Will Ferrell Backs Out of Film Making Fun of Reagan’s Alzheimer’s

On the heels of the passing of Nancy Reagan, in poor taste, Will Ferrell and Gary Sanchez Productions were to produce a film called Reagan, a political satire mocking the wrenching battle that President Ronald Reagan fought against Alzheimer’s.

Page Six reported Friday that Ferrell backed out of the controversial film, titled Reagan, following a major backlash from the public outraged by the attempt to mock the late president’s struggle with Alzheimer’s.

A spokesperson for the actor said Friday, “The REAGAN script is one of a number of scripts that had been submitted to Will Ferrell which he had considered. While it is by no means a ‘Alzheimer’s comedy’ as has been suggested, Mr. Ferrell is not pursuing this project.”

Reagan’s daughter, Patti Davis, wrote the following open letter to Ferrell.  She shared the about the “pain and devastation caused by Alzheimer’s disease and challenging the actor to explain how the disease is suitable for comedic material.”

Dear Mr. Ferrell,

I saw the news bulletin — as did everyone — that you intend to portray my father in the throes of Alzheimer’s for a comedy that you are also producing. Perhaps you have managed to retain some ignorance about Alzheimer’s and other versions of dementia. Perhaps if you knew more, you would not find the subject humorous.

Alzheimer’s doesn’t care if you are President of the United States or a dockworker. It steals what is most precious to a human being — memories, connections, the familiar landmarks of a lifetime that we all come to rely on to hold our place secure in this world and keep us linked to those we have come to know and love. I watched as fear invaded my father’s eyes — this man who was never afraid of anything. I heard his voice tremble as he stood in the living room and said, “I don’t know where I am.” I watched helplessly as he reached for memories, for words, that were suddenly out of reach and moving farther away. For ten long years he drifted — past the memories that marked his life, past all that was familiar…and mercifully, finally past the fear.

There was laughter in those years, but there was never humor.

Alzheimer’s is the ultimate pirate, pillaging a person’s life and leaving an empty landscape behind. It sweeps up entire families, forcing everyone to claw their way through overwhelming grief, confusion, helplessness, and anger. Perhaps for your comedy you would like to visit some dementia facilities. I have — I didn’t find anything comedic there, and my hope would be that if you’re a decent human being, you wouldn’t either.

Twice a week I run a support group called Beyond Alzheimer’s for caregivers and family members of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. I look into haunted eyes that remind me of my own when my father was ill. I listen to stories of helplessness and loss and am continually moved by the bravery of those who wake up every morning not knowing who their loved one will be that day, or what will be lost. The only certainty with Alzheimer’s is that more will be lost and the disease will always win in the end.

Perhaps you would like to explain to them how this disease is suitable material for a comedy.

Micheal Reagan also tweeted:

 

Michael Reagan ‏@ReaganWorld

A former staffer to the President, James Rosebush, told Fox & Friends that Reagan “did not suffer from Alzheimer’s while in office.”

It is fortunate for Ferrell that he came to his senses.

Source: Breitbart