Actor Austin Haley Offers “I Saw The Light” Update – Criticizes Hank3
The I Saw The Light biopic on the life of Hank Williams is currently being shot in and around Shreveport, Louisiana, and the town is all abuzz from numerous scenes being filmed at local landmarks and road closures diverting traffic from areas the production company has set up shop for the day. Information and pictures from the set have been slow in coming for curious fans hoping to get a glimpse of what they might expect from the movie that is set to be released some time in 2015, but one of the actors, Austin Haley, who is playing “Dwayne” in the film has offered his initial take on how the movie is going, and how the film’s director Marc Abraham, and lead Tom Hiddleston (playing Hank) are faring with the task.
“This production is operating like a well oiled machine. From bottom to top,” Haley said on IMDb. “Marc Abraham is an incredible producer/director. His DP has been nominated for 2 academy awards and is about to get a lifetime achievement award. The rest of the cast and crew are very experienced and gracious. I’m not sure how exactly this will end up, borrowing no tragedy striking the set. But this is Marc Abraham’s time to shine. He has produced/directed over 40 films. This project will have legs (long lanky Hiddleston legs) and may even be considered for a nomination from the academy. Just seems that way from the feel of the set. Working on a special project.”
Austin Haley appeared on the Soap Opera Series’ Another World from 1995-1996, and played Zack Austin on One Life to Live from 1997 to 2000. He also appeared in the movies The Kings of Brooklyn (2004) and Chasing the White Dragon (2008). Haley also offered his assessment of Tom Hiddleston as Hank Williams—a pick that has caused some controversy, especially with Hank’s grandson Hank Williams III, or Hank3.
“Tom came into the make trailer, sat and played for us. The hair on the back of my neck stood up (which was good for stylist she could cut it then)… As far as Hank3 is concerned. Hell I wouldn’t even got to him for advice on music much less on who should make a movie. Marc Abraham is in Film Making not ‘wet dream’ making. McConaughey is a great actor. But no one would sit in the theatre thinking ‘hey that is Hank Sr.’. You couldn’t separate the actor from the story. I guess that’s what makes Marc a great story teller. He got Tom on his way up. In 5 years couldn’t get Tom. He will be to big too. Plus McConaughey is too old.”
Hank3 has openly criticized the casting of the British-born Tom Hiddleston for the Hank Williams role, believing an American would be more fit for the position. Though he initially proffered up Mathew McConaughey as a possible replacement, he has since explained it was simply an example of a Southern-born American who may be a better fit, not a specific suggestion. Hank3 says he was never contacted by the production company to offer any suggestions or guidance to the movie.
“There’s two Hank Williams walking this earth right now,” Hank3 said to Saving Country Music in September, referring to himself and his father Hank Williams Jr.—neither of which were consulted on the film. Americana artist Rodney Crowell has been working as the primary music consultant to the movie and Tom Hiddleston on how to pull off the role of Hank.
“For some reason, this is really bothering me,” continues Hank3. “I don’t know why. I don’t have anything to lose or gain from it. But for the approach that is happening with this movie is just not sitting right with me. And it’s not just me. There’s a lot of people I talk to out there that just don’t understand it. And this isn’t about Tom [Hiddleston]. This is about the choice. I’m not out to diss his acting or anything like that… I guess I’m so vocal about it because I care, and I want to see the best movie made.”
Austin Haley went on to praise all the actors working on the movie, including the leading ladies Maddie Hasson playing Billie Jean, and Elizabeth Olsen playing Audrey Williams. “And all the supporting Actresses and Actors… All generous and professional… An army is only as good as its General. Marc Abraham is a dam fine leader and brings an attitude of pin point vision and kindness. Which translates to the rest of this unit.”
October 30, 2014 @ 10:15 am
This guy had no need to get snarky with regards to Shelton’s stance on the casting. That was un-called for, and also, fuck that guy.
Still looking forward to the movie, but now I’ll be a little more annoyed when this douchebag hits the screen.
