'Hallelujah'? 'Twilight' Star Robert Pattinson Fighting Hard for Jeff Buckley Role
by Richard Sharp
Jeff Buckley was a young, stunningly attractive singer-songwriter with a glorious voice and a rabid following. He died from drowning while swimming in the Mississippi at the age of 31.
At the time of his death, he was reportedly floating on his back singing the chorus to Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” True story. Sad, but true.
Now “Twilight” star Robert Pattinson is reportedly in talks to play the young legend in and upcoming biopic.
The British pub Express reported that a source close to Pattinson said: “He has already told his business team this is his passion and they agree it could be the film that makes him a legitimate Oscar contender. Rob is obsessed with this project and is doing everything he can to land the part.”
The film’s producer, Michelle Sy confirmed that they had been meeting with Pattinson, saying that “I’ve met actors who are keen on the part and Robert was one.”
Other actors reportedly vying for the role are Ryan Gosling (who showed off his musical chops in “Blue Valentine”), James Franco (a dead-ringer for Buckley) and the ubiquitous Johnny Depp.
The Big Surprise? Pattinson is One Hell of a Singer
Buckley’s voice was legitimately something to behold.
The son of legendary folk singer Tim Buckley, he had the ability to hit and hold the type of floating, heartbreaking notes that few vocalists could touch. His legendary take on Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" was still on the charts years after his death.
Sometimes bluesy, sometimes gentle, but always raw and almost gutturally soulful, the few albums Buckley released in a short career (most noticeably “Grace” and post-humously released “Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk”) are the type of masterworks that demand repeated play.
In the interview with Express, Buckley biopic producer Sy didn’t tip who the front-runner was for the part, but talked about how important musical ability would be to winning the role. Pattinson performed several songs for the “Twilight” series, including the surprisingly solid “Let me Sign.”
“The actor must be able to play music and sing, or at least make it believable he can do that. Until we start auditions there’s no way we know who’s best for the part.”
According to the article, Pattinson already has the approval of Buckley’s mother.
“Robert is a fine young actor. I’m flattered he’s been linked to this project. When the time comes we’ll give everybody an opportunity to be seen and heard.”
Pattinson is currently filming "Cosmopolis," where he plays a multimillionaire on a 24-hour odyssey across Manhattan. The film is based of an acclaimed Don DeLillo novel. The newest Twilight episode "Breaking Dawn" is slated for release in November of 2011.