Was playing Sarah Palin in HBO’s anticipated movie Game Change challenging? You betcha, says Julianne Moore.
“It was a daunting task to play somebody who is not only a living figure but a hugely well-known one,” the Oscar nominated actress told reporters at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour Friday. “I wanted to be as accurate as possible.”
Moore said she did a “tremendous amount of research” to prepare for the Emmy-baiting role, including hiring a vocal coach to capture the former Alaska governor’s “idiosyncratic way of speaking.” She also studied news footage, watched Palin’s reality show, Sarah Palin’s Alaska, and read her book, Going Rogue.
“She’s a real human being, and it’s my responsibility to portray her as accurately as possible,” Moore added.
Asked if her opinion of Palin changed during the making of the movie, Moore said, “I certainly have profound respect for the historical nature of her candidacy. From where she was taken from state government… to the national stage… The fact that she was able to perform the way she was able to was simply amazing.”
Game Change, which follows John McCain’s (Ed Harris) ill-fated 2008 presidential campaign, most notably is selection of Palin as his running mate, debuts March 10. Press play below for a first look at the new trailer.