October 30, 2014 @ 10:17 am
Why is this guy running his mouth? First, you’re a soap opera actor. Second, family members have every right to voice their opinion. There’s no need to gratuitously insult H3. Third, we’ve all heard this guy Hiddleston sing. Hair standing on end? GTFO.
October 30, 2014 @ 2:16 pm
Gratuitous, indeed. If Rodney Crowell has heard about this, I wonder what he thinks. My guess is that he wouldn’t be too happy about.
October 30, 2014 @ 10:24 am
Pretty damn disrespectful to the grandson of Hank WIlliams and an accomplished artist in his own right.
October 30, 2014 @ 10:45 am
I have yet to understand why people are so hung on defending 3 in everything he does. Yes, he’s made some great tunes but the guy can be a fucking tool. He’s anti-everything for the sake of shock value. I’d have words too if I was Haley because Hank3 was being such a dick before he even saw anything from the film. I love Hank3 and will continue listen to his albums. He’s one of the biggest “Love the music, not the man” people out there imo.
October 30, 2014 @ 11:57 am
Hank was not disrespectful with his comments, he voiced his opinion. That was met with insults. Pretty shitty.
October 30, 2014 @ 12:56 pm
Haley can’t have an opinion? Sounds to me like he voiced an opinion unless you take his comments as fact… thus it would be fact that you shouldn’t ask Hank3 about music let alone movie making.
Also, Haley’s explanation on why McConaughey wouldn’t be a good choice shows his level of expertise vs. Hank3. Do we really all want “alright alright alright” Wooderson playing Hank Williams?
Hank3 is pissed they are not asking him about how to do the movie, plain and simple. When was the last time you heard Hank3 comment favorably about his Dad? He did in connection with this movie, simply because he is upset he’s not part of it.
October 30, 2014 @ 3:13 pm
So you’re sticking up for Haley being able to have an opinion, but trying to discredit Hank3 for having one.
And again, for the upteenth time, and as explained in detail in this article, Hank3 only suggested McConaughey as simply an example of a Southern actor more fit for the role, not as a specific suggestion. He himself has said McConaughey is probably too old at this point. It’s also a little bit of a reduction to McConaughey to refer to Wooderson when he’s the reigning Oscar winner for a male actor.
October 30, 2014 @ 10:52 am
Whatever, he’s just as entitled to spout his opinions about this movie as Hank 3 is.
At the end of the day both Hank 3 and this movie are about making money off the Hank Williams brand name.
October 30, 2014 @ 5:27 pm
That’s horse shit… Hank3 is his fucking grandson, he’s not making money off the name… It’s HIS GODDAMNED NAME.
jesus.
October 30, 2014 @ 5:46 pm
Without the name he’d be way more obscure now and probably still be playing metal. His name is the only reason he’s even remotely marketable. Don’t kid yourself
thinking he isn’t trading hard on the Williams family brand.
October 30, 2014 @ 6:51 pm
I respectfully disagree on your opinion of Hank III. He is real deal and you make an argument that kind of contradicts your point. If he was “trading hard” on the Hank Sr. Brand he would be doing things a bit differently. The man is a genre SMASHER and plays the game by his own set of rules. He could have cashed in and called it in a long time ago but pursues a road of his own making. When he does decide to bless the world by doing one of his grandfather’s songs it is scary stuff, almost too real. And it truly does make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
October 30, 2014 @ 7:50 pm
If I’m not mistaken his entree to country music was a blatant cash in to clear up some legal trouble. I’ve heard him say as much in interviews. And I know its a matter of taste, but I think without the name and face no one cares. I don’t find him very compelling or original as a performer.
October 31, 2014 @ 7:59 pm
Hank III was signed to Curb records and pretty much had the Nashville machine at his disposal. When he signed to Curb they were one of the most powerful forces in Country Music. He had any material, producer,studio, session players, etc., etc., at his disposal. I do not want to belabor this but think about that for just a bit. Do you not think that if he wanted to cash in he would not have spun that a bit different than doing really edgy country, punk, thrash, metal and his own brand that no one has really been able to label or pigeonhole? To belittle his music is sophomoric and not really grasping at the facts. If he wanted to trade in he would have “got in where he fit in” and not the path he has chosen. I believe he does what he does because that is what he feels needs doing and for that I applaud him as well as all the other outsiders who respect folks who are not afraid to be themselves.
