Justin Long Gains a Leg in Robert Redford Drama “The Conspirator”

The internet has been all abuzz about both Robert Redford's Lincoln assassination aftermath drama "The Conspirator" and Justin Long's first real period piece -- especially since Long is meant to play a Civil War veteran with one leg.

One small hitch: somewhere along the way, Long gained a leg.

"Um, that was rewritten," Long tells PopcornBiz. "He was to lose his leg in the film, but then (director) Robert Redford wanted to keep it intact."

Hopefully someone told the prop guy dutifully working on that wooden leg.

"I think it would have been too complicated and it wasn't necessary for the story," Long adds. But still, who doesn't want to take on the juicy role of the one-legged guy in the post-Civil War drama? It's powerful stuff.

Movie-goers are not the only ones slightly disappointed in the change in plans. "I was excited to lose the leg too," says Long.

It's not a total loss in the appendage department. Long says that his role as a Civil War veteran, who becomes emotionally involved in the trial of Confederate sympathizer Mary Surratt (Wright Penn), does have injuries from the great war -- though not as cinematically sexy as total leg-loss.

"I do have a limp," he says. "And a cane. Not as thrilling, but that's the best I can do."

The project is finally on its two feet as well. Lionsgate just picked up the $20 million film, which is garnering strong buzz at the Toronto Film Festival. It is slated for release in spring of 2011.

Contact Us