Alfred Molina … how could you?
The latest “Law & Order” spinoff, “Law & Order: Los Angeles,” casts the versatile screen actor in a prominent role.
That’s great news for television fans, but what about all those movies that demand the Molina touch? And we’re not just talking about his villainous turn in “Spider-Man 2.” Consider “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” a film that roared to life whenever Molina’s character came on screen.
But the new “L&O” isn’t content with keeping just Molina off of film sets. The show also stars Terrence Howard, the fine actor from “Hustle & Flow,” “Iron Man” and “Fighting.”
It used to be every television actor’s dream to make the leap to the big screen. And, in some ways, it still is. It’s clear Jon Hamm of “The Town” is trying to use AMC’s “Mad Men” as the vehicle to cement his silver screen bona fides.
But it’s just as often to work in reverse. Older female actresses love the small screen because it offers better, more three-dimensional roles. Just ask Holly Hunter (“Saving Grace”), Glenn Close (“Damages”) and Kyra Sedgwick (“The Closer”).
Molina doesn’t lack for work – he co-starred in four movies in 2010. But even if he squeezes in a film shoot during his new show’s hiatus he’ll still be missed by movie fans.
(Photo: The new “Law and Order: Los Angeles” debuts Sept. 29 on NBC.)
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I guess the steady paycheck’s too much to pass up on. Though there’s not a lot of artistry to something like “Law and Order,” it presents the potential for actors like Howard or Molina to keep an eight-figure income for years on end. To a point I’m glad to see fine big screen actors lending their gravitas to TV work, though like you, I’d hate to miss out on them where we can enjoy them most.
Nice gig for the non-superstars like Martin Short, too, who tend to only show their greatness in supporting film roles. Also glad to see Short showing off his dramatic side.
You know, I thought the same thing when I heard. I thought, “What would bring an actor of Molina’s talent to do a tv show. On network tv, and Law & Order no less?” I don’t see it. I mean, if it were an HBO series or a Mad Men type of quality show I would get it, But Law & Order, on regular network tv? Come on.
The only thing that would make any sense is that they made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
I used to get paid quite well as a contract worker, but I didn’t work regularly. I made more money as a contract worker than I did as a salary worker, but I enjoyed the salary work, because with each week I went without doing the thing I know how to do well, I felt as though I was losing something, as though I wasn’t as good at my job as I used to, or should be.
I think that Molena is doing the equivelant of “working broadway” only with a better paycheck, better scripts, better directors and better audience.
I see nothing wrong with this. If he’s a “serious” actor, he might want a guaranteed method of practicing his “art” which a TV Series can offer a lot better than some campy play in a lame azz theater that only the wealthy or the neuvea visit.