TJ Questions, What's New, Pussycat?
Here’s where we post our “Question of the Month” and where you can send in a question about Tom and we’ll do our best to answer. To submit a question, please click on “Ellen” or “Ursula” in the “contact” link on the right of the page. Looking forward to hearing from you!
December Question of the Month: If Tom’s Life Were Made Into A Movie…
Saturday, December 9th, 2006…..who should play him?
Tom has said he can see Robbie Williams in the part. Do you agree?
Remember, a good actor wouldn’t have to look like Tom. Makeup can take care of that.
One more thing: let’s agree that Tom would not be playing himself.
Finally, would you care to speculate on what the biopic’s rating would be?
December 9th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
Tom has had, and continues to have an amazing life but I would truly hate to see anyone play him in a movie, least of all Robbie Williams. A predictable response from me, I know (and I apologise for being so boring) but I feel the same way about this as I do about TJ impersonators - I simply don’t want to go there. Nothing personal - just not for me!
I’m sure there would be a market for it because he is so iconic but I really hope it never happens - sorry!
December 9th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
honestly, I have to agree with Paula..I just can’t imagine who could possibly catch the essence of Tom. Perhaps a documentary with him now and clips of his younger days put together, A real honest look at his life now and then. Just a thought.
December 9th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
Hi:
Like all our “Questions of the Month” this is just a diversion. It’s not meant to be taken particularly seriously or to evoke any strong reactions. But, if it were a serious question, we’ve got to note that good actor, properly cast, could probably do a good job. And, after all, look at Ray! It’s a great film and we think maybe Tom deserves such a tribute. Ray Charles was on board with the project and did his own singing. Tom Jones’ story is dramatic and interesting. It might very well make a good movie. But our intention was not to argue the merits of a movie, but to ask if one were made, who would play Tom. We just wanted to have fun. Nothing more.
And, we weren’t sure people in other countries have film ratings like here in the USA, so we’ll tell you that: “G” is for general audiences; “PG” is for parental guidance; “PG-13″ means “parents strongly cautioned;” “R” is for “restricted,” anyone 17 or under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian; “NC-17″ means no one under 17 is admitted because the film might contain excessive violence, drug use, graphic sex, etc.; X means the movie contains graphic sex or violence or naughty words or, more likely, all three. Midnight Cowboy and Last Tango in Paris were two widely-distributed films with the X rating.
—Ellen & Ursula
December 9th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
But….while we’re thinking about it, one of us likes Colin Farrell, the other likes Hugh Jackman.
December 9th, 2006 at 5:30 pm
Like the other ladies I have my own vision of Tom, so I would rather not see someone else’s. I like both your choices, especially Hugh Jackman. How about Joaquin Phoenix? Rating would have to be R.
How was the opening night? Sandy
December 9th, 2006 at 6:12 pm
I prefer a good book But to answer the question I think Joaquin is a good choice. Hard one. Um, how about Rusell Crow??? I really don’t know.
December 10th, 2006 at 9:49 am
Very interesting guestion, Ladies! I think a biopic about Tom would be a wonderful tribute and I agree that Colin Farrell would be superb! He has the looks, the charisma, and enough bad-boy image that I think he could really pull it off! I also think that Johnny Depp would make a good Tom, mainly because I like looking at both of them …And I think the rating should be PG-13 even if the movies delves into some of the more personal aspects of Tom’s life. Tom is sexy enough without any explicit sex scenes! Leaves more to the imagination! Now that you’ve piqued my interest, I’m going to have to give this a little more thought and see if I can come up with anyone else! Thanks for stimulating my mind
December 10th, 2006 at 9:58 am
Nick Lachey played him in a tv show once.
http://www.nicklachey.com/
December 10th, 2006 at 11:52 am
Sorry, mharding, maybe you were lucky and they didn’t carry that show in the UK, but in our humble opinion, Nick Lachey as Tom Jones sucked. In a large way.
December 10th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
I didn’t see it.
December 10th, 2006 at 1:46 pm
I want graphics…I want a NC-17 rating.
December 10th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
I am in favor of Hugh Jackman. Good Looking, and the accent to go with it. Also, a great actor that would justice to Tom’s life story. I am wondering how the opening night at the MGM was? Please share!
December 10th, 2006 at 5:10 pm
I saw the bit with Nick Lachey. Not a good idea. I like all the actors mentioned above but are any of them masculine enough? I guess thats why they call it acting.
December 11th, 2006 at 9:17 am
Clive Owen! He’d be perfect for the role. I’m with SuzannePDX on the rating. Check him out.
December 11th, 2006 at 11:41 am
Johnny Depp is an interesting choice. I love him, too. However, I think Colin Farrell catches the essence of Tom. He’s a wild child.
December 11th, 2006 at 10:30 pm
I’m with Deb and Mary. Although I could gaze at Johnny Depp until the cows come home, Colin Farrell does have that edgey quality and rugged looks that would capture Tom’s mystique and sexiness. Johnny Depp is almost too perfectly good looking for this particular role.
December 12th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
Joaquin Phoenix. After seeing his womanizing, boozing, sexy vulnerability in Walk the Line (the Johnny Cash movie), he could pull off Tom’s story. And he has done a British accent very well in other movies. R-rated for sure unless it’s a white-washed made for TV movie… and why bother then?
December 12th, 2006 at 7:18 pm
Another vote for Clive Owen!
December 13th, 2006 at 1:53 pm
I like Robbie Willams, he’s a very good musician. A vote for him
I like Johnny Depp too, a good, sympathetic actor. Not so crazy about Joaquin Phoenix or the others. My brother-in-law suggested Antonio Banderas, not bad either. It would be cool to see a movie about Tom, of course our expectations would be very high 
Maybe it would be the best to take some unknown actor to play him.
December 16th, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Joaquin Phoenix. Perfect to play Tom Jones.
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:51 pm
ooee.. I’ve changed my mind Just saw an interview with Clive Owen. I think it is possible that he could play Tom. Any comments?
December 23rd, 2006 at 9:02 pm
Saw Clive O. on TV the other day….he’s terrific, but I don’t think he has enough…..something…to be Tom…..Oh, I dunno….cannot articulate it, but I do like him. Ellen
December 29th, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Robbie Williams no doubt, tom’s choice and a box office hit in this combination. He’s not in the same leage when you tink of vocal range, but he is definitly in the same leage as an entertainer! Just take a look at his royal albert hall performance.
January 5th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
This entry is very late, you know too much holiday stuff going on, but here is my opinion. I was having a difficult time coming up with a choice of actors until Clive O. was suggested. I think he would be a dead ringer for the older Tom, but what about another actor to play the younger version? My vote would be Benjamin McKenzie (plays Ryan Atwood on The O.C.) I have seen him in the low budget film June Bug, and was very impressed. I think he has far more range of acting than the TV series plots allow his character. He even has Tom’s original nose!