November 27, 2014 @ 2:10 pm
Want to know the REAL TRUTH about Austin Haley?? The guy is a total idiot. Ask him what happened to “Little Bo Productions” and his little restaurant (Barrister’s) where he was having one affair after another with my wife (Donna Roop) and Joe Johnson’s wife, and still sleeping with his wife (Ginger). RESULTS: What to know the “kind of dickhead” this guy is,…….read this,……..he also had another affair with Kimberly Collins. EVERYONE ONE OF THEM IS NOW DIVORCED,…..and Austin LOST his 3 children when Ginger FINALLY divorced him. State the FACTS about Austin. Everything he has touched or got involved in has gone “belly up”. If you want to lose your money and let this sleeze ball around any woman, she is sure to be having sex with him. Did you know he is an ALCOHOLIC, member of AA, totally BROKE, lived with his Grandmother in Tupelo with his wife and kids because he had no place to go and no money. Don’t believe me,……..read this,…..he can’s dispute this. You have been warned. This guy is a SCAM and an IDIOT. I came within 1 inch is smashing his scrawny ass in Kroger one day. He got so scared he left his cart in the store and called my attorney to have him ask me to PLEASE DON”T BEAT THE FUCK OUT OF HIM. This guy is such a pussy. Read this,…….pass it around,……..send it to ANYONE who is associated with him. THEY NEED TO SEE AND READ ABOUT THIS GUYS CHARACTER. Don’t worry, it’s not slander. It is on the internet for the WORLD TO SEE,……..so feel free to share to the public. Read his story. That fucker has NEVER brought ANY movie to a screen…….. He is an expert is fucking women and having affairs with married women and cheating on his wife. Enjoy the read,……….http://law.justia.com/cases/mississippi/court-of-appeals/2012/2011-ca-01307-coa.html……….. He can’t dispute that!!! Check out the video’s he got filmed in. Read where he was having an affair with “Joe Johnson’s Wife” from 2003 – 2004. Guess what,……he was having an affair with wife (Donna Roop) during 2003 – 2004 as well. I got divorce papers in 2003 and my divorce was final in 2004. He got CAUGHT by his wife. Ask him about the letter that Donna Roop wrote him that is in the attorney’s office that Ginger (his ex-wife) went to. It is 4 pages long. The idiot forgot to take it out of his pants pocket and his wife found it.
I’ve been wanting to get this fucker in the boxing ring, in a MMA fight, or in pads on the football field and SMASH THAT ASS. He don’t want none for some reason.
October 30, 2014 @ 11:24 am
I never liked Austin Healeys. British automotive engineering is on a par with sanitary standards in rural Bihar.
October 30, 2014 @ 1:07 pm
“British automotive engineering is on a par with sanitary standards in rural Bihar.”
Ouch!
By the way, I am genuinely impressed by your knowledge about Bihar. Of all of the regions in the world, South Asia is probably the least familiar to Americans.
October 30, 2014 @ 12:39 pm
I see nothing wrong with Haley’s comments and for Hank3 to suggest only an American should be consider is ridiculous. This is acting, the job of a good director is to find the best possible fit for the role. If they cast Daniel Day Lewis (who would crush the part) would 3 be upset? Mr. Lewis is the best actor of our time.
And regarding consulting the family….sure, they have blood ties, but Hank3 knows nothing of his Grandpa. Hank Jr. knows little as well. They would be pulling knowledge from the same sources the movie is….people that know people the knew Hank or documentation on who Hank really was.
I’m a big Hank3 fan, but as someone said above, he can be a real tool. The guy is nearing 50 years old and he needs to calm down with the “fuck everything” attitude/persona.
Or course this time of year, Halloween, is a perfect time to put on a Hank3 album and let it play through since half the damn thing is a haunted house soundtrack.
Hope this movie is solid, looking forward to it. “The Last Ride” was low budget, B level at best. Good RedBox rental.
