According to a producer of Gus Van Sant 's Harvey Milk movie, it's likely they will not cast anyone in the Dianne Feinstein role, and instead use archival footage.
Producer Dan Jinks from the Jinks/Cohen Co. said, "It is a miracle we are actually here [in SF]. It is still incredibly hard to get financing for this kind of movie. We were all asked to cut our fees."
According to Jinks, even the actors are receiving less than they would normally get for the roles. And (our favorite part), instead of every actor having their own trailer, they are being asked to share three to a trailer. Now, a hottie actor sandwich is something we're sure Milk would have eaten right up!
By popular demand, more Milk cookies: In 1993, when Van Sant thought he would direct the Oliver Stone-backed film with Robin Williams in the lead, he moved into Cleve Jones' apartment for four months to do "research" on the film.
Producer Bruce Cohen said there will be two marches reproduced for the film, and because they can only afford to pay a handful of extras, they will be seeking volunteers — up to 1,000 people — to march in the scenes. They will be advertising the dates closer to shooting, but it will be on a Friday night in late January or early February.
Brief recap of what we know so far re the cast:
Recently divorced (the better to research his gay ways?) Sean Penn will play Harvey.
Luscious Gael Garcia Bernal will play Jack Lira, Milk's second lover, who committed suicide.
Emile Hirsch will play Cleve Jones.
They tested Ann Cronenberg's daughter to play Ann Cronenberg, but we don't know the result. Matt Damon, rumored to be up for Dan White, will not be playing the role.
Keep us in the feedback loop, filmies!
It feels like Christmas all over again-- all these pictures of Gael are like presents-- magnificent, wondrous presents. 
