Owen Wilson is getting ready to go back to work for the first time since his suicide attempt a few months ago. He’s starting production on his new film “Marley & Me” with Jennifer Aniston. Yahoo News gives us this:
Wilson, 39, and co-star Jennifer Aniston begin shooting March 10 on 20th Century Fox’s “Marley & Me,” the studio said. It tells the tale of a couple who adopt a dog to give parenthood a trial run, then find the mischievous pooch more than they bargained for.
First thing that I want to say here is how great it is that Wilson appears to be back on his feet after his ordeal (even if it was self inflicted). We may never truly know what factors were involved with what happened to Wilson, and maybe that’s for the best. But whatever the motivation was, whatever illness or depression or circumstances pushed Wilson to where he found himself, it’s fantastic to see him back on his feet and apparently back to work. I’m a fan of Owen Wilson and I’m cheering him on.
Having said that, with Drillbit Taylor opening up on March 21st, you can sense that a lot of people are still feeling… I don’t know… “weirded out” (for lack of a better phrase), about the whole thing. If Johnny Depp had gone through the same thing, no one would bat an eye at his return to the screen (especially if he was coming back to another dreary Tim Burton movie), but Owen Wilson is a comedy actor. We’re accustomed to seeing him on screen and smiling, laughing and forgetting about the crappy stuff in life for 2 hours. Now, seeing the trailers for Drillbit Taylor just feels weird. I look at Owen on screen, and all I see is a depressed guy… obviously because my perception of him is still being tainted by what happened in August.
Part of the problem is that nothing has been done at this point to help the film fan community get past it. Wilson has never spoken publicly about yet (I’m not saying he should or shouldn’t have in general) and thus to most of us, our most fresh images of Owen Wilson publicly is of the shocking headlines. Some time ago he did that little interview about the Darjeeling Limited, but not a thing was mentioned about his crisis, and thus it stayed on everyone’s mind.
The question is not “Should we get over what happened with Owen Wilson?”. Obviously the answer to that question is “YES”. But “shoulds” aren’t always reality, and at this point, a lot of the movie going public is still thinking of Owen Wilson in terms of the near tragedy last summer, and trying to get people excited about seeing a movie with him right now where he’s trying to make them laugh is a hard sell.
Personally, I’m sticking with Wilson and I look forward to enjoying the rest of his career. But even I have to admit that it’s going to be very strange seeing him on screen right now… and maybe for a while.
How about you? Are you ready to see WIlson doing comedy with a clean slate? Or are your perceptions of him still a little tainted? What do you think it will take for most people to “get over it”?
sfsilver hit the nail on the head as to how i feel about Wilson
That “Darjeeling Limited” interview did absolutely nothing to set my mind at ease regarding Wilson (although I DID lose a bit of respect for Wes Anderson for trotting his friend out in that condition to help Wes pimp the movie.) Owen seemed to be heavily medicated and REALLY disconnected in that interview. It didn’t inspire confidence. Granted – that was back in October. But is he really any better now? Who knows? In Bizarro Hollywood, he was supposedly back to his old self a mere one week later! (Bullshit.) I agree with you – it’s going to be difficult to see him in a comedy again. Art IS informed by life (all protests aside.) So what would help? Perhaps some type of statement from him, even something from his publicist; no details necessary – just something to the effect from Wilson saying in essence, “I’m okay. It’s all good. Let’s all relax and have some fun” (preferably spoken in that adorable, inimitable drawl of his.) I think that would allow everybody to finally exhale and give people the opportunity (the permission?)to really laugh at his comedic performances. Without SOMETHING along those lines, there’s just too big a shadow there. The man TRIED TO END HIS OWN LIFE. I don’t think thrusting Wilson back onto the big screen and back onto a movie set cold is really going to work. The specter of a suicide attempt lurking in the public consciousness is too big and too serious a subject to just be ignored …
Thanks John, In the future I’ll reserve my more thought out, less obnoxious comments to posts that don’t get deleted. Congratz on snagging Stein.
And honestly, it’s not the suicide attempt that will torpedo this movie. It’s the fact that it looks like shit. That Super Bowl commercial was AWFUL.
