Liam Neeson Denies Vince McMahon Casting in Chris Benoit Biopic Crossface
Actor says he has no interest in the role, knows very little about the Benoit tragedy and isn't a fan of wrestling!
Doing the press junket rounds for his new thriller The Grey, Liam Neeson has denied reports that he is in talks to play WWE owner Vince McMahon in the controversial Chris Benoit film biopic 'Crossface'. Personally I hadn't heard the rumours but Neeson has denied the story anyway. "No, I never heard of ." said Neeson with The Grey director Joe Carnahan adding; "I can't see you doing that dude." Neeson went on to say that he had no interest in the role and knows very little about Mr. McMahon or Chris Benoit and that he isn't a fan of professional wrestling. As far as movie role denials goes that is one of the biggest I've ever heard in my life! Announced late last year, Crossface will cover the shocking 2007 Benoit double murder of his wife and son before he then committed suicide and has a completed screenplay from former Weinstein Company staffer Sarah Coulter. The movie began a casting search a few weeks back and is aiming to go into production in the fall. Would Neeson have made a good Vince McMahon? Well Vince has always played up his Irish heritage (his grandparents were a mix of American/Irish descendants) and Neeson certainly has the charisma, the intimidating size and the chops to play such a complex figure like McMahon. It certainly would have been interesting casting. Though personally, my choice of actor to play McMahon would be Danny Huston for three reasons (besides his talent); 1) His formidable size (McMahon projects an awe and a presence that needs to be captured) 2) His ability to play characters who always looks like he is telling a lie, which makes the truth even harder to ascertain. Just like McMahon. 3) His evil, sadistic grin and facial expressions which at least the McMahon character is able to portray. 
But in all honesty we don't even know if Vince McMahon is a character in this film. He certainly isn't endorsing this movie and the only real life figures we have heard who will be portrayed by actors in the film are Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Kurt Angle and Triple H... though more are hinted at. Crossface is setup at SRG Films and is somewhat based on Matthew Randazzos book Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit and the Fall of the Pro Wrestling Industry, one of the countless number of books about the pressures the wrestling superstar faced throughout his career and how it was that a quiet family man, who was 100% dedicated to their safety and his ability to be the absolute best in the squared circle, one weekend murdered his wife and young son before hanging himself. The film is a mega low-budget production and it's extremely unlikely that any notable Hollywood stars would be reached for the project. SRG chief Dale Alexander Carnegie is producing, WME are packaging the project. I believe but Im not certain that this might be SRG Films first production. You can read more about the movie in our previous write-up HERE. source - worst previews