FIRST LOOK

Bill Murray as Franklin D. Roosevelt in 'Hyde Park on Hudson' Photo

by Ethan Anderton
November 4, 2011
Source: USA Today

It was this past March that news came around that Bill Murray would take on another great role in a Focus Features film after his turn in Lost in Translation landed him an Oscar nod back in 2003. Based on the British radio play Hyde Park on Hudson, the big screen adaptation from Venus director Roger Michell follows a love affair between Franklin Delano Roosevelt 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. Now we have our first look at Murray in the film as FDR below!

Here's Bill Murray as Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Hyde Park on Hudson, originally via USA Today:

Not only does Murray look great as Roosevelt, but having him take the role is essentially a dream come true for Michell. The director says, "It is one of those parts like Hamlet. You don't do it unless you get the right actor." And apparently it wasn't easy to get Murray, an actor who is notoriously picky in choosing his roles. Richell recalls his patient waiting game, and elaborates on Murray's dedication to the role, including depicting Roosevelt's paralysis as a result of his polio, "It was a very complicated dance and made life difficult for me while prepping the film. I wouldn't have done it without him. But after a year of waiting, I received a wonderful text that said, 'Yes, I'll do it.'" The photo seems to indicate it was well worth the wait!

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