MovieChat Forums > Being John Malkovich (1999) Discussion > Why John Malkovich?

Why John Malkovich?

posted 14 years ago by miles_fierce_larson
61 replies | jump to latest

I've wondered this for the longest time. Like...why on Earth did Kaufman choose Malkovich for the movie? What was the motivation there? Did he just have a hat with a bunch of names in it?

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] drmello 14 years ago

Why not Malkovich? I love that it seemed pretty random and he wasn't well known to everyone.

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[–] rosestoeses 12 years ago

Lester screams at Lotte that she can't actually kill Maxine because she's pregnant with his seed and it's special. Then, the next portal goes to the daughter. I think it's somehow a genetic inheritance. Like... people of a certain heritage have the carrier gene and so it goes throughout the family based on who has had kids or something. *shrugs*

Dreams are just the beginning. All we need now is a power source. You will do just fine.

[–] CrazyDonk 14 years ago

It was called 'Being Erik Estrada' originally, but then when it came time to make a film they decided Malky welky could pull it off a lot better than Erik.

[–] filmcoord 13 years ago

Actually it was never called Being Erik Estrada that i know of, we couldn't call it being john malkovich until he signed on, charlie always had malkovich in mind for this. But until he agreed, we just had to call it Being... i don't think this movie would've worked if it were anyone else though!

[–] pullcartweek 13 years ago

lol!!!!!!!!!
...
I HAVE BAD SPELLING GRAMMAR AND PUNTUATION PROBLEMS?

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] WileyDairyGnome 12 years ago

http://www.celebs101.com/gallery/Erik_Estrada/227631/Erik_Estrada_7.jp g

-- I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been

[–] Brian11 14 years ago

"Why John Malkovich?"

...because Charlie Kaufman is a genius.

[–] ReasonlsOutToLunch 14 years ago

Couldn't have said it better myself, G.

If you love Cheezits and are 100% proud of it make this your signature!

[–] dilip-goel 9 years ago

Very true

[–] mi-16evil 14 years ago

Charlie Kaufman actually answered the question directly in his Charlie Rose interview (which is fantastic by the way) at 21 minutes. He essentially says that he chose Malkovich because he finds the odd way he approaches serious acting is very funny and that his name fits well in the title.

Here's the link to the interview http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/1510

[–] nast33 14 years ago

I don't know why, but I have another choice that could've been just as brilliant, if not even more...
...Being Christopher Walken
:D

[–] mmjd01 14 years ago

I agree. Chris Walken from the Walken dead, back in the psychedelic 60's.

Peace

[–] acdc363 12 years ago

You just blew my mind.

[–] marichos 14 years ago

Maybe while writing the script he didn't have John Malkovich. He would put FAMOUS "actor" or "actress" instead. Then when producers and directors came through they needed to cast someone and John Malkovich was interested with the role.

Or maybe and agreement from the beginning between them.

[–] pullcartweek 13 years ago

lol that was funny
...
I HAVE BAD SPELLING GRAMMAR AND PUNTUATION PROBLEMS?