October 30, 2014 @ 3:07 pm
Tim says:
I see nothing wrong with Haley”™s comments…
I”™m a big Hank3 fan…
Austin Haley says:
As far as Hank3 is concerned. Hell I wouldn”™t even got to him for advice on music much less on who should make a movie.
Tim says:
The guy is nearing 50 years old and he needs to calm down with the “fuck everything” attitude/persona.
Hank3 says:
I”™m not out to diss his acting or anything like that”¦ I guess I”™m so vocal about it because I care, and I want to see the best movie made.”
October 30, 2014 @ 5:17 pm
Hank3 is 41.
October 30, 2014 @ 4:56 pm
Damn y’all, is this THE Austin Haley? Has anybody on here ever heard of him before today? Can he get his head any further up the producer’s ass?
What Hank III said made a lot of sense to many of us who are close to the music of Hank Williams and close to the culture from which he came.
And immediately the same faux posters show up, flakking Hiddleston and attacking
Hank III for something he didn’t say.
THE Austin Haley is a shoo-in for the Oscar in the category of Biggest Suck-Up in A Film made in the South about the South by people who have never been there except to change planes in Atlanta.
October 30, 2014 @ 5:57 pm
Never heard of this schmuck before now but my God, what a dipshit. I will not watch this movie under any circumstance now… But I probably wouldn’t have anyway. To disrespect Shelton’s music when you are in a movie about his grandpa, that tells me that this film doesn’t “get it”.
October 30, 2014 @ 6:05 pm
Hank 3 never even met his grandfather so I find it extremely hard to believe that he’s so offended by this. He’s just crying out for attention…again.
October 31, 2014 @ 5:48 pm
I never met my grandpa but I still care about the things he stood for and how others might portray him
October 30, 2014 @ 6:08 pm
This guy is playing DWAYNE WHO IN THE HELL IS DWAYNE for one I have no clue who Dwayne is I have studied hank srs life and I never seen anything about a guy named Dwayne in his life ?? who in the hell is Dwayne
October 30, 2014 @ 6:31 pm
First of all, none of this would matter if Hank3 wouldn’t have said anything in the first place, but he had to open his big mouth and bitch for the sake of bitching. I never thought I could like him less than when he sings, but even the most annoying, shitty voice on the planet must be backed by an asshole.
I will never understand his popularity. He’s got a grating, annoying tone to his voice that I cannot stomach.
Tom Hiddlston is going to crush this part. Haley made a HUGE point in his statement saying that if a major name played Hank, we’d have trouble separating the actor from the part he’s portraying. He is absolutely, 100% correct.
October 30, 2014 @ 9:07 pm
If you really find 3’s voice that awful, I would have to think you hate Seniors voice as well… So why are you commenting? It’s much more important that a singer sing from the heart than to be a technical singer. Stick with “American idol’s” if that’s your taste.
October 30, 2014 @ 9:28 pm
Nice assumption, that just because I don’t like Hank3 I must like American Idol bullshit.
And no, I don’t like Hank Sr’s voice all that much. Quite frankly, I don’t much care for any of the Hanks. I don’t like 1 or 3 for their vocals. I don’t like Jr. because he’s a dumbass.
You’re right–technical prowess is overrated, but there are guys out there like Chris Knight and Ryan Bingham work around their voices, and they’re great vocalists–Knight because his pain seeps through with ease and the fact that he’s clearly aware of his limitations, Bingham because he twisted his ashtray voice into a unique vocal style.
Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson, arguably the two most important country artists of this current generation, lack supreme vocal talent if we’re to talk about range and technical skill. Doesn’t matter, because they know what’s in the toolbox and don’t try anything absurd.
Hank3 sounds like every man’s mid morning, coffee induced ritual. Not good at all.
October 31, 2014 @ 6:37 am
You’ve discussed various imperfect singers that you seem to “get.” Don’t you think there are people that feel that they “get” Hank3’s singing? But because you don’t get him, he’s not a good singer? I think that’s a little weak.
