Clint Eastwood gave an unforgettable performance before Mitt Romney took the stage at the Republican National Convention in August. But many viewers were disappointed that the rumors of a hologram version of President Ronald Reagan taking the stage proved unfounded.
But next year, we may get a glimpse of the Gipper-gram!
The New Republic has the back story on the idea and the controversy surrounding its rumored appearance at the RNC in August.
The Reagan hologram was the idea of Ohio Web developer Tony Reynolds, who is a fan of the 40th President and his focus on small business. Reynolds was looking for a way to promote his crowd funding web site, and draw attention to the JOBS Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in April to encourage small business startups.
The JOBS Act passed through Congress with bipartisan support, and Reynolds wanted to call on politicians to work across the aisle on similar legislation by using a Reagan’s speech that “advocated freedom for small business.”