Holy Crow! We have news that Steven Soderbergh is in talks to direct a film about the life and times of Liberace. We get the saucy scoop from the professionals at Variety:
Steven Soderbergh is in the early stages of developing a biopic about Liberace for Warner Bros., which he will direct. The filmmaker said he has drafted his “Traffic” star. Michael Douglas to play the flamboyant pianist.
Soderbergh is in discussions with Matt Damon to play Scott Thorson, who sued Liberace in 1982 for $113 million in palimony, claiming he was the entertainer‘s companion for five years. Even though Liberace never wavered from career-long denials that he was gay, Thorson reportedly settled for $95,000 in 1986.
Soderberg has two projects to get out the the way before he can takle this one – but I consider this to be a glorious biopic opportunity, and he is wise to lock it down. I was ten when Liberace died from The HIV, but throughout my life I’ve seen various interview clips with him on TV and I have always thought that he was a peculiar, flamboyant, jubilant and down right fantastic personality. He is who he is, much like Mr. T is who he is; let these men serve as role models to us all. Be not afraid to be yourself.
Michael Douglas is the perfect casting for this. I nearly coughed up blood in excitement when I read that he was tapped. I can see him doing an outstanding job in the role, and he looks enough like Liberace to sell it well. You also know that he is totally going to wear some of those ridiculous outfits to the bedroom and do naughty things to the Catharine Zeta.
This is a shining star on the horizon of film. We will have to wait some time for this to come down the pipe, but until then – I present the man of the hour ….
This dude was a showman of the highest order.
