Lindsay Lohan: Confirmed For Liz & Dick Biopic, Reactions To Her Casting
April 24, 2012 by Hollywoodite
Lindsay Lohan only signed on as Elizabeth Taylor in Lifetime’s Liz & Dick at some point in the past few days. Before that, she was unofficially on board while production made decisions about start date (moved from April to June), insurance, no doubt, and location (moved from Toronto to Los Angeles).
Lohan said of her official casting, in a statement: “I have always admired and had enormous respect for Elizabeth Taylor. She was not only an incredible actress but an amazing woman as well.”
Rob Sharenow, Lifetime’s vice president of programming, adds: “We are thrilled Lindsay will portray beloved Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor. She is one of the rare actresses who possesses the talent, beauty and intrigue to capture the spirit of such a provocative icon.”
Despite the platitudes, legal troubles have producers worried. Lohan secured her Canadian work permit before even coming off formal probation, but Lifetime moved location anyway. Pertaining to the two possible assault cases, one for supposedly fighting a woman at The Standard Hotel and one for throwing a drink on another, sources tell RadarOnline.com production moved over fears legalities could restrict Lohan’s ability to travel or shoot at all if she’s in jail.
“The producers recognized that there could be problems stemming from the fact that Lindsay is under investigation for assault, and she is still on informal probation in her necklace theft case,” says a source. “It was just easier to move the shoot to Los Angeles as Lindsay lives there and relocating also gives jobs to local film crews which is always beneficial to the economy.”
And there’s been a mixed reaction to the 25-year-old playing Taylor, despite the passing facial similarity/ bone structure (ignoring Lohan’s crack bloat) and the fact this is only a budget, unimportant Lifetime movie about which people will forget soon enough.
In response to fellow Today roundtable guest Donny Deutsch saying: “[Lindsay is] our generation’s Elizabeth Taylor!” Rosie O’Donell replied: “You’re out of your mind! You’re a crackhead! The last thing she did good she was sixteen… I feel very sorry for her. I think she needs a lot of time away. She’s had a lot of trouble doing every single movie, including SNL. She was out and not in rehearsal. I think she’s not in a place to work. I don’t think she’s right for the role and I don’t think she’s capable at this point to portray that character.”