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Dennis Quaid Calls Playing Ronald Reagan ‘An Enormous Challenge’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Dennis Quaid is opening up about what it was like to portray former president Ronald Reagan in the upcoming biopic REAGAN.
“Portraying Ronald Reagan was an enormous challenge,” the actor told The Daily Caller. “I think what’s going to appeal to the audience is you’re getting the whole story. I’ve always been told bits and pieces of the stories from Reagan’s life. This movie puts the whole story together.”
“The biopic is set in the Cold War, and was filmed in Oklahoma and California…The plot line follows Reagan’s journey from his childhood in Illinois, to Hollywood, and of course, throughout the Presidency of the United States,” The Daily Caller reported.
“This is an important movie, one of my most interesting roles, and I am really excited to work with the ShowBiz Direct team,” Quaid added.
“From dusty small-town roots, to the glitter of Hollywood, and then on to commanding the world stage, REAGAN is a cinematic journey of overcoming the odds,” a synopsis reads. “Told through the voice of Viktor Petrovich, a former KGB agent whose life becomes inextricably linked with Ronald Reagan’s when Reagan first caught the Soviets’ attention as an actor in Hollywood, this film offers a perspective as unique as it is captivating.”
Quaid recently shared the trailer on his Instagram account. It begins by showing Quaid riding horses with a friend. “There’s nothing a retired governor can do,” he says. “But a president, now he can do a thing or two.”
Fans commented on the post, praising Quaid’s diverse talent.
“I’m so excited! I’m your biggest fan ! I am always amazed how you transform to people I never even recognize you,” one user said.
“I can’t wait to watch it!! Big fan here too!” another person commented.
REAGAN was set to release in 2023 but was delayed due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes. The film will now release nationwide on Aug. 30, 2024.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Dennis Quaid wanted to properly honor one of his favorite presidents, and he explained how he prepared for his role as Ronald Reagan in a biopic releasing this summer.
“It was a very daunting role for me…I voted for him,” Quaid told Crosswalk Headlines. “But I didn’t want it to just be a love letter, either. You always want to try to get to who he was. It was a very interesting journey in playing that role. In a way, the great communicator was kind of unknowable, to even the people who knew him, who were in his world. I think Nancy was the only person who really knew him. There was a very private side to him.”
Quaid was given roughly a year to prepare after being offered the role. He spent that time going deep into the history of Reagan’s life, trying to get a feeling for the qualities that were not always seen by the public. Quaid also spent this period getting to know Reagan’s childhood and his time in Hollywood along with his political career.
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