The phrase 'life imitates art' springs to mind in light of very recent US political developments. Only last week saw the release in America of a major Hollywood film called 'Olympus Has Fallen', directed by Antoine Fuqua (who also made Denzel Washington's Oscar winning gritty urban thriller 'Training Day') and starring Gerald Butler, Aaron Eckhart ('The Dark Knight Rises') and Morgan Freeman. Also included in the cast is the always on point, talented Oscar nominated actress Angela Bassett ('What's Love Got To Do With It?') The story of the movie centres around the drama of a terrorist attempt to attack the President of the United States and in particular, his place of residence, The White House in Washington DC.
Bassett plays the role of the Head of the Secret Service. In real life this job has never been held by a woman,and in actual fact the original script for 'Olympus Has Fallen' had the part written for a man. At a recent press 'junket' for the film Fuqua said, "I wanted great actors in this movie period," When talking about the casting of Angela Bassett, he then went on to say, "And I thought, why does it have to be a guy? Get Angela. Like in my mind it didn't sit back in my mind and think they never did have as the head of the Secret Service as a woman in the movie. I just wanted to work with Angela, that's how it came about." He felt sure that Bassett's powerful screen presence would make it believable that a woman could hold this lofty position. Little did Fuqua know this piece of fiction would soon become fact.
Bassett plays the role of the Head of the Secret Service. In real life this job has never been held by a woman,and in actual fact the original script for 'Olympus Has Fallen' had the part written for a man. At a recent press 'junket' for the film Fuqua said, "I wanted great actors in this movie period," When talking about the casting of Angela Bassett, he then went on to say, "And I thought, why does it have to be a guy? Get Angela. Like in my mind it didn't sit back in my mind and think they never did have as the head of the Secret Service as a woman in the movie. I just wanted to work with Angela, that's how it came about." He felt sure that Bassett's powerful screen presence would make it believable that a woman could hold this lofty position. Little did Fuqua know this piece of fiction would soon become fact.
Julia Pierson being sworn in by President Obama.
Only 2 days ago history was made when President Barack Obama appointed Julia A. Pierson, a long time member of the Service, as the very first female to be in charge of the organisation. The Secret Service has many responsibilities, including the ultimate duty of overseeing the safety of the Commander In Chief. Who could have seen such a historic event as this becoming reality? Not the Hollywood 'Olympus Has Fallen' film folk for sure. However, they must be thanking their lucky stars as the timing couldn't be more apt.
I have included a 2 minute featurette on Angela Basssett talking about her role in 'Olympus Has Fallen' and here is the official trailer for the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar-IaAx7s8k
I have included a 2 minute featurette on Angela Basssett talking about her role in 'Olympus Has Fallen' and here is the official trailer for the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar-IaAx7s8k
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