He was covered with peat moss and sweat and blood!

[serai]

.
About Elijah's latest project...

You all know he's going to be starting work on The Passenger, a biopic about that awesomely insane proto-punk Jim Osterburg, better known as Iggy Pop. You all know that, right? Right. Okay.

Now, a lot of people are not very familiar with the Igster, and his peculiar brand of batshit rock'n'roll. He's been at it for nearly four decades now, and is and has been an intense source of inspiration for rockers ever since he first made people screw up their foreheads and go WTF??? Back in my heyday during the 70's, I don't believe there was a single issue of Creem Magazine (the reigning hardcore rock mag) that didn't feature a photo somewhere inside of Iggy doing some insane bit of business onstage. Crawling around on all fours, smashing into the amplifiers, screaming and flailing and bleeding. Literally.

Johnny Rotten? Sid Vicious? Joey Ramone? POSERS. Amateurs next to the Great One.

Oh, and Bowie liked him, too.


So anyway, I thought I'd post something here for those of you who are not familiar with Iggy's, shall we say, rather special persona. Also for those of us who for whom he has rather faded into the past. It's a monologue by Henry Rollins, he of Black Flag fame, on his encounters with the amazing Igman. Don't know if you knew this, but Henry does stand-up storytelling/comedy, and the guy is truly brilliant. I got this off his Live at Luna Park DVD, and knew I had to share it.

So without further ado, here's Henry, regaling us with an account of his utterly pathetic attempts to annihilate Iggy Pop onstage. We'll meet up at the end when you're done. Pay close attention now - the guy Henry's describing? That's the guy Elijah Wood is going to play:


Henry Rollins on Iggy Pop - Don't Teach Your Grandpa How To Suck Eggs

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3



Back now? Close your jaw there, sweetheart, you're lettin' the flies in.

So, that should give you some idea of the challenge dear Elijah has let himself in for. Something to look forward to, eh?

*grin*

Comments

[gloryunderhill.livejournal.com]

That was great fun! Love Henry's spoken word work even more than his music. I'd love to see Lij stretch is skills by taking on the role of Iggy. It's really WAY outside his other roles, eh? Seems like we've been hearing about this potential movie forever. Are they actually going to make it?

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Isn't he a piss? I love his monologues. He did one on gay men that was Utterly Awesome.

And yes, it's getting made. According to Elijah, they start filming this summer. So it'll probably be at the festivals for spring, and in the theaters next summer, if we're lucky.

[elycia.livejournal.com]

*falls over laughing*

That's brilliant. Gotta love Rollins for being able to rag on himself like that. As for Iggy, I think you've just got to be BORN with that sort of Jekyll-and-Hyde energy; better living through chemistry notwithstanding, I don't think there's coke and meth enough in the world to drive that sort of barely controlled psychosis for that extended a performance!

But yeah, Elijah's bitten off a big hunk of leather this time. Fortunately, I think the movie is supposed to focus primarily on the years when Iggy was still mild-mannered Jim Osterburg from Ypsilanti or wherever it was he's from, with an eye toward what motivated him to become this famous on-stage maniac. The physical stuff I think he can actually do; I have No Earthly Idea how they intend to morph Elijah's speaking voice into Iggy's, which is somewhere beyond distinctive and a good three registers lower. (But hey, if Cate Blanchett can be the most convincing of six people playing Bob Dylan, I guess anything is possible, eh?)

I still think they ought to get Eugene Hutz to do the stunt work. ;-) Now there's a kindred spirit if there ever was one, at least in terms of absolutely unnatural, protracted onstage energy.

And boy do I ever feel sorry for the poor bastards who had to clean up the mess and set up for the Cure after all that!

[aredhelebenesse.livejournal.com]

Oh my! I love Henry's lively description of Iggy's insanity.
Surely it'll be a challenge for Elijah, but I think he's good enough as an actor to bring this character credible over. It'll work out. :)

[verangel.livejournal.com]

I have to go to work darn it!!! Maybe I can set my laptop upstairs and listen. Oh Iggy was nasty insane. Also sexually raw and dirty. I don't see Elijah doing this. But...will be there if he does. xooxo hugs v

[verangel.livejournal.com]

So I get the laptop going and listen as I am putting on the makeup...MISTAKE!!!!!! I had to pause on set 3 because I was laughing so hard trying to put eyeliner on!! This is hysterical.
hugs and thanks for bringing this. As I said, don't see Elijah in this. xoxoxo v

[withywindle01.livejournal.com]

This is terrific! Thanks for posting it. In one way, I'm having a hard time imagining Elijah doing this. But on the other hand, at least where it comes to the physical stuff, I can. I'm basing that on other peoples' interviews I've read about shooting in New Zealand and how Elijah is sort of like another Charlie Chaplin. Although the rock scene is definitely not my thing, I'll watch the movie for 'Lij's sake.

BTW...*love* your icon!

[slipperieslope.livejournal.com]

I'm still flashing back on your mentioning Creem...

[aliensouldream.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Seen these?

Iggy and Bowie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8optOhhetso

Iggy Interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x9Yk6uGcWs

'I'm Bored' + interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwni6UoImH0

Growski interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqxcgPPdYwo&feature=related

I am very buzzed about this movie (if it happens). I know Elijah can do it, I just hope all the other elements are right. It could be awesome.

[frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com]

WOW - just WOW!! Elijah certainly has the energy for it - and I for one would love to see him get the body for it!! I sure hope this movie will get made before Elijah is too old to do it!!