Alan Rickman on Punk, 'Potter,' and the Likelihood of a 'Galaxy Quest' Sequel

ONTD
October 9, 2013

In "CBGB," Alan Rickman plays Hilly Kristal, the man who founded the legendary New York City punk bar whose stage helped launch The Ramones, Blondie, and the Talking Heads. The film happens to co-star Rupert Grint (as a member of one of the lesser-known punk bands, The Dead Boys), proof that the "Harry Potter" universe is indeed all-encompassing.

We talked to Rickman about his own relationship to punk (distant), how close he stays to his former Hogswarts charges (fairly close), and just what kind of device he'd need for a "Galaxy Quest" sequel.

What made you want to take on this part?
I thought he was completely fascinating in the sense that he started a club that was supposed to honor country music ["CBGB" stands for "Country, Bluegrass and Blues"], and he never got to play any country music there. Along came punk and he was smart enough and open enough and generous enough to listen to what their point of view was. In fact, he became a kind of father figure to all these wild young things.

How did you get into character?
Lots of videos you can watch of Hilly and some private ones I was given. I was able to just watch him for hours, really, walking, talking, being. [The real Hilly died in 2007.]



Had you ever been to CBGB's?
I haven't, except in its new incarnation as John Varvatos.

Were you a fan of punk music?
Not really, because I was an art student and a drama student in London in the '70s. When you say "punk music," I never thought it included people like David Byrne, but now I know that it does. And also The Police. So I'd have been a bit more down that road than The Dead Boys or Television.

Read more at ONTD: http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/82294498.html#ixzz2hLfe3Zz0

Sneak peek at 'CBGB': Rupert Grint's inner punk

Bryan Alexander
USA TODAY 7:55 a.m. EDT August 6, 2013

The film, which also features Grint's 'Harry Potter' co-star Alan Rickman, follows story of NYC club.

Now for something completely different: Harry Potter star Rupert Grint on stage, holding a guitar and wearing a dog collar, in a band whose lead singer blows his nose into sandwich meat, chews the sandwich and then spits the contents into a rabid audience.

"I have always wanted to play a punk," says Grint, 24, who stars as rocker Cheetah Chrome in the historical drama CBGB (opening in limited markets Oct. 11). "It was really good fun."

Chrome, a guitarist for The Dead Boys, is one of the many musicians brought to life in the raucous story of the seminal club CBGB in New York's Bowery district, a beer-drenched springboard for some of the most vibrant new wave and punk sounds from 1973 to 2006.

The film focuses on the early days, when owner and operator Hilly Kristal gave a stage to a mix of new and veteran underground performers such as Iggy Pop, Blondie, The Ramones, Patti Smith, Lou Reed, The Police and Talking Heads.

"It was this iconic place, and it has this kind of history," says writer/director Randall Miller, who worked on the film with his writer/producer wife, Jody Savin. "But people don't know how it all began. And that's what we wanted to tell, the origin of all of this."

Kristal (Alan Rickman), a classically trained musician and jazz club manager, had planned to open a forum for country, bluegrass and blues performers, hence the CBGB initials on the now-famous logo.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/08/05/rupert-grint-rocks-cbgb/2600707/

Alan Rickman Poses as Famed Club Owner on 'CBGB' Poster (Exclusive) By Aaron Couch | The Hollywood Reporter

Alan Rickman is a man with a punk plan in the latest poster for CBGB, which is exclusive to The Hollywood Reporter.

The actor plays CBGB owner Hilly Kristal, who in the late 1970s wanted to create a venue for country, bluegrass and blues music. When those acts became difficult to book, he shifted the club's focus to booking local groups.

CBGB closed in 2008, but not before launching the careers of Patti Smith, Blondie, Talking Heads and the Ramones, as well as helping define New York's punk scene.

READ MORE: http://sg.movies.yahoo.com/news/alan-rickman-poses-famed-club-owner-cbgb-poster-050000435.html

Alan Rickman: A conversation with Alan Rickman, Part Two (STAR TALK)

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/alan%20rickman%20gifs

A Conversation with Alan Rickman, Part Two

Neil deGrasse Tyson’s interview with Alan Rickman concludes with a discussion of “the mysterious mechanism of acting and theatre and storytelling” and the use of special effects in the Harry Potter movies.

Alan Rickman: New poster for the 'CBGB' movie: Alan Rickman, Rupert Grint, Foo Fighter Taylor Hawkins (HITFIX)

First image of the sound guy, Debbie Harry, Ashley Greene and the dog

BY KATIE HASTY THURSDAY, MAR 28, 2013 8:51 PM

The "CBGB" movie is on slate for a 2013 arrival, so it's only right that there's a new poster for the film.

With the tagline "50,000 bands. One disgusting bathroom," the image displays the film's leading actors, to tell the story of New York's most infamous punk club. Alan Rickman stars as Hilly Kristal, CBGB's founder; Rupert Grint is on hand as Cheetah Chrome (Rocket From the Crypt); Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins takes up the mic as Iggy Pop; Malin Ackerman plays Blondie's Debbie Harry; Ashley Greene as Hilly's daughter Lisa; and more. Randall Miller ("Bottle Shock," "Nobel Son," "Houseguest") is directing.

Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/news/new-poster-for-the-cbgb-movie-alan-rickman-rupert-grint-foo-fighter-taylor-hawkins#bBjWADPM873z85jc.99

Alan Rickman (Don’t Call Him Snape) Snapped Up by ICM Partners (SHOWBIZ 411)

Exclusive: With four movies in the can, Alan Rickman could not be hotter right now. But don’t call him, Snape, please. (I’ve made that mistake myself.) I’m told that Rickman has just moved to ICM Partners, where he’ll be repped by Adam Schweitzer.  Rickman has already wrapped playing Hilly Kristal in the CBGB movie. He also appears in “Gambit,” the Michael Hoffman movie with Colin Firth, written by the Coen brothers, that has gone missing in the US. “Gambit” has opened abroad already and will keep opening in various countries. But it may just get a DVD release here.

READ MORE: http://www.showbiz411.com/2013/02/18/alan-rickman-dont-call-him-snape-snapped-up-by-icm-partners

Alan Rickman, Rupert Grint: Photos from CBGB filming

FROM SNITCH SEEKER.COM

http://www.snitchseeker.com/harry-potter-news/first-savannah-on-set-photos-of-rupert-grint-and-alan-rickman-in-cbgb-biopic-90207/

First Picture of Alan Rickman in CBGB News Posted by: Catherine July 01, 2012, 05:27 PM (THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

MORE ON THE LEAKY CAULDRON:http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2012/7/1/first-picture-of-alan-rickman-in-cbgb

Alan Rickman As Hilly Kristal On Set ... Or Is That Rupert Grint? (PHOTO) (HUFF POST)The Huffington Post | By Crystal Bell Posted: 06/29/2012 1:59 pm Updated: 06/29/2012 1:59 pm

It's hard to imagine Alan Rickman as anyone other than Severus Snape, but after seeing the British actor on the set of the upcoming "CBGB" film, we're starting to think that he could have made an excellent Mr. Weasley.

"CBGB," which chronicles the famous New York City music venue during the burgeoning punk rock scene of the 1970s, is currently filming in Savannah, Ga. Lucky residents have had the pleasure of spotting Rickman, sporing a curly red wig, on set. Now, you may need to squint your eyes -- and grab a magnifying glass -- but one Twitter user tweeted the following photo of Rickman, as legendary CBGB owner Hilly Kristal, from the set:

James Forrest@ForrestJim
A friend just snapped a pic of Alan Rickman filming new movie #CBGB in savannah, also starring Rupert Grint twitter.com/ForrestJim/sta…
26 Jun 12


Sure, he may be 50 feet away -- and could possibly be mistaken for his "Harry Potter" and "CBGB" co-star Rupert Grint (or is that really Rupert Grint?) -- but we think Rickman has expertly captured Kristal's signature style. Time will tell if he can nail down Kristal's punk rock swagger as well.

READ MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/29/cbgb-movie-alan-rickman-set-hilly-kristal_n_1637939.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment

Alan Rickman: "CBGB" Filming on Broughton Street in Savannah (WSAV) By: CRYSTAL BRUCE | WSAV TV 3 Published: June 26, 2012

Hollywood is descending on Savannah once again.

The movie, "CBGB" is filming on Broughton Street today.

The film's star Alan Rickman has been seen on set in Savannah along with vintage cars.

According to Broughton Street's FB page, they will be filming from 6am to 1pm near the Goodwill.

CBGB follows the story of Hilly Kristal's New York club from its origins as Country, Bluegrass and Blues (CBGB) to what it ultimately became: the birthplace of underground rock 'n roll and punk, according to the movie's fb page.


http://www2.wsav.com/news/2012/jun/26/cbgb-filming-broughton-street-savannah-ar-4040022/

Justin Bartha, Johnny Galecki to Join Alan Rickman in CBGB Film By Brian Scott Lipton (THEATER MANIA)

Additional casting has been announced for CBGB, a new film about the punk-rock scene to be directed by Randall Miller, according to Deadline.com.

The site reports that Justin Bartha will play Stiv Bators, Johnny Galecki is playing band manager Terry Ork, and Foo Fighters' drummer Taylor Hawkins will play punk rocker Iggy Pop.


READ MORE:  http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles-theater/news/06-2012/justin-bartha-johnny-galecki-to-join-alan-rickman-_56804.html

Alan Rickman Excited for "CBGB" News Posted by: Catherine June 05, 2012, 10:59 PM (THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

“Sadly I never got to go to the club when it was around, but they’re reconstructing it as we speak in a studio in Savannah so I’ll have my second youth there,” the Harry Potter star declares.

“I’ll get what might be called the vibe when I go there in three weeks, I’ll be vibing."


READ MORE:  http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2012/6/5/alan-rickman-excited-for-cbgb

Alan Rickman - Alan Rickman Eyeing 'Second Youth' On Cbgb Set 05 June 2012 16:02 (CONTACT MUSIC)

Alan Rickman is excited about playing New York club boss Hilly Kristal in a new movie, because he missed out on visiting legendary venue Cbgb in his youth.

