“Chapter 27″ Poster With Jared Leto

Jason April 2nd, 2008 Movies

Jared Leto gained 60 pounds to play Mark David Chapman, a mentally unstable 25-year old Beatles fan who obsessed over J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye,” and who shocked the world on December 8, 1980 when he gunned down 40-year old musician and activist, John Lennon, outside his New York apartment building in the film Chapter 27.

The movie takes place in the three days leading up to Lennon’s assassination and is intended to be a deep exploration of Chapman’s psyche, without putting substantial emphasis on the murder. The title, Chapter 27, suggests a continuation of Salinger’s novel “The Catcher in the Rye,” which ends on chapter 26. Chapman attempted to model his life after Holden Caulfield, the main character of the book and was carrying a copy when he shot Lennon.

This film has drawn a lot of criticism from Lennon fans who say it glamorizes the life of Lennon’s murderer (see Boycott Chapter 27). It had a difficult time picking up a distributor but is now scheduled for limited release in the US on March 28, 2008.

I think Jared Leto actually looks pretty creepy as Chapman. He hasn’t had a strong role in a long time so it might be interesting to see him tackle this one. I’m not crazy about Lindsay Lohan’s involvement in the film, though. Lohan being in a picture usually sends up red flags for me.

What do you think? Does this film interest you? If you are a Beatles fan or John Lennon fan, would you boycott this movie to keep from glamorizing the name of Lennon’s murderer?

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Chapter 27, Holden Caulfield, J.D. Salinger, John Lennon, Lindsay Lohan, Mark David Chapman, movie posters, movie trailers, The Catcher In The Rye

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Scotty Dub 5 months ago 1 point
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Love the Beatles and I think Lennon was a genius. A movie about his killer has zero interest for me.

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Kory 5 months ago 1 point
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I am somewhat intrigued to check it out after watching the trailer. I'm with Jason when it comes to Lohan. Not wild about her being part of the cast.

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Mike 5 months ago 1 point
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I think it's getting mild reviews so far...

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jina 5 months ago 1 point
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All I can say is Jared Leto is a long way from MSCL in this movie. He looks downright nasty in this. Angela would be so sad.

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Rob O. 5 months ago 1 point
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Good Lord, 60 lbs?!! That's some serious commitment to a role! That's DeNiro caliber dedication. That's maybe not even remotely healthy to do to yourself!

Reminds me of the incredible - and painful to watch - transformation that Christian Bale underwent during "The Mechanic," a film that ultimately I don't consider anywhere near worthy of his sacrifice or considerable talent.

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Mike 5 months ago 1 point
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Oh, I thought The Machinist (Rob :) ) was awesome, and Bale did go nuts for that role.

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Cap'n Schwartz 5 months ago 1 point
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Well, there was another Jared who lost weight eating subway sandwhiches, so maybe this Jared can do the same to get the movie pounds off...

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jina 5 months ago 1 point
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I think it's interesting when actors drive themselves to do something crazy like this for a role.

Afterwards, you definitely can't put them in the same category as actors like Tom Cruise who still come across on screen like Tom Cruise playing someone different, you know.

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Rob O. 5 months ago 1 point
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Sure, her personal life is a freakshow, but I actually think Lindsay Lohan can be a very worthwhile actress, when in the right role and handled by the right director. This seems like a role that she might fit into well.

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Mike 5 months ago 1 point
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Tom Cruise in the upcoming Valkyrie will be hilarious, because he sounds just like himself (from earlier previews I saw) and he's supposed to be German or something I think.

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The Trousered Ape 5 months ago 1 point
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Yeah - I'm not sure yet how interested I am about this particular subject. I think I'm in Scotty's camp since I share similar sentiments regarding the Beatles and Lennon. I have no idea why this movie is necessary. I think it would be a shame if they attempt to humanize the situation too much and make Chapman out to be the ultimate victim in this mess, which is what I imagine (get it) will happen.

I'll probably end up watching it at some point (rental) but definitely not shelling out money for the theater for it.

