Quick Hit:

Writer Howard Klausner shared how Clint Eastwood’s wisdom helped him write Reagan. He draws parallels between Eastwood’s approach to filmmaking and Ronald Reagan's leadership style, emphasizing Reagan's lasting impact on American unity.

Key Details:

• Clint Eastwood's advice shaped Klausner’s writing process for Reagan.

• Klausner, originally a skeptic of Reagan, became inspired by Reagan’s intellect and leadership.

• The film aims to remind Americans of the unity experienced during Reagan’s presidency.

Diving Deeper:

Howard Klausner’s journey to writing Reagan, a biopic about the 40th president, was greatly inspired by Clint Eastwood. In an op-ed for Fox News, Klausner recalls a pivotal moment during the filming of Space Cowboys, when Eastwood told him the secret of his success: “Find the best people, give them a mission, then get out of their way so they can do the job.” This simple yet profound advice stayed with Klausner and would later influence his approach to writing Reagan.

Klausner admitted he wasn’t always a fan of Reagan. “I’m the son of Kennedy Democrats,” he wrote, recalling how he worked on Jimmy Carter’s campaigns in 1976 and 1980. He once viewed Reagan as a “B-movie actor” and an “amiable dunce.” But over time, Klausner came to recognize Reagan's depth, describing him as "a very good governor of California" and "a better writer than me."

In the film, Dennis Quaid portrays Reagan, and Klausner aims to capture the essence of the man who united a fractured America. He highlighted how Reagan’s response to the assassination attempt in 1981 changed the national mood. Klausner wrote, "None of the above mattered anymore. The world stood still, as our new president lay at death’s door."

Reflecting on the film’s message, Klausner said that while the movie doesn’t claim to “save a country,” it does attempt to heal divisions, much like Reagan did during his presidency. “There is an ever-growing feeling on all sides out there, that a little healing wouldn’t be a bad thing for this family of ours,” Klausner observed.

Ultimately, Klausner believes Reagan’s legacy endures because of his love—for his country, his family, and even his political opponents. “That’s what we all felt that night. Love,” Klausner wrote, hoping that Reagan will inspire Americans to reconnect with that sentiment.