Cavaziel: 'Shunned' by Hollywood because of Passion/ Christ

[C.E. Evans]

I thought Caviezel was good as the title character in the remake of the 60's cult TV series The Prisoner that ran on AMC awhile back. While he definitely shared the spotlight with Sir Ian McKellen, I thought he was good at playing an everyman kind of character. Maybe that's the problem--maybe the kind of roles he wants aren't the ones casting directors think he's charismatic enough for...

 

[Captaindemotion]

I think that we may have a smoking gun here. This kind of statement and ones like some of the others from the article can make someone come across as grandiloquent, self-important and perhaps overly earnest to put it nicely. That's probably not the sort of thing that would inspire a prudent film studio to part with an eight-figure sum.

Honestly, this whole description could apply to Sean Pen

The differences are several-fold, however. Firstly, Penn is a much better actor than Cavaziel. Secondly, he's never whinged about being boycotted or blacklisted. Thirdly, he's never seemed interested in being a box-office draw or superstar; he picks and chooses work that attracts him. He seems more comfortable doing indie work or his own directing work than starring in big studio movies.

Penn undoubtedly is a prickly and difficult character but it's testament to his talent that people like Clint Eastwood - who would have radically different political and social views to his - are willing to put him in their movies.

 

[KB24]

You know, side note. Is it not necessarily The Passion that makes Cavaziel feel shunned, but is it the association that he is friends with Gibson and such that is hurting him? You can't talk on religious channels and play Jesus in a movie made by a wacky drunk abusive anti Semitic and expect to get anywhere in Hollywood, either.

I also agree he could really be being picky and maybe that hurt him taking The Passion's thunder out of the gate, and yeah who knows, another major project could come along. I for one would love to see a life of Jesus type film, creating an unofficial trilogy middle with The Nativity Story and The Passion.

And Gerard Butler has seriously made some stinkers in his need to capitalize indeed. Maybe now things will call down for Cavaziel, and we will think it was smart of him not to sell out. Remember for years no one knew who Bale was between Empire of The Sun and American Psycho, then he was everywhere and had to reign it in. I hope the same too much too soon doesn't overkill with Fassbender.

 

[Aragorn]

If Caviezel's TV show is a major hit, he could make more money than he ever could've in movies if it lasts for several seasons. Just look how much money Noah Wylie raked in on ER and he has no film career to speak of.

Of course, since it doesn't fit the bland approach of CBS crime dramas, it could be short-lived.

 

[Pingfah]

My number one childhood crush was Robert Powell, the most beautiful white man who ever lived. And I never saw him in any other acting role after Jesus of Nazareth. Perhaps his look was too "iconic" to overcome. I don't know.

Oh, he has had a very lucrative career in crappy British dramas and comedies, I can assure you.

 

[Captaindemotion]

He was in The Thirty Nine Steps and a tv series called Hannay, based on its lead character. He was also in a decent tv version of Frankenstein some years ago and the comedy show The Detectives with Jasper Carrott. I would say he's probably best known for Jesus but he's undoubtedly had a solid career since then.

 

[bluedana]

I gather those are British program(mes)? Because over here, not so much. I should look up some of those titles, but I kind of want my crushy memory to remain pristine.

 

[IndyJones]

I think that we may have a smoking gun here. This kind of statement and ones like some of the others from the article can make someone come across as grandiloquent, self-important and perhaps overly earnest to put it nicely. That's probably not the sort of thing that would inspire a prudent film studio to part with an eight-figure sum.

Honestly, this whole description could apply to Sean Penn.

Yeah, but Sean Penn has been a lot more famous than Cavaziel for a much longer time. That'd make people much liklier to work with him.

 

[Aragorn]

Not everyone is destined for A-list. It didn't happen for Colin Farrell or Guy Pearce or Viggo Mortensen and they seem fine with it, headline small but unique films that not a lot of people see. Someone like Josh Lucas, on the other hand, seems to have crashed and burned.

