August 3rd we pick up the van, pack it and drive up north to the Great Northwest.... oh, after I stop by Warner Bros. to audition for the role of "John Lennon" in the upcoming "Watchmen" film. Now my brother, Keith sent me the lead to audition weeks ago, but my manager could drum up no interest, so I proceeded to grow my "medieval beard" for the wedding. Now with two days to go and a great looking Van Dyke (if I do say so myself), I get called in for the Lennon role!
The last time I was called in to audition for "John Lennon" was for the film, "Chapter 27" and I was in the middle of shooting the role of Henry Morgan in "True Caribbean Pirates." My manager INSISTED that I shave my Van Dyke during our week off from filming.... needless to say, I didn't get the role and man, were the producers pissed at me! (Of course I DID check it out with my makeup artist before shaving the beard, but... you get the idea). As much as I would like to get this role, I simply can't shave for this audition. I mean, my wedding is a pretty big production too. Ellen loves my Van Dyke and yes, it does make me look more period-correct. I will be going to the audition with lots of "Lennon-like" photos under my arm. Just hope someone there has the imagination to see through the facial hair. Murphy's Law rules my household.
Interesting note: Mark Chapman is the actor who eventually booked the "Chapter 27" gig, which is fitting since he lost out on a television docudrama in the late 80's because his name was too similar to the murderer of John Lennon. I was at one of the first auditions for "Northern Exposure" and the casting director said, "Where were YOU when I was casting THAT show?!" So it just seems weird that our paths are crossing in odd ways.
Labels: Lennon, look-alikes, watchmen
