by Kristen Waldron
Staff writer
The famous life and relationship between Elizabeth Taylor (“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”) and Richard Burton (“Alexander the Great”) is coming to the small screen of television. This biopic chronicling the couple was written by Christopher Monger and directed by Lloyd Kramer.
The famous couple met on the set of their famous movie “Cleopatra.” Their relationship was played out in the media, which kept their relationship on a constant rollercoaster.
The tale of the explosive on-again-off-again-relationship between the two actors and their multiple marriages to each other kept papers selling in Hollywood.
Among other things, they are famous for the 33.19-carat Krupp diamond ring, worth an estimated $305,000, that Burton gave to Taylor in 1960 according to the Elizabeth Taylor biography “The Most Beautiful Woman In The World”.
In this made-for-television portrayal, Lindsay Lohan (“Freaky Friday”) plays the elusive Taylor, famous for acting in 1950s movies and her numerous marriages. The conformation that Lohan would be playing Taylor came April 23.
Off the networks website, Rob Sharehow, Lifetime’s executive vice president of program, said, “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.”
This is Lohan’s returns to acting after her extensive time off due to her scandalous problems in and out of the media the past several years. We might all remember the drama with Lohan’s drug problems, house arrest, DUIs and her courtroom antics.
Grant Bowler (“True Blood”) portrays Burton. Bowler is a relatively unknown television actor getting his big break with this movie. Bowler was selected only two weeks before filming began in Los Angles.
Producer Larry A. Thompson said, “Bowler has the testosterone, looks, intelligence, and voice we need for Burton, Grant will add gravitas to our couple and bring to life one of the greatest actors who has ever lived.”
This film was not without a few hiccups, thanks to Lohan. On June 8, Lohan and her assistant were taken to UCLA Medical Center after she collided into the back of an 18-wheeler.
Then on June 15, paramedics were called to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel penthouse to treat Lohan for exhaustion and dehydration.
Stemming from that on June 20, the SAG-AFTRA and IATSE labor unions investigated the set for overworking the cast and crew. No charges were ever filed against the film company according to CNN.com.
The film finished shooting and wrapped on July 3.
This made-for-television film promises to bring a behind the scenes look at this impossible love story. It will air on Lifetime network Nov. 25.
November 15, 2012