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Bill Murray to Play Franklin D. Roosevelt in 'Hyde Park on the Hudson'

by Ethan Anderton
March 30, 2011
Source: Vulture

Though it's not going to get much better than Bill Murray playing himself in Zombieland (or for that matter Space Jam), but the actor just picked up a great role that could end up landing him an Oscar nomination. Vulture reports Murray will play Franklin Delano Roosevelt in a big screen adaptation of the British radio play Hyde Park on the Hudson. Focus Features is behind the film which follows a love affair between FDR and his distant cousin, Margaret Stuckley. This all takes place in June 1939 at Roosevelt's upstate New York cottage during the first-ever visit to America by members of the United Kingdom monarchy. A risky love affair for sure!

Richard Nelson (who also wrote the BBC radio play) has adapted the story for the big screen and production is slated to begin shooting in July with Morning Glory and Venus director Roger Michell in the director's chair. And with In the Loop producer Kevin Loader behind the project, he can hopefully bring the same caliber of talent together that was in front of the camera for the 2009 British comedy. This could very well be a great opportunity for Murray to win the Best Actor Academy Award he deserves after losing to Sean Penn (Mystic River) back in 2003. After all, turning FDR's fireside chats into Suntory Time would be a feat in itself. Sound good?

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