Fernando Meirelles Starts Work On Onassis Biopic 'Nemesis,' Teases Michael Fassbender For Role Of Bobby Kennedy

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by Kevin Jagernauth
April 3, 2012 4:12 PM
2 Comments

With his multi-threaded relationship drama "360" now finished and headed to theaters at the tail end of the summer, Fernando Meirelles appears to be moving on this next effort, and it's no less grand in scope.

First announced last spring, "Onassis" (which now seems to be going by the title "Nemesis") is based on Peter Evans’ book "Nemesis: The True Story of Aristotle Onassis, Jackie O, and the Love Triangle That Brought Down the Kennedys" and focuses on magnate Aristotle Onassis' contentious relationship with Bobby Kennedy who had investigated his business practices and barred him from trading the within U.S. It gets better: Evans asserts that their power struggle, which also included a battle over access with Jackie O, got so heated that Aristotle eventually financed the assassination of Bobby Kennedy. Damn.

The folks over at Cinema Em Cena have been tracking the director's Twitter account and it seems the project is now beginning to seriously roll forward. On March 15th he said, "Going to London on Sunday to begin NEMESIS" and today he teasingly sent out another social media missive: "Making cast of Nemesis. How about [Michael] Fassbender [for] Bobby Kennedy" (apologies for the broken Google translation).

Of course, both Fassbender and Kennedy are handsome men of Irish descent, and no doubt that would be a helluva piece of casting (though, as "The Kennedys" series proved, mastering that accent is nearly impossible). Is Meirelles just dream casting? Could this be a possibility? Who knows. If the director really does want one of the hottest actors on the planet, he'll have to wait as the bulk of the summer and early fall Fassbender will spend shooting Ridley Scott's "The Counselor" and Steve McQueen's "Twelve Years A Slave." But also note, Meirelles has been having fun on Twitter and also tweeted out to his followers on March 16th asking for suggestions on who to play Jackie O. Either way, Fassbender as a Kennedy? It's an intriguing prospect, particularly for a project the director says is his most ambitious yet.

"Nemesis" has a script from "City Of God" collaborator Bráulio Mantovani and will reportedly shoot later this year for a 2013. Certainly some nice old Camelot roles to fill out...if Fassy can't be Bobby, then who should?

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More: Nemesis, Onassis, Fernando Meirelles, Michael Fassbender

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Julia Samel | May 17, 2012 4:43 AMReply

Hi Mr Fernando Meirelles (legendary!)..

I'm running the 1st ever Brazilian Forro Festival in the UK, a community event, teaching us english stiffies to dance, sing and hopefully flirt a bit more, kind of thing..you know..

..and we need a little help?! I can email you details, costs are Â£14,000, income about Â£10,000.. We already have some sponsors and loads of interest and support, but a donation of Â£100-Â£500 would help us beyond words, and we'd worship you forever?

Here's the festival website:
www.forrofest.co.uk
Here's the facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/ForroFestUk

Heres some clips of last year (even the police were dancing!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxrBJO_ymNQ&feature=relmfu
www.youtube.com/watch?v=soNqC4-g_gM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQR49BCIBW8
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsMOSeBfN-0&feature=related

So, what do you think?
I can send you loads more info..if you like..
Also, we can run a charity raffle, and donate to ABC - I'd love to build on this aspect..!

Thanks so much for you time,
Julia
CT | April 3, 2012 7:41 PMReply

That would be good casting. Meireilles also wrote on his twitter about eyeing Pacino/Bardem for Onassis.