Billy Zane channels Marlon Brando in 'Waltzing with Brando'
The first trailer for the film "Waltzing With Brando" debuted online, featuring Billy Zane as cinema legend Marlon Brando. Based on Bernard Judge's memoirs, the production explores a lesser-known episode in the actor's life.
"Waltzing With Brando" depicts Brando's story during the time he was preparing for his roles in "The Godfather" and "Last Tango in Paris." The film, directed and written by Bill Fishman ("Tapeheads", "Car 54", "My Dinner with Jimi"), focuses on the years 1969-1974.
Alongside Billy Zane ("Titanic"), the film features Jon Heder ("Napoleon Dynamite", "Blades of Glory") as Bernard Judge, an idealistic architect from Los Angeles. The cast also includes Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss, Camille Razat ("Emily in Paris"), Alaina Huffman ("The Perfection", "Smallville"), Tia Carrere ("Wayne's World"), and James Jagger ("Vinyl", "The Outpost"), son of Mick Jagger.
The storyline centres on Brando (Zane), who, after filming "Mutiny on the Bounty," buys a small, uninhabited island in Tahiti. Wanting to escape the hustle of Hollywood and promote sustainable development, he persuades Judge (Heder) to join him in creating the world's first eco-friendly resort.
The film's producers are Dean Bloxom, Bill Fishman, Billy Zane, Doug Dearth, and Brett Kerr. "Waltzing With Brando" will close this year's film festivals in Turin, Tahoe, and Palm Springs.
Zane's return to blockbuster movies
Watching the trailer, it's hard to believe that another actor is portraying the cinema legend. Billy Zane has been excellently stylized. His gestures and facial expressions also reflect the real Marlon Brando.
Billy Zane is 58 years old, and he owes his unique looks to his Greek roots. He debuted as the bandit Match in Robert Zemeckis's sci-fi adventure comedy "Back to the Future" (1985). He then appeared in the sequel "Back to the Future II" (1989). His acting career was launched with his role as the insane, psychopathic castaway Hughie Warriner, a madman who evokes both fear and sympathy in the thriller "Dead Calm" (1989) with Nicole Kidman. Later, we saw him as John Justice Wheeler in the ABC series "Twin Peaks" (1990-91). In the last decade, he acted regularly but in less mainstream films. Now, portraying Marlon Brando, he is in the spotlight once again.
