Friends and I were talking about this the other day. Oliver Stone has done a few movies based around American Presidents (JFK, Nixon, W.) If (when) he does a movie "Biopic" on Obama who do you think will play Obama? I would think that Will Smith would be a fairly likely choice given his star power, but I also think Denzel Washington would be a very strong choice given his range and ability.
Harry Lennix. Terrific actor, right looks, right age. Of course he's not a major Hollywood movie headliner. But I'd prefer this be an HBO miniseries or the equivalent, which is a better place for substantive material.
I wouldn't want an A-lister to play him. I would want someone who can act, and who actually looks like him.
Another vote for Harry Lennix. He's got the acting ability AND the right voice. I was going to say Tim Russ, but Lennix would be better. (Will Smith? Too young.)
The older David Morse got in the 90s and beyond, the more he looked like Clinton. But he still hasn't been cast yet. Is Harry Lennix biracial as Obama is? Vocally and visually, he's about as close to the Prez as any actor I can think of.
This is a no-brainer. Will Smith; the studios wouldn't settle for anyone else. Unless, you know, he takes up bouncing up and down on couches and talking about Scientology on TV.
What does that have to do with anything? An actor is an actor. They don't have to have the same appearance, background, and mannerisms in real life as the character they are portraying.
Put me down for Lennix also -- right look, excellent actor. May need prosthetics for the ears, though. Gabrielle Union for Michelle.
I think Will Smith is a terrible choice. If he were playing the part, it wouldn't be Obama we'd see on the screen, it would be Will Smith. Of course, you get that with any high profile actor playing an historical figure, but this time, it'd just be too much "Will Smith". I can see it now... Will Smith as Will Smith as Barack Obama. I'd rather see something like what they did with Josh Brolin as George Bush in W. In other words, get someone who's isn't necessarily the biggest name, but who can really immerse themselves in the role.
(Smith-Obama walks into the Oval Office for the first time) "Oh, and you better get a decorator to come in here too, because: DAMN."
Will Smith as Obama walks up to Bush, while putting on his shades. "You know what the difference is between you and me? I make this look good."
Obama should play himself ala Audie Murphy in To Hell and Back Really though, I think looking identical to the person you are playing is a plus, but acting ability goes a long way. Anthony Hopkins pulled off a great Richard Nixon in spite of not heavily resembling him.