Billy Zane is taking on one of Hollywood’s most iconic legends in his new role as Marlon Brando. The first trailer for Waltzing with Brando, a biopic that delves into Brando’s fascinating and transformative years on a remote island in the 1970s, premiered Tuesday, November 5. Fans of the actor can now get a glimpse of Zane, 58, as he channels Brando’s distinct performances from films like The Godfather and Last Tango in Paris, blending the star’s tumultuous Hollywood life with the serenity of his tropical retreat.
The film, directed and co-written by Bill Fishman, is based on Bernard Judge’s 2011 memoir Waltzing with Brando. It offers an intimate look at Brando’s pursuit of a simpler life in the South Pacific, away from the glare of Hollywood. In the trailer, viewers are introduced to Brando’s journey to transform a barren island in Tahiti into a sanctuary. “I won an island nearby. It’s more beautiful than words can describe,” Zane’s Brando says in the teaser, hinting at the actor’s fascination with solitude and environmental sustainability.
As the trailer unfolds, we’re shown both the whimsical and troubled moments of Brando’s attempt to carve out a new life. Zane’s Brando is seen laboring over trying to make the island habitable — including the now-infamous idea of using his own urine to create potable water. At one point, an architect played by Jon Heder quips, “To live out there with even a moderate amount of convenience would be a monumental undertaking.”
The film portrays Brando’s passionate and sometimes chaotic attempts at revamping his new island home. In one scene, Zane’s Brando operates a bulldozer, while a near-miss with an airplane offers a glimpse into the unpredictable nature of the renovation.
Waltzing with Brando is a labor of love for Zane, who described it as “a love letter to Tahiti, to Brando, and his passion for sustainability.” The film also shines a light on the late Bernard Judge, an architect whose groundbreaking designs focused on environmental sustainability. Judge’s unexpected partnership with Brando, who sought a visionary home on the 12-island Tetiaroa atoll, is a central plot point of the movie.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the South Pacific, Waltzing with Brando offers more than just a portrait of the actor; it’s a tribute to a man who sought to reconnect with nature and build a lasting legacy beyond Hollywood. In addition to Zane, the film stars Tia Carrere, Richard Dreyfuss, Jon Heder, and Alaina Huffman, among others.
The movie will have its world premiere at the Torino Film Festival later this month. Proceeds from the film will also benefit the residents of Tetiaroa, a gesture from Zane and his fellow producers, Bill Fishman and Dean Bloxom.
This biopic promises to captivate fans with its mix of Brando’s larger-than-life legacy and the intimate, sometimes humorous, story of his time in paradise.
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