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hipmonkey 5 months ago 1 point
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Well I'm not going to see it! Mack Crapman must have an erection about now, killing for fame and getting it. Anyone who sees this is a Judas.

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rgbrown 5 months ago 1 point
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Well,I knew this was going to be a touchy subject from the moment I heard this film was going into production. Living in NY on that terrible night,I think,there are many others like myself who to this day in some small way harbor some guilt that there was nothing any of us could do to stop or at least change the outcome of this tragedy.After all,it was no secret where the Lennons lived,but aside from a few autograph seekers,I can't recall there ever being any kind of commotion or people getting out of hand whenever being in the area. That was a large part of the magic...someone so respected and admired the world over being able to be just a neighbor. It made that night seem so much colder than it already was. So now this film. Many people still don't realize what was going through Chapmans' mind when he carried out this awful deed. There was no trial,so many still think it was the 'lone nut' desiring fame at any cost. I recall stories from fairly reliable sources that concerned frustrated musician turning to God and fearing Lennons comeback would some how distract from the teachings of Jesus. Now,is this film going to explore that and/or whatever else might have contributed to this obviously disturbed mind to make the decisions he made? If so,I think John,himself would be interested in checking this film out. If it's going to be another exploitation film with no desire other than to line pockets with "ghoul" money let's let it die as quick a death as possible. I think it's too early to make an accurate decision.

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Jason 5 months ago 1 point
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I think it's entirely possible to watch a film about someone's killer and still not humanize the killer so much that we forget what they did. Even if the film attempts to explain why the dude killed Lennon, it doesn't mean that we, as an audience, have to buy into the explanation or that we must somehow forget the deed.

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rgbrown 5 months ago 1 point
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Please don't get me wrong. I in no way want to understand MC's reson to humanize him. He not only committed an unforgivable act,he stole a father from a son,a husband from a wife and a wonderful gift that had been bestowed upon all of us. It's a matter of history. Of closure perhaps. The only comparison that comes to mind is the Kennedy assaination. After all this time,we still don't know what really happened there. I for one would like to know while the sickening excuse for a human being is still breathing.

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The Trousered Ape 5 months ago 1 point
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@ rgbrown - I think Jason's comment was directed towards me.

Jason - I think giving this guy an ounce more of face time than what he has already received is too much. Making a movie surrounding the events is in poor taste in my opinion. I just don't think that Chapman warrants any more publicity that a movie like this will give him - whether it paints him poorly or not. As far as humanizing the guy - I don't know what the plan is with his character, but I have a feeling that they are going to go with the angle to garner sympathy for him. That's totally unsubstantiated on my part, but I just have a feeling that it is how it will play out. I hope I am wrong.

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Jason 5 months ago 1 point
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Well, you may be right. But then, it's possible they could portray him as a Hannibal Lecter where we learn about the character and try to understand him but are never really asked to feel sorry for him or excuse his actions. You never know.

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rainbowloverj 5 months ago 1 point
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Actually, this movie sounds interesting to me just because it would be interesting to see exactly why he went from going to meet John Lennon to killing John Lennon in three days.

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Judith Furedi 5 months ago 1 point
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I am a Lennon and Beatle fan and an author.

While I understand the need to explore the darker side of things, I think making a movie about the killer of John is about as crass as commercialism gets. Writing from the point of view of the killer would have been subtle and not offensive, if done properly. I did it within the context of some of my poems. However, I did it with 'taste.'

It is a very sad thing indeed. I would not want to see this movie. It has nothing new to say.

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Judith Furedi 5 months ago 1 point
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Of course, Hollywood has no interest in making movies that are not with an element of disgust or controversy (aside from the recent 'Across The Universe').

If you want to see how I did it, read 'Dear John: Letters from a Fan in New York City, An Interactive Book,' (by Judith Furedi). You can view it at www.dearjohnlennon.com and contact me.

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Mike 5 months ago 1 point
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Did you like Across the Universe, Judith? I heard it was pretty decent, just haven't gotten a chance to see it yet.

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“Chapter 27″ Poster With Jared Leto

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