speaking, including those great “Health and Happiness” radio shows. But that’s the easy part. Capturing the haunted soul of a kid that came out of rural Alabama in the 1930’s and 40’s is the trick. I’ve never seen an actor who wasn’t of the South master that. Not Paul Newman, not Orson Welles, not Marlon Brando, not any of them. I love the great Anthony Hopkins, but I wouldn’t cast him as William Faulkner. That isn’t to say he wouldn’t be good at it, but it would not ring entirely true, and Hopkins would tell you that…..
I hope Hiddleston proves me wrong. But his “Move it on Over” is just awfulllllllllllllll
Ben
September 10, 2014 @ 10:08 am
Thanks Ben – NOW I understand your argument (I can be slow on the uptake sometimes). And as a native Bostonian I can see where you’re coming from since it always grates on my nerves whenever I hear someone imitate Ted Kennedy and think that’s a Boston accent.
September 9, 2014 @ 10:55 am
I would think you’d want the best actor regardless or you should want the best actor regardless. Maybe its not this guy but his nationality shouldn’t matter for a hill of beans. And I am betting that the Williams line is likely descended from somewhere on the British Isles, yes? So just how “outsider” is a European. The hillbilly side of things on our side of the pond sure owes alot to the music of that region.
And BTW, thanks for the great music. Not everybody likes it but it drives some folks wild. 😉
September 9, 2014 @ 11:04 am
First of all, I love me some Hank 3 and haven’t missed any shows when they come around. That being said, I remember almost falling out of my chair when I first heard some interviews with some of the cast of the Walking Dead. Had no idea some of them were British. They’re doing pretty well with their southern accents. That certainly doesn’t eliminate some concerns with Hiddleston but i’ll cross my fingers and hope for the best. In the end, I think it will bring more fans to Hank Sr and by extension, better quality country music. I grew up playing blues, extreme metal, and gypsy jazz and always thought country sucked; however, I always liked Hank Sr when I would randomly hear him. Finally I started researching Hank, Don Helms, Jerry Byrd, and other country artists and steel guitarists and got hooked. My love of country music started first and foremost with Hank Sr and i’m sure this movie will do the same for somebody else.
September 9, 2014 @ 9:31 am
Again, Hank3 makes perfect sense. He isn’t saying that he himself is an actor, and those who criticize his singing (anonymously) are not only wrong-headed, but entirely
missing the point. Hank Williams, Sr. was a homemade genius. His influence on American music cannot be understated. To those of us who grew up in the South,
his rawboned honesty made us feel like he was part of our family, too.
We have also seen our culture mocked, mischaracterized, and distorted by Hollywood for generations. Frankly, there is a resentment about our culture being defined by people who are totally clueless about our ways.
(A good example of the right way to do it was “Oh Brother Where Art Thou?” which was done by the Coen Brothers, who came out of Texas. George Clooney is from
Kentucky, and many others who worked that film, such as T. Bone Burnett, knew the region and its music like the back of their hand.)
Hiddleston may be a fine actor. Richard Burton was a great British actor, but he would
never have tried to play Hank Williams. Hiddleston may also be a great guy, but his
singing reveals that he doesn’t have that thing that “can’t be learned.”
September 9, 2014 @ 10:32 am
“We have also seen our culture mocked, mischaracterized, and distorted by Hollywood for generations.” Ya, kinda like on the Dukes of Hazzard.
“A good example of the right way to do it was “Oh Brother Where Art Thou?” which was done by the Coen Brothers, who came out of Texas.” No Cooter, they are from St. Louis Park, Minnesota. And heaven forbid, Jewish on top of that!!!
“Hank Williams, Sr. was a homemade genius. His influence on American music cannot be understated.” Agreed.
September 9, 2014 @ 10:52 am
Hey Bigfoot,
Where do people say “ya”? Well, “The Dukes of Hazzard” was an action comedy that mocked a lot of things, especially making fun of Yankee interlopers who thought they were so much smarter than us redneck crackers back in the boonies. And we always won out.
The Coen Brothers first feature film was “Blood Simple” out of Texas, and they learned a lot from that. They are perhaps the exception that proves the rule. (And they too, are “homemade geniuses”.) They also feature John Goodman a lot, from Louisiana, I believe….
I don’t get your reference to Judaism. You think there aren’t Jewish Southerners?
Ben
September 9, 2014 @ 11:09 am
“You think there aren”™t Jewish Southerners?” Fair point, I forgot about Miami. And that Cantor guy from Virginny.
September 9, 2014 @ 2:13 pm
Yeh, and a few million others like Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys.
In fact, Beegfoot, I guarantee you Kinky would understand this part far better than poor Hiddleston.
September 9, 2014 @ 4:06 pm
Judah Benjamin was a fine Jewish Southerner
September 9, 2014 @ 10:22 am
Hollywood seems to have a thing for casting Brits in the role of southerners-most famously, Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara. Maybe because the accents are related. But Ms Leigh pulled off not only the accent, but the very essence of a southern belle growing into a strong southern woman, if an unscrupulous one.
