Who would be best to make a film about New York's most iconic band? Probably New York's most iconic director. Speaking at the annual Johnny Ramone tribute event at Hollywood Forever cemetery, the Ramones' estate manager Jeff Jampol told Billboard that Martin Scorsese is attached to direct a film about the band, with the release date set provisionally for 2016.
As the year marks 40 years since the band's self-titled debut was released, there looks to be no shortage of Ramones projects in 2016. All founding members of the band are now resting in peace since the drummer Tommy Ramone passed away in July.
"We have a lot of projects leading up to that," Jampol said. "We’re looking at a documentary on the Ramones, we just secured a ton of footage, much of which has never been seen before. It came from the Ramones on the road over the years in the 70s and a little bit in the 80s."
Given that the Scorsese film will not be a documentary, we did a spot of casting ourselves. See what you think.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower star is already developing into an unconventional leading man – coming out as queer and disdaining the usual Hollywood A-lister game. Who better to play the charismatic, sharp-witted lead singer of the band?
MICHAEL PITT AS JOHNNY RAMONE
Pitt's already a fan of the Ramones, and his history with the Ramones goes way back. As a 21-year-old, Pitt appeared in the music video for Joey Ramone's 2002 cover of "What a Wonderful World". Pitt is currently in the forthcoming sci-fi film I, Origins.
JACK KILMER AS TOMMY RAMONE
The Palo Alto actor brought philosophical charm to his role as the high school stoner, but we reckon he'll be able to draw out the requisite intensity to be the propulsive, beating heart of the Ramones. After all, his dad Val did play Batman.
KODI SMIT-MCPHEE AS DEE DEE RAMONE
Smit-McPhee is best known for his role as the Boy in The Road, the film adapatation of Cormac McCarthy's dystopian novel; his last role was in another end-of-days movie (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes). Hopefully, he'll ditch the dark dystopias for Scorsese – he's a dead ringer for young Dee Dee.
