April
23 Casting Richard Nixon

Tony talk and solid reviews greeted the opening of "Frost/Nixon" on Sunday, but quite a bit of attention was placed on who plays the 37th President in Ron Howard's upcoming film adapation, set to start lensing in August.

Warren Beatty has been rumored, although it's unclear whether he's just been talking to producers or whether there is actual interest. Not only would his casting be ironic --- Beatty was a vigorous campaigner and adviser to Nixon's opponent George McGovern in 1972 --- it'd be his first film role since "Town & Country" in 2001. The play is about the unlikely pairing of Frost --- considered a journalistic lightweight --- and Nixon in a series of exclusive interviews in 1977.The play's opening drew a crowd that included Barbara Walters, Mike Wallace and Kevin Spacey. And David Frost was there, as he watched himself being played by Michael Sheen.

Whoever, takes the role will join a growing list of performers who have played RN, including Rip Torn in the 1978 miniseries "Blind Ambition," Philip Baker Hall in Robert Altman's 1984 "Secret Honor," Lane Smith in the 1989 miniseries "The Final Days" and Anthony Hopkins in Oliver Stone's "Nixon."

A pressing question: Why not Frank Langella, who is, after all, playing Nixon in Broadway's "Nixon/Frost"?

Photos: Langella in "Frost/Nixon," and with Frost at Sunday opening. Photo on right from WireImage.