Will Ferrell backs out of Reagan Alzheimers Comedy

a blog by Iron Horse

Page Six:

Will Ferrell has backed out of a comedy about Ronald Reagan’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease following outrage from the former president’s family.
The 48-year-old comic confirmed Friday that while he had seen the script and considered signing on to star in and produce “Reagan,” he was no longer going ahead with the project.

A spokesperson for Will said, “The REAGAN script is one of a number of scripts that had been submitted to Will Ferrell which he had considered. While it is by no means a ‘Alzheimer’s comedy’ as has been suggested, Mr. Ferrell is not pursuing this project.”
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Good for Will Ferrell, knowing what's the line here. Sure this movie probably could've gotten a few cheap laughs out of some people, but in reality Will Ferrell hasn't ever gone for cheap laughs in my opinion. He's never been a guy that's been funny because he's an asshole like Danny McBride, or Louis CK. Will was encouraged to back out by members of the Alzheimer's community as well as members of Reagan's family saying that Alzheimer's is nothing to joke about, and it is actually very scary for the people that deal with it on a regular basis with close family.

He's funny because he is hilarious, doesn't need to make fun of a major affliction that a lot of people are related to and have lost loved ones to. Will Ferrell is funny because I can truly believe all of the characters he plays, he seems emotionally invested in them and I imagine if I'd met him after seeing any one of his films I'd expect him to be a lot like any of his characters.

Not to mention his sketch work is impeccable, from SNL to just appearances on late night talk shows, Will has been a beacon of comedy for a little over 2 decades now and he doesn't need to stoop down to making fun of a person with a real sickness to make a successful movie.