MovieChat Forums > Genius (2016) Discussion > I like Jude Law, but the real Wolfe was ...

I like Jude Law, but the real Wolfe was 6'6"

posted 9 years ago by Binkconn
3 replies | jump to latest

And looked nothing like Law. His height was always remarked on by fellow contemporary writers. Couldn't they have used someone who resembled him slightly more, like Michael Shannon?

[–] fdellostritto 9 years ago

If Mel Gibson could play William Wallace, I guess Jude Law can play Thomas
Wolfe--and he does so very well.

But, someone raving as Wolfe does in the movie has a much different impact coming from a physical giant rather than a much smaller man. So, the movie did lose that.

I just looked up Thomas Wolfe on Wikipedia--facially, he looks a lot like Colin Firth.

[–] SnappinTurtle 9 years ago

I was bothered when I read about Jude Law, but 30 seconds after he stormed Perkins' office and started gushing like an over excited, educated country boy in the big city I got over the height issue.

Knowing what I know about Wolfe's body language his often dramatic demeanor, I think it was more important to cast real talent than a look a like. I think Law nailed this performance.

To the post that Wolfe look a little like Firth - Maybe, but Wolfe died when he was 39, so they could have never pulled that off with heavy make up\ prosthetics. Firth was great as Perkins, Firth is always great.

[–] sadfilmophile 8 years ago

Why doesnt Lee Pace ever get a chance? The man is so talented.