Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen.
While Frost/Nixon reflects his own version of events, Morgan contends that the film is “every bit as valid as Frost’s version.” Calling the script equal parts fact, fiction and the territory in between, he points out that “already the TV interviews were a distortion of the truth: The nation saw only six of the 28 hours.”
His next project, Hereafter, is a work of pure fiction. The film, to be shot next fall, will be produced by Steven Spielberg. Morgan describes it as a combination of Babel and The Sixth Sense. “It takes place in different countries at the same time,” he explains, “and it’s about what happens when we die.”
While Morgan appears to be done with Nixon—at least for the moment—he continues to watch other world leaders closely. He sees the ghost of Nixon in Brown, Britain’s embattled prime minister, whom he calls “a tragically suspicious human being.” The relationship between Blair and Bill Clinton when the two were heads of state is the subject of another of his upcoming films. “It’s a continuation from The Queen, another story with Blair. But it’s really about the transatlantic connection: Britain in relation to America,” he says. As for Clinton, Morgan believes that much of his postpresidential life is laced with sadness. “For 30 years he saw the world through the back of a motorcade. Once you have lived a life in power for that long, it must be so difficult.” A big world event happens, he says, and “no one is ringing you, no one wants to hear from you.”
Despite Morgan’s fears about his own phone not ringing, he believes he made the right choice in Howard. “I had the single best and most harmonious work experience I have ever had,” says Morgan. “If I were going on a long road trip, I would be really happy to do that with Richie Cunningham,” he adds, referring to Howard’s legendary role in Happy Days. “I would follow him to the ends of the earth. I also love how particularly unfashionable it is to follow Ron to the ends of the earth, which makes me even more determined.”