How long before they’re supposed to start actual shooting on this movie?
September 9, 2014 @ 10:35 am
I am sure someone has pointed this out in some way but here is what is bothering me: this is a movie about “the” artist of artists. To get the casting for this one right seems beyond obvious. It is not like there is a shortage of great American actors (southern even) that could pull this role off much better than the gentleman they have chosen. I have nothing against the guy and he is a good actor but he has a long way to go in his musical performance. This is Hank Williams Sr. dammit! Get it right!
September 9, 2014 @ 11:41 am
It occurred to me as I read your comment that Ms Leigh had an advantage in portraying Scarlett in that she was a fictional character, though one very well defined in the book.
Hank Williams was a legendary real-life person, which makes it even more important, and more difficult, to get it right. There are still people living who knew him, and his fans know him well enough.
September 9, 2014 @ 12:27 pm
I get what you are saying and do not disagree that there are Brits who can pull off any accent or character. My point is this character, of all characters in the music pantheon, should have some seriously special consideration. If this were a baseball film it is of the same order and magnitude as the casting of Babe Ruth or Ty Cobb. Hank is the archetype of not only country music but American music at large…it is a big deal. I just hope and wish for them to get it right. And also if this guy cannot pull off the vocal they need to use the obvious stand in if he is available. Do the man right or don’t do him at all!
September 9, 2014 @ 1:23 pm
Hank III is as right as rain on this one. It is a fact that vocally this is simply not going to work.I have all the respect in the world for Rodney Crowell but he is not a miracle worker and cannot turn a British actor into a reasonable facimile of Hank Williams senior, vocally. It just wil not happen.I hope from a acting standpoint the movies is good but the music will bring it down. Tragic really. I would so like to see this done right and hve it give the greatest country music icon of all time a proper cinematic treatment.
September 9, 2014 @ 2:04 pm
Working with Rodney Crowell and all is great, but maybe Hiddleston should go hang out with Hank III for a few days and learn a little bit. If anything, he should get a real feel for what he needs to portray.
September 9, 2014 @ 3:49 pm
Don’t know anything about the movie but that guys voice does Hank Sr no justice
September 9, 2014 @ 4:00 pm
Why doesn’t Hank3 play Hank Sr?
September 9, 2014 @ 9:42 pm
Simple – he’s not an actor. The financing depends, in part, on using actors who are a known quantity & guaranteed to draw an audience. Even if Tom Hiddleston doesn’t cut it as a singer, I’d wager he’s going to be far more effective as an actor than Hank 3 would be. The majority of the role isn’t likely to be singing; I’d rather suffer some sub-par musical performance scenes with the other parts skillfully done, than the reverse – live performance parts nailed, and stilted acting for the rest.
September 9, 2014 @ 6:11 pm
I’m really confused as to why people think a British actor can’t play an american. American actors play British rolls all the time. They’re actors…they learn how to act different parts and use different accents. That’s what actors do. I’m really confused by this generalization, and why some people are so hell bent on the roll being played by someone from the south.
September 9, 2014 @ 7:40 pm
So whats a movie that had great foundation from day one and was done properly to pay respects to the Country Music Icon they were making it about.Well that’s a easy A Coal Miner’s Daughter,was done about as well as you can do it. You had a great Texas actor do her Justice and a great cast as well. If the Hank Williams movie there making now had the kind of approach they had back then towards a Coal Miner’s Daughter it might have a chance to have something real for the folks to identify witht hat truly Love Hank Williams and Country music.
Hank3
September 9, 2014 @ 7:51 pm
So whats a movie that had great foundation from day one and was done properly to pay respects to the Country Music Icon they were making it about.Well that”™s a easy A Coal Miner”™s Daughter,was done about as well as you can do it. You had a great Texas actor do her Justice and a great cast as well. If the Hank Williams movie there making now had the kind of approach they had back then towards a Coal Miner”™s Daughter it might have a chance to have something real for the folks to identify with that truly Love Hank Williams and Country music.
Hank3
Sorry for the double post didn’t see a edit function
September 10, 2014 @ 12:43 am
Im sure you seen the movie they did about your daddy? Besides the soundtrack throughout the movie and Kilgore being Kilgore that was a terrible movie. With that fake beard and lip synching. I wish they’d make another one and do it right. And if they mess this one up about your grandaddy im gonna be mad as all hell. And being from a little town not too far from butcher holler i agree that was a good account of lorettas life. That was a good picture show.
September 9, 2014 @ 9:32 pm
Meryl Streep won an Oscar for playing the freaking Prime Minister of Great Britain . Pretty sure she nailed the accent. They are called actors for a reason.
September 10, 2014 @ 7:32 am
Yep, Meryl Streep played Maggie Thatcher, and it really bothered a lot of Brits. And Meryl is our best actress, the top of the line. In fact, I would bet you that Meryl could do a better job of Hank Williams than Hiddleston does, especially the singing part!
