Will Ferrell is not pursuing a film project about President Ronald Reagan, a spokesman for the actor said Friday. The actor had read and considered the script for "Reagan" but had never committed to developing or starring in the comedic film, which had prompted a strong family backlash.
The script for "Reagan" had been described in a Variety report as a political satire about the president falling into dementia at the start of his second term.
Reagan’s children Michael Reagan and Patti Davis, as well as the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, issued statements against the idea of a film portraying dementia and Alzheimer’s in a comedic fashion.
Ferrell’s spokesman said that "Reagan" is "by no means" an Alzheimer’s comedy. Reagan died of the disease in 2004.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker responded to the news when it was first reported Ferrell was considering the role.
"This is dismaying," Baker said in a tweet. "Anyone who has family w/Alzheimer’s can tell you there is courage, but no humor here. None."
Baker responded to later reports Ferrell would not pursue the film: "Good! My family — and millions of other families — say ‘thank you.’"
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