October 31, 2014 @ 6:44 am
I think you’re mistaking my, I don’t know what I’d call it, passion? in my posts as me making blanket statements. What I believe is what I believe, but that doesn’t mean I hold it against anybody who believes otherwise. I’m bashing Hank3’s voice, not people who listen to him.
I’ve tried, and continue to try. Over time, other artists with similar limitations have grown on me. I honestly hope he does, eventually, but so far he hasn’t. I think I tend to agree with people who’ve stated he’s a bit too much shock value, at this stage in his career.
October 31, 2014 @ 6:38 am
Well you’re on the money about Chris Knight.
October 31, 2014 @ 6:57 am
I used to think III sounded a lot like Hank Sr. But I really hadn’t listened to much Hank Sr. in the years prior to III starting to record country music. When I went back and listened to some of Hank’s music I realized that, while Shelton does have the moan and the phrasing down, his voice isn’t really any closer to Hank’s than that of any random person singing through his nose. Hank’s voice is much deeper; it’s actually much closer to Junior’s, but it’s just not as obvious because Junior doesn’t sing through his nose.
Shelton’s stage presence is much different than Hank’s, as well. Hank always flashed that crooked grin onstage, and he kept time bobbing at the knees. I’ve never seen Shelton smile, and he keeps time bobbing his head.
I don’t dislike Shelton because of these differences, but I also don’t think he’s the
Second Coming some think he is. And I don’t blame him for being a little torqued off about not being involved in the project, but that’s no reason to assume that the people making this moving don’t know what they’re doing.
October 30, 2014 @ 7:12 pm
Mr Abraham wronged me in life involving this movie. I have a legitimate complaint but I will remain anonymous. Honestly Hiddleston will nail this and Abraham will reap the benefits of it. Maybe the controversy will make this project bigger than what it would have been with the cooperation of the Williams clan. Maybe the family is in on it.
October 31, 2014 @ 9:32 am
I go back and forth on this, but ultimately I think keeping the Williams family out of the production is probably in the best interest of keeping it objective rather than having it told from the family’s potentially biased point of view. “Your Cheatin’ Heart” already went down that road.
And as has already been stated, Hank Jr. barely knew his dad, and III didn’t know him at all. While they obviously have an emotional connection to the subject, they would really have nothing to add beyond what’s already in the public record.
If they were going to involve a member of the family, the only one who makes sense is Audrey’s daughter Lycrecia Williams Hoover who was raised by Hank from age 2 to age 11. She’d have personal insight into the man’s personality and habits that the two living Hanks have only read about.
On area where I feel bad for Shelton is that while his tireless efforts to get his grandfather reinstated to the Opry have been largely ignored by all but those who already think he should be in, this film could bring enough attention to the issue to get the job done without even trying.
November 1, 2014 @ 11:50 am
Where’s Clint Eastwood when you need someone to knock some sense into some folks on how to make a good Americana kind of movie. “Not everybody Likes Us But we drive some folks Wild.”
http://reviews.ticketmaster.com/7171/828530/hank-iii-reviews/reviews.htm
November 1, 2014 @ 4:29 pm
Hey Hank3,
As long as you put your music, your audience, and your passion first, you won’t ever have to give a damn about what your critics think. They can’t play a lick, they can’t carry a tune in a bucket, and they wish they could do what you do.
Just keep on keepin’ on, keep on standing up for what you believe, and don’t back down from these Hollywood peckerheads. There are those of us who understand exactly what you have been saying and why you have been saying it. And it needs
to be said, so thank you for saying it.
Ben Jones
November 4, 2014 @ 3:18 pm
If bewareD94 or whatever his internet troll name is don’t like hank 1,2 or 3 why in the hell does he even care to coment??? heres my Hank opinion just for the sake of throwing it out there I think Hank Jr is the most talented of the 3 hanks and the best singer by far of the 3. Then my 2nd place hank is Hank 3 and my 3rd place hank is hank sr.
November 8, 2014 @ 3:07 pm
I honestly don’t know why I’m bothering to try to bring a little bit of reason to this discussion, but here goes.
A handful of things bother me about this discussion.
