Tuesday, September 22, 2009

What If James Dean Didn't Die?


What if James Dean hadn’t died in that fateful car crash in 1955? It’s a question people have been asking since the tragic accident happened – and it’s one I ask myself every time I watch his films. But now a South African advertisement is hypothetically answering it. The eerie clip, entitled Legend, shows what Dean’s life might have been like, had he lived past 24. There are shots of Dean receiving a lifetime achievement Oscar, directing a film, protesting against the Vietnam War and working as a humanitarian ambassador.

Not gonna lie, this is pretty freakin’ cool. It was shot over 14 months and a combination of make-up, prosthetics, body doubles and CG face replacement were used to bring Dean “back to life.”

The ad finishes with the tagline: “Given more time, imagine the possibilities.”

I think I just got chills.



6 comments:

Unknown said...

WOW. goosebumps.

KC said...

I don't know what I feel about this. It's fascinating, but so creepy!

Millie said...

Not gonna lie...that was kinda creepy! But, also totally amazing!!!!

But, at the end, when the dust clears and he's still alive...it makes me want to cry!

Helen said...

I just cried a little. That breath at the end got me. Thanks so much for sharing this. RIP Jimmy xxx

Anonymous said...

Here's a scenario. He didn't die in 1955. But lived until 1974. The wreck was created using heavy equipment in 1955. It's true that Dean did appear to his friends before the staged accident, and told them goodbye, because he found another career as a private investigator. He was killed in 1974.

Anonymous said...

Dean lived past 24. This can be verified through public information known as the social security death index. No death under that name or social appears in 1955. There is one in the 1970's though.