October
30
Jon Hamm: The Next George Clooney?
Mad Men star Jon Hamm's performance on Saturday Night Live last weekend was one of those watershed moments where you see an actor break out of a TV role and announce, "Hey, guys, see what I can do!"
We already know that he has the sex appeal of a leading man. Now we know that Hamm can do an imitation of James Mason, or light comedy. When I saw him standing in front of an American flag, I thought, "Superman." Yes, I know he's too old, but Hollywood could use a guy like this. Strong, dangerous, mysterious, romantic, funny.
So what's his next movie? Well, he has a straight-arrow supporting role in Fox's The Day the Earth Stood Still, which the studio has promoted heavily. UPDATE: And Tina Fey, perhaps inspired by his SNL stint, may be hiring him for a 30 Rock arc.
With Mad Men on hiatus until February, now is the time for Hamm to shoot his interim movie, but he hasn't lined anything up. His manager Connie Tavel says that while the studios and producers are asking for meetings and throwing material at Hamm, nothing is happening due to the ongoing impasse between SAG and the studios. "Jon has been getting offers to do a lot of projects," says Tavel, who also works with Helen Hunt. "We're waiting for the right one. There's a de facto strike at the studios."
Two casting directors over at Disney features, Marcia Ross and Gail Goldberg, are high on him. "We think Jon Hamm has the potential to be a movie star," says Ross. "He could do the sorts of parts George Clooney plays. If you look at Jon's work on SNL, he adds funny and charming to the edge and danger he displays on Mad Men. He's handsome but accessible. He has a lot of personal warmth, like George. We need these substantial good-looking, charming, masculine leading men. There's a dearth of them out there."
Hamm has gotten some indie offers, Tavel says, but he's reading and waiting for just the right thing. He's open to leading men, supporting roles, comedy. The material he's seen "is all over the board, a lot of dream projects, every genre," Tavel says. "They were always asking, 'can he be funny?' Saturday Night Live answers that question. He'll make his decision soon." (No, he has not been offered Green Lantern.)
How maddening it must be, to know that you are on the cusp of stardom--and Hollywood isn't hiring.
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if Hamm was Superman, Warners would not serve 80 years in comic book fan purgatory. (and i doubt there'd be any conversation about whether Superman was played Straight in the film)
Posted by: SeanH | October 30, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Hollywood may not be hiring, but apparently "30 Rock" is:
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2008/10/jon-hamm-to-gue.html
Posted by: GloryG | October 30, 2008 at 11:22 PM
I really hope Hamm takes the 30 ROCK gig. I just want to see him in a scene with Liz and Jack. Or Liz and Ken. Hee hee...
Posted by: ProgGrrl | October 31, 2008 at 06:01 AM
John Hamm for the next James Bond?
Posted by: Linda Goldstone | October 31, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Sorry, but I am old-fashioned about this: James has to be British.
Posted by: Anne Thompson | November 01, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Is Daniel Craig going anywhere? Is anyone else on earth less than fully satisfied with him?
If so, the clear choice would be the only actor ever considered since the series began who actually resembles the character described by Fleming: Clive Owen.
Posted by: David C. | November 01, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Re: James Bond. Love Jon Hamm, but not a chance. Daniel Craig is the best in the franchise since Sean Connery, and probably better, given his acting chops. Would like to see Jon Hamm in something, although Don Draper is about as good a part as anyone could ask for in a lifetime.
Posted by: Lord Bottetlop | November 05, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Re: James Bond. Love Jon Hamm, but not a chance. Daniel Craig is the best in the franchise since Sean Connery, and probably better, given his acting chops. Would like to see Jon Hamm in something, although Don Draper is about as good a part as anyone could ask for in a lifetime.
Posted by: Lord Bottetlop | November 05, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Said it before, will say it again:
Jon Hamm for Captain America.
http://tmb-movies.blogspot.com/2008/08/good-casting.html
Posted by: Thomas L. | November 06, 2008 at 04:46 AM
So much on confining good looks. There's something very special about Jon Hamm's presence. Something that isn't identical to whatever makes George Clooney George Clooney and which exceeds a performance as Superman or Captain America.
Posted by: Ö | November 06, 2008 at 06:03 AM
I'm with Daniel Craig. Agree Hamm too old for Superman. Captain America isn't bad. He might have been good for Frank Miller's The Spirit, come to think of it. Hamm's sort of old-fashioned good looks have gone out of style. While he's not the same as Clooney (we need evidence that he has anything close to Clooney's range or expertise), they do have in common an unusual mix of star charisma, comedy chops, and a dark side. I agree that Hamm might do better taking some rich indie roles over waiting for a big studio payday. The higher the stakes, the less interesting the roles.
Posted by: Anne Thompson | November 06, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Jon Hamm is amazing, I think he is like a more talented straight version of George Clooney
Posted by: tisktisktock | November 06, 2008 at 09:38 AM
George Clooney is not qualified to hold Hamm's jock strap. Hamm should "make hay" while the getting is good. I hope he finds many roles that suit him in the near future. He has done an outstanding job on Mad Men. He may be the best male actor working today!
Posted by: Guillaume d'Akard | November 06, 2008 at 12:09 PM