Steve Martin Cast in Ang Lee's Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

Steve Martin Cast in Ang Lee’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk

Deadline is reporting that one of my personal heroes — seriously, if you've not read his memoir, Born Standing Up, you're missing out — actor/comedian/banjo player/novelist Steve Martin has been cast in director Ang Lee's film adaptation of Dallas author Ben Fountain's Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (one of the greatest novels of the 21st century.) Unknown Joe Alwyn has already been cast as Iraq War soldier Billy Lynn. Thinking over the potential suitable parts for him in the book, Martin has got to be playing the owner of the Dallas Cowboys — the fictionalized Jerry Jones — right? I suppose he could be the agent who's trying to sell Lynn's Army squad's story to Hollywood, but I like that first possibility way more. Deadline also says Garrett Hedlund is also in line for a role. Shooting is to begin in April. In Atlanta, Since Texas Stadium, where 90 percent or more of the story takes place, doesn't exist here anymore, I guess that's understandable. Even if Billy Lynn is maybe the best Dallas novel ever.

By Jason Heid | March 4, 2015|10:02 am

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Deadline is reporting that one of my personal heroes — seriously, if you’ve not read his memoir, Born Standing Up, you’re missing out — actor/comedian/banjo player/novelist Steve Martin has been cast in director Ang Lee’s film adaptation of Dallas author Ben Fountain’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (one of the greatest novels of the 21st century.)

Unknown Joe Alwyn has already been cast as Iraq War soldier Billy Lynn. Thinking over the potential suitable parts for him in the book, Martin has got to be playing the owner of the Dallas Cowboys — the fictionalized Jerry Jones — right? I suppose he could be the agent who’s trying to sell Lynn’s Army squad’s story to Hollywood, but I like that first possibility way more.

Deadline also says Garrett Hedlund is also in line for a role. Shooting is to begin in April. In Atlanta, Since Texas Stadium, where 90 percent or more of the story takes place, doesn’t exist here anymore, I guess that’s understandable. Even if Billy Lynn is maybe the best Dallas novel ever.

Ben Fountain