1. The idea that a Southerner can only be played by a Southerner. Have you people ever heard of an actress called Vivien Leigh? For those of you who have never seen a little picture called Gone with the Wind, the fiery Southern belle of legend was played by none other than a BRIT. Yep. And she ain’t the only one. I’ll bet there’re all sorts of actors out there you had no idea weren’t actually Americans. THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT ACTING, PEOPLE.
2. Matthew McConaughey isn’t Southern. If you’re from Texas, or have lived there (as I did), then you know Matthew McConaughey ain’t no damn Southerner, he’s a TEXAN, and that’s two very different things, folks. Not judging, don’t give a damn whether one’s better than the other because it just ain’t mine to judge, but there it is.
3. Hiddleston has already *done* Southerner. He’s done Tennessee Williams. Well.
4. American actors have played Brits since the beginning of the film industry. Not always well. In fact, not *usually* well. But Americans seem immune to that little criticism. We can’t all be Meryl effing Streep.
5. The snarky, bitchy comments back and forth between the remaining Williamses and people like this actor are childish. I have all the respect in the world for the director, and for Hiddleston, for staying above the fray. Let the work speak for itself. Geez, people, don’t be so damn precious about your favorite artists. The world ain’t gonna come crashing down around you because a Brit plays an American. If it did, the Apocalypse would have been in 1939. Suck it up, buttercups.
PS: I don’t even like country music. I just like good movies.
November 13, 2014 @ 2:12 am
This Austin Haley dude seriously rubbed me the wrong way with his low comment, “As far as Hank3 is concerned. Hell I wouldn”™t even got to him for advice on music much less on who should make a movie.” I know Hank3 has voiced his opinion on who should play Hank Sr. in this movie, but that was his opinion and he wasn’t really bashing anyone. Now Haley on the other hand, he opened up another damn can when he brought up Hank3’s music. That only shows me what kind of people they have involved with the movie…which goes back to Hank3’s OPINION of a southerner playing a southerner in this movie. This movie is about Hank3’s grandpa, which to us in the South simply means ROOTS. It doesn’t matter if he was born after Hank Sr. was already long gone, nothin can take away that deep down connection. If the people involved with this movie doesn’t like or understand why Hank3 has an opinion then they don’t have any business making this movie, because if they really “got it”, then they wouldn’t have a problem with Hank3 voicing his opinion and would welcome any input from him. This movie is about a true legend, someone who made their mark on the Country music scene and will live on forever. I don’t care how many movies someone has been in or how much schooling they’ve had, unless they have that true deep roots southern connection then they aren’t going to be able to “feel” this part like they should. And no, I’m not saying all movies should be handled this way, just the one’s like this, about someone that so many people feel so passionate about. It’s a way of life that so many people will never understand. Yea, I might sound crazy to some people how I view this whole situation, but I really don’t give a damn because this is MY opinion. Oh yeah and when this movie does come out, I’ll damn sure spit on the screen when Haley’s character “Dwayne” makes his first appearance…IF I even watch this movie. Dammit.
September 27, 2015 @ 10:43 am
This Austin Haley is such a dick!! The guy ACTS like he is a big shot, won 100 Academy Awards, but in reality has not done a damn thing. He has had more affairs with married women than you can ever imagine, so if you are a woman, and just want to be used for sex, then he is the man. Such a piece of crap. Was married to Ginger and had 2 kids, and Ginger was expecting their 3rd child, and he was out screwing other women at the same time. She finally had enough of him and divorced him in 2009. Read about it,…..it is on the internet. This one is about Kimberly Collins and his affair with her. Of course, she is divorced now and he is long gone. You have to read this!!!! WOMEN BEWARE. He is broke, uses women for sex and money, and a big pussy to go with it. He was fucking my wife (DONNA ROOP) and Joe Johnson’s wife and his wife ALL AT THE SAME TIME (2003-2004). No telling what kind of sex parties they were having!!! Read the article,…..Austin can’t deny that!!
http://law.justia.com/cases/mississippi/court-of-appeals/2012/2011-ca-01307-coa.html