The British actor takes the lead role in the movie, alongside a star-studded cast including Foo Fighters rocker Taylor Hawkins, who will make his acting debut as Iggy Pop, and Sting's actress daughter Mickey Sumner, who is slated to portray punk icon Patti Smith.

READ MORE:  http://www.contactmusic.com/news/alan-rickman-eyeing-second-youth-on-cbgb-set_1338834

Malin Akerman, Rupert Grint, Stana Katic, Alan Rickman to Star in CBGB Film By Brian Scott Lipton • May 27, 2012 • Los Angeles (THEATER MANIA)

Additional casting has been announced for CBGB, a new film about the punk-rock scene to be directed by Randall Miller, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Stage and screen star Alan Rickman will play Hilly Kristal, the founder of the famous East Village punk-rock club, who died in 2007.

According to the site, Stana Katic will play singer and producer Genya Ryan; Joel David Moore will play Joey Ramone; Rupert Grint is playing Cheetah Chrome, the guitarist for The Dead Boys; Malin Akerman will appear as Deborah Harry, Julian Acosta will play Johnny Ramone; Richard De Klerk will portray CBGB soundman Taxi; Josh Zuckerman will play Punk magazine creator John Holmstrom; Ryan Hurst will appear as Mad Mountain; and Estelle Harris will play Hilly's mother, Bertha Kristal.


READ MORE:  http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles-theater/news/05-2012/malin-akerman-rupert-grint-stana-katic-alan-rickma_56804.html

Alan Rickman: 'Potter' star Grint books 2 roles Joins 'CBGB' and 'The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman' By JUSTIN KROLL (VARIETY)

"Harry Potter" star Rupert Grint seems ready to transition into more adult roles, landing parts in "The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman" and "CBGB."

"Countryman" stars Shia LaBeouf as a normal guy who falls for a woman who's been claimed by a violent crime boss. Evan Rachel Wood co-stars, with Fredrik Bond helming from a script by Matt Drake.

"CBGB" stars Alan Rickman as CBGB owner Hilly Kristal and the New York City club's impact on the underground music scene, highlighting artists like the Talking Heads, the Ramones and Blondie. Grint will play Cheetah Chrome of the Dead Boys, who played a prominent role during the club's rise.






READ MORE:  http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118054551?refCatId=13

Alan Rickman to play Kristal in CBGB biopic Los Angeles May 21, 2012 (SIDNEY MORNING HERALD)

Alan Rickman is to play Hilly Kristal in a new movie about the legendary New York club boss.

The British star will shoot CBGB in Savannah, Georgia, this summer with an all-star cast portraying the likes of The Ramones, Blondie, Television, Talking Heads and Patti Smith - who all headlined at Kristal's fabled Bowery venue, which is now a John Varvatos clothing store.

"We will be recreating CBGB on a soundstage as the club no longer exists. But it will be an authentic replica of the place," a film insider says.

Kristal's daughter Lisa will serve as a producer on the project, which will tell the story of the New York club through her late father's eyes.

The movie will reteam Rickman with his Bottle Shock and Noble Son director Randall Miller, who is currently shooting a Dennis Wilson biopic with Aaron Eckhart as the late Beach Boys legend.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/rickman-to-play-kristal-in-cbgb-biopic-20120515-1yoki.html

Alan Rickman To Play Owner Of Legendary NYC Nightclub CBGB May 14th, 2012 8:49pm EDT | By: Kevin Blair (STAR PULSE)

Alan Rickman is to play Hilly Kristal in a new movie about the legendary New York club boss.

The British star will shoot "CBGB" in Savannah, Georgia this summer with an all-star cast portraying the likes of the Ramones, Blondie, Television, Talking Heads and Patti Smith - who all headlined at Kristal's fabled Bowery venue, which is now a John Varvatos clothing store.

A film insider tells WENN, "We will be recreating CBGB on a soundstage as the club no longer exists. But it will be an authentic replica of the place."

Kristal's daughter Lisa will serve as a producer on the project, which will tell the story of the New York club through her late father's eyes.

READ MORE:  http://www.starpulse.com/news/Kevin_Blair/2012/05/14/alan_rickman_to_play_owner_of_legendar

Alan Rickman to Play CBGB Founder in Biopic by Borys Kit, THR | May 14, 2012 4:45 EDT (BILLBOARD)

 Alan Rickman has signed on to play the legendary owner and founder of CBGB in Randall Miller and Jody Savin's project revolving the seminal New York rock club.

Miller will direct the picture from a script he and Savin wrote together. They hope to begin shooting in June.

Rickman will play Hilly Kristal, who in the late 1970s sought to create a venue for country, bluegrass and blues music (the "CBGB" of the name) in New York City. But after acts playing that music were tough to find, Kristal allowed local performers to play. That decision was precipitous, as the club soon became ground zero for rock 'n' roll as well as punk, launching the careers of performers such as The Ramones, Blondie and Patti Smith.


READ MORE:  http://www.billboard.com/news/alan-rickman-to-play-cbgb-founder-in-biopic-1007052352.story#/news/alan-rickman-to-play-cbgb-founder-in-biopic-1007052352.story