Wilson owes me as an audience member nothing but delivering his usual quality (or better..) performance. If he delivers that, a I am with him. I have no right as a film fan to know anything about his personal struggles. He can chose if he wishes to discuss them, but I don’t think it is necessary for me to enjoy him on film, or for the future success of his career. I wish him much luck and hope for a continuing career as actor and writer, and will give his being in a film the same consideration it meant to me in the past.
John – I believe that you are right on target when you say that nothing has been done to help the fan film community get past it. As far as keeping his business private, that’s all very noble but more than a little naive. The truth is that his business is already out there. Owen Wilson’s a very public figure with a confirmed suicide attempt and rampant rumors of illegal drug use. Isn’t it time to give some sort of public statement, at least regarding his depression issues? He certainly wouldn’t be the only public figure to have experienced and shared such issues with his public. Then, at least, most people’s perceptions of him would change from “suicide attempt/drug abuse/refused rehab/shut out his fans” to “depression issues/dealing with his problems/brave and open/moving on”. I mean, it’s been six months – he’s going back to work and has picked up his life. It’s time for him to open up a bit. Plus, isn’t this all going to make promotion of his next couple of films geared for the younger demographic more than a little awkward? Don’t stars usually give interviews and talk a bit about their personal lives? I mean, despite the comments I’ve read above, I don’t really believe that people’s minds have actually been erased of the incident, do you? IMO – Owen’s unwillingness to talk is cementing “suicide attempt” in people’s minds, not dissipating it. If he gives an interview (even just a print interview), addresses it and then he can CLEARLY move on. Then he’ll never have to talk about it again as he can say that he’s addressed that subject. The way it stands now, it’s a dark cloud hanging over his sunny blonde head (despite the fact that others CLAIM that they can’t see it).
It won’t effect my seeing the movies one way or another.
Time always helps, but he is going to have that stigma attached to him for the rest of his life.
That being said, the trailer for Drillbit Taylor looked like business as usual for Wilson.
I don’t feel that his suicied attempt will affect any of his films enjoyment to me. I am more consernd wether this movie will be any good. I love the book.
Hey Paul,
No one made me look bad. I was right. I’m always right. :P
Those posts got deleted because they’re now obsolete. I delete those posts every week after a Wednesday show.
I think it would be awkward for this guy to get back into comedies, but only for him, and that that awkwardness will not translate either to the screen or to the audience. But that’s only because a minority of people that will see his movies will remember his suicide attempt.
Just like the awkwardness being called out on deleting your own blog postings because they make you look bad. No one will care given enough time.
I’m not really upset here John, I’m just poking fun at you, love you guys!!!
He is an amazing writer. I would love to see him do more work with Wes Anderson.
I wish the guy luck. I hope he can get over whatever it was he was going thru.
I’m glad Owen is going back to work, I hope he’s gotten the help he’s needed during this break, though I wish it was for a better project than how this sounds.
As for watching a movie he’s in and thinking about his suicide attempt it crossed my mind once when I was watching Zoolander, but I didn’t dwell on it.
personally, i don’t think anyone needs to talk about it. obviously, wilson doesn’t want to ‘share’ it with the public, nor should he feel the need.
whatever happened is a private matter and should stay that way until he sees fit.
i like the personality that comes thru his films, whether or not it’s his ‘real’ personality. i just want him to get himself right and go back to work when he’s ready.
as always, i will watch and enjoy his films when they come out.
Honestly, I think people have forgotten about his suicide attempt. Don’t hear anything about it or him anymore.
i recently watched the Darjeeling Limited, and i have to say i went into the film thinking it was gonna be weird seeing him on screen. But after a few minutes it was forgotten and he was like the same Owen Wilson “the actor” as he has always been, i don’t think people will dwell on it too much once they watch some of his new/old movies.
The events of Wilson’s personal life have nothing to do with whether I’ll enjoy his future work or not. Being in films with descriptions like this,
“It tells the tale of a couple who adopt a dog to give parenthood a trial run, then find the mischievous pooch more than they bargained for.”
on the other hand will. Seriously people, why the fuck do we watch these movies? Someone obviously thinks its going to make money. For the love god just say no. Anyway, I’m pretty sure I could care less of career with more movies like this.