Look, this is a done deal. A “fait accompli”. Marc Abraham is a successful producer and it is his call, and he had made it. The studio had a huge budget to promote this film and the film press will tell us that this is the greatest film of the century, and they will put millions into an Oscar nomination for this lad. Frankly they don’t give a rat’s ass what any of us think, not you, not me, not Hank Williams’ kinfolks, not one sweet soul.
The bank has spoken and we will be instructed by press releases as to how magnificent it is that Hiddleston has captured Hank’s essence. And it will all be bullshit, and we are expected to hush up.
Sites like Saving Country Music are about the only place where these decisions are even talked about, and that is because there are a lot of people on here that actually care very deeply about this music, its heritage, and the very rich culture from which it came.
Hiddleston should not have been put on that stage in Wheatland. I’m sure everybody in the band told him what a great job he did, but he knows down deep that it really sucked. Around here, we might disagree on things like this, but you can trust that you will get an honest answer.
I don’t think he has a clue about how deeply we care about Hank Williams.
But to end on a semi-positive note, writer/producer Abraham went to school at the University of Virginia (albeit a far cry from Montgomery, Alabama) and Hiddleston knows he has his work cut out for him. He can’t be just o.k. He has to be Hank Williams, and he has been miscast. As Mr. T used to say, “I pity the fool…”
September 9, 2014 @ 11:41 pm
Man… im tickled pink a movie will finally be made about one of my personal heros since I was a child, but this is some bull. Buddy dont look or sound any damn thing close. I know thats almost impossible but im with shelton, a european playin Hank? That dog dont hunt. The people who should be consulted first on who should play Hank is Randall, Shelton and Jett.Thats their namesake and not anyone elses. Im starting to worry about the content of the movie as well. Will it only focus on the drankin and all that ol carryin on or will it show the man and the genius that was Luke the drifter etc. It needs to all be included. And who’s gonna play young hank? Rufus tee tot payne? Audrey? Whos the lucky baby who gets to play a todler randall? ( he better be able to belt out family traditon or im leaving the damn theatre…thats a joke) drifting cowboys? Minnie pearl and the opry cast? Louisiana hayride etc.? Billie jean jones?Charles carr? Toby marshall? Will it be a true honest account of his life? I think im getting ahead myself but I want this movie to be what it should be and turn alot of folks on to what ive known for years, that the entire williams family is an american treasure. Well to me anyway. I think cause it means alot to me I might end up disappointed. I hope not. So far though I aint liking the casting and it aint even started filming.
September 10, 2014 @ 8:34 am
I’m inclined to agree with H3, but this is acting not a concert film. Daniel Day Lewis didn’t live the still pioneering lifestyle of being brought up in Kentucky and Illinois before playing Lincoln. Idris Elba didn’t live the part of a drug dealer in a northeast city before appearing on the wire. If Tom Hiddleston can act then let him play the part. If he can’t act, which I’m not totally convinced of, I don’t care where he’s from.
September 10, 2014 @ 2:37 pm
in fairness, that performance is awful
September 10, 2014 @ 3:22 pm
Hey Y’all,
I wouldn’t have gone on and on about this if I didn’t think it was a very important American cultural moment. Hank Williams represents a whole lot more to many of us than simply his work as an influential singer and songwriter. His body of work expresses as much about the Souith as do the works of great Southern writers like Twain and Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor and Charles Portis. Remember that Bob McDill song “Good Ole Boys Like Me”‘, where Don Williams sang,
“And those Williams boys they still mean a lot to me,
Hank and Tennessee…”?
Thats what that was about. But what I was trying to say was sort of right here on the site, a few articles past. It’s Gary Gentry and J.B. Detterline’s song “The Ride”, David Alan Coe’s great hit. And this is Tom Hiddleston’s task, as an actor and as a singer:
“Drifter can you make folks cry when you play and sing?
Have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues,
Can you bend them guitar strings?”
He said, “Boy can you make folks feel what you feel inside?
Cause if you’re big star bound let me tell you
Its a long, long ride.”
September 10, 2014 @ 10:35 pm
Ben, that’s the greatest comment I’ve ever read on this website.
That really should be the last word on it. No one can top that.
I’m going to go but out some DAC
September 11, 2014 @ 5:36 am
Nobody seems to have stated the obvious when it comes to Hank III playing his grandfather on film…. he’s too old by about twenty years for the role.
There’s nothing to be done about that. If wishing could make it otherwise I’d be seventeen again!
September 11, 2014 @ 6:42 am
Again, Hank3 was not talking about playing the part. He was, in fact, talking about somebody like Michael McCanaughey or another actor who knows the culture.
And, for what it is worth, Hank Sr. looked older at 29 than most folks do in their forties.
The movie is about how he got to be like that….
September 11, 2014 @ 8:55 pm
i don’t see why he has to even sing. if that’s what george clooney did in “oh brother where art thou”. he had a go at it, sucked, and they dubbed in the music where they needed it.
if thats all hes got, dubb it. im sure he’ll do a bang up job on the acting, i have faith.