The Oscar-winning, gay screenwriter of the movie Call Me By Your Name, has talked about the making of the movie—and some behind-the-scenes drama—in his new memoir.
James Ivory, 93, talks at length about issues he had with Italian director Luca Guadagnino, who he claims went out of his way to avoid difficult conversations.
Ivory is a revered film industry veteran. He adapted the book version of Call Me By Your Name (by André Aciman) for the screen. In his new memoir, Solid Ivory, he talks about being extremely impressed by an audition by actor Shia LaBeouf for the part of Oliver. The role eventually went to Armie Hammer.
Related: Shia LaBeouf in le buff like you’ve never seen him before
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A lengthy extract from the memoir appeared this week in GC.
Ivory said LaBeouf, “had been contacted for the part of Oliver. At this, I was doubtful. I didn’t know much about him, so I watched some of his films. He’s an extremely good actor. But as an academic writing about the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, he would be a stretch.”
However, his opinion changed after LaBeouf auditioned.
“Shia came to read for us in New York with Timothée Chalamet [who played the lead, Elio], paying for his own plane ticket, and Luca and I had been blown away. The reading by the two young actors had been sensational; they made a very convincing hot couple. But then, too, Shia was dropped. He had had some bad publicity. He’d fought with his girlfriend; he’d fended off the police somewhere when they had tried to calm him down. And Luca would not call him, or his agent. I emailed Shia to offer reassurance, but then Luca cast Armie Hammer and never spoke to, or of, Shia again.”
Related: Sequel to André Aciman’s ‘Call Me By Your Name’ to be released in 2019
According to Ivory, he had been initially signed up to screenwrite and co-direct the movie with Guadagnino. However, he too was dropped from any directorial role.
Ivory says he looked forward to attending the shoot in the town of Crema, “The last time I saw Luca was before it began, in New York, when I still believed I was co-directing with him; we joked about what might happen if we got into an argument on set, and laughed about it … And then I was dropped.
“I was never told why I had been dropped, by Luca or anybody else: it was presented in an ‘it has been decided that…’ sort of way. Luca would be the sole director.”
Ivory says he wasn’t too bothered about being dropped from the co-directing role but was nonplussed that Guadagnino didn’t speak to him directly about it.
Call Me By Your Name is the only major movie Ivory has written but not co-directed. He went on to win an Oscar for Best Screenplay for his adaptation, becoming at the time the oldest person to win an Academy Award.
Before CMBYN, he was best-known for his long-standing relationship with the director Ismail Merchant, which resulted in movies such as A Room With A View and The Remains Of The Day. The two men were partners in business and life for 44 years, up until Merchant’s death in 2005.
Donston
It’s funny because Hammer’s stilted performance and weak chemistry with Timothee is one of the few standout flaws in the movie. While Shia and Timothee together would have definitely looked less like a 38 year old trying to start something with a 15 year old. But Luca probably wanted more of that “daddy” vibe, just like he was hell-bent on casting “straight presenting” actors. However, considering what both Shia and Armie have been accused of recently, it’s probably best to just think of it as Timothee’s movie, which it pretty much was.
Based on this and a couple of interviews, Luca kinda comes off like an insensitive a-hole.
Heywood Jablowme
Funny – Luca rejected Shia because of his domestic violence baggage… not realizing that Armie had cannibalism baggage! Well who could predict a thing like that. Shia would have improved the movie greatly IMO and been truer to the book.
tommyb9
I couldn’t agree more. Armie Hammer was just not good in that movie and the chemistry was lacking. The movie was saved by everything else but I wasn’t buying Hammer’s character. Shia for sure is a better actor and has that sensibility and refinement with a twist that would have been great for the film.
cosmostephen
I thought I was the only man who felt there was little to no chemistry between the two leads. I couldn’t accept the relationship between them for five minutes. And Armie Hammer came off, for me, as another straight actor playing gay. Btw, I knew next to nothing about either of these actors or their sexuality before the screening.
Cam
Hammer looked old for the role and his performance was….ok.
So it’s funny that they didn’t want to cast the other guy because of some bad publicity when Hammer’s bad publicity is what killed the sequel.
Mike Hunt
Don’t waste your time clicking the link where it says Shia is in the buff. You have to make a Vimeo account, and then in the clip there’s no dick or arse shown. Total waste of time.
Inspector 57
Thank you for that info, Mike Hunt.
Taking one for the team!
wikidBSTN
I think Armie Hammer brought a lot of attention to the movie that would not have been there otherwise. I agree – he looked too old for the part. I’ve often thought who could have been a better cast for Oliver. Never thought of Shia, but I could see it. Especially in his somewhat younger days.
A younger and taller Ryan Phillippe could have made a good Oliver.
Donston
Shia being in that role would have brought even more attention, if that’s what they were primarily looking for. Also, it was destined to be awards bait regardless of who they cast in that role. That was an easy Oscar nom that Hammer didn’t snag because he was so obviously not good. Never mind how much the age and appearance difference made some uncomfortable. I do get why Shia wasn’t cast though.
The actual story here is Luca not seeming to respect James and not allowing him to co-direct after that was initial plan.
barryaksarben
I think Shia is a great actor while Arme is only good. I think the movie would have worked much better with Shia
The real Bruce
I could have seen Neil Patrick Harris (with dark hair) in the part of Oliver. An honest actor in an honest role. Some chemistry between Armie and Timothee, but not enough to believe. A sequel would have been nice.
Donston
One of the problems with Armie’s casting was that Armie didn’t look 25. Then, he just gave a middling performance. The age issue would have been even worse had they cast Neil.
bluewindboy
Avan Joggia!
inbama
Exactly what films did James Ivory “co-direct?”
lykeitiz
Shia is a great actor, but like Armie Hammer, there would have been a noticeable age difference.
I’m thinking Darren Criss.
iminheatlikeacat
There’s only an 8 month age difference between Shia and Darren so what are you talking about?
bsg1967
He truly must be a vile horror show of a person for Hollywood not to be able to cover it up.
Cozmo2
If he gets the part I hope he shows his pencil dick