 

[Gov Kodos]

You mean the same Jim Ca-whatever who was utterly forgettable in The Thin Red Line, The Count of Monte Cristo, Frequency, and let us not forget Angel Eyes in which he was second string to J-Lo, an actress and singer famous for having a big ass, and a music career because she was doing a rapper. Oh yeah, him. He was in The Prisoner which also sucked.

The Passion of the Gibson was probably the one movie he made that a lot of people went to see. Then it was back to mediocrity.

^This. I have seen The Thin Red Line, The Prisoner and Frequency, yet I can barely remember him; he doesn't have a powerful screen presence and doesn't seem terribly appealing. I never Passion, so the fact that he made that film has no effect on me whatsoever.

Nice how he uses religion (the largest, most powerful religion in the country that makes the films in which he wants to star) as an excuse for his own, fairly average screen presence.

If he wants to be a "star," he could do any one of the following:
1) Get a better agent, who will help you get better projects.
2) Be a fantastic actor.
3) Appeal to the general audience. Have an image or at least some personality that lets people feel they know you.
4) Stop whining about your "persecution." No one like a whiner, especially when it comes from some strong, healthy, good looking man who makes movies for a living. No one's busting out the tissues for you, pal. Man up, Nancy.

I'm seeing Denny Crane making this speech to the judge Arte Johnson played on Boston Legal. Caviele sues the Catholic Church for ruining his career.

 

[Captaindemotion]

I gather those are British program(mes)? Because over here, not so much. I should look up some of those titles, but I kind of want my crushy memory to remain pristine.

They are British. They may or may not be worth your time, it's up to you. The 39 Steps is a good enough period espionage movie of the type they don't really make any more.

 

[KB24]

Viggo and Guy Pearce aren't A-list? I would put them more in the category of 'A-list if they choose to be so'.

 

[Aragorn]

Viggo and Guy Pearce aren't A-list? I would put them more in the category of 'A-list if they choose to be so'.

A-list is actually a pretty small list. It's people who can get the masses to go see their movies on name alone, who get paid eight figures and studios can count on them to be the only name on the poster for movies that cost nine figures to make. John Travolta used to be A-list on three separate occasions.

 

[Gaith]

A-list can also be easily defined as "everyone, and I mean everyone, knows their names." Many, many people wouldn't be able to identity Viggo or Pearce based on their names alone.

 

[KB24]

^ This is what is wrong with the world if Viggo and Guy Pearce aren't bankable. ;0) I think Viggo should have Peter MacNicol follow him around so he can do his painting bit from Ghostbusters 2:

He is Viggo!

And to think, these guys I'm defending aren't avatar material! Seriously, Memento isn't name worthy anymore? Everyone hails Christopher Nolan *now*.

 

[lurok]

^to those of us who admire them, Viggo and Guy are A-list. But on the external/monetary list they are not. Sad fact of life. The bottom-line criterion is: will they 'open' a movie?; and few H'wood in this day will (Cruise? Will Smith? arguably).

What I admire about Caviezel is that he could have allowed himself (possibly) to become A-list. But he had bigger vision.

 

[DonIago]

Well, one person's bigger vision is another person's stubbornness.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Viggo and Guy Pearce aren't A-list? I would put them more in the category of 'A-list if they choose to be so'.

Well if I were throwing a party, they'd be on MY A-list.

 

[KB24]

I know what you mean about it coming down to money Lurok. Cruise and Smith may be without a doubt blockbuster multi million dollar material men. However, when was the last time either of them made a without a doubt damn fine movie? As opposed to the intelligent fair of Viggo and Pearce? Last time I liked a Russell Crowe movie? Why, the last time he did anything subdued and magical in an old film called L.A. Confidential.

I agree he may be complaining now, but I'm glad Cavaziel didn't sell out like so many do. I prefer actors who act and thing of it as an art and a talent, as opposed to a gimmick and a business. If one can do both, God Bless Him!