Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, New Talent and Selective Hero Archetypes
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk is a film centred on a young soldier and his squad’s return to the United States for a hero's welcome. Two-time Academy Award® winning Director Ang Lee brings this emotionally charged adaptation of the critically acclaimed best-selling novel by author Ben Fountain. Newcomer Joe Alwyn was awarded the lead role in the new war drama. He portrays a young soldier who is honoured during the Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day football half-time show in 2004. The young veteran recalls the horrors of war, along with his role in a fire-fight that became a media sensation. The film’s cast also includes Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Vin Diesel, Steve Martin, and Chris Tucker.
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk presents another opportunity for a newcomer to lead a major film with a veteran cast and an award-winning director at the helm. However, this is reminiscent of a Variety.com statement made by Director Ridley Scott regarding his widely criticized film, Exodus: Gods and Kings. Scott stated that he could not “mount a film of this budget, where I have to rely on tax rebates in Spain, and say that my lead actor is Mohammad so-and-so from such-and-such,”
Scott stated what he believed is the way the industry worked— that financiers will only back movies with white, well-known actors. Yet, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, with an newcomer as the lead actor, was given financing and industry support. Does this validate the idea that movies led by white actors are the only movies that warrant adequate funding? Does this further imply that up and coming white actors have an advantage over non-white newcomers?
Over the years there have been a lot of movies that glorified the horrors and atrocities of war. The lead actors were typically straight white men who embodied the hero archetype. There is no shortage of stories that could be told from another perspective. However, these narratives don’t receive adequate support or/ funding to get them off the ground.
The story of decorated Army Commander, Colonel. Gregory D. Gadson is a prime example. His story is one that was made for the movies. Col. Gadson was stationed in Iraq in 2007. While he was there, a roadside bomb hit his car.
He lost both his legs and his right arm and hand were severely damaged in the accident. Despite his long road to recovery, this former West Point football player was able to achieve impressive success. Gadson became the first double amputee in US Army's history to achieve reins as Garrison Commander of a major installation as well as oversee more than 50,000 military employees and over 140 tenant agencies for the Department of Defense. He also made his acting debut in the 2012 American science fiction naval war film Battleship. Gadson was cast as a supporting actor after director Peter Berg had seen news articles about him.
In spite of his physical adversity, Gadson has remained on active duty. He has become a motivational speaker and is even credited with motivating the New York Giants to win the 2007 Superbowl. Gregory D. Gadson's life on film should be in the works, but it isn't.
Is Gregory Gadson’s Long Halftime Walk’, a movie that should see the big screen? Why watch a movie about a character that participated in a halftime show when you can celebrate a character that has an entire game inspired by and dedicated to him? Who do you think could portray Colonel. Gregory D. Gadson? Share with us what stories you would like to see on the big or small screen and who do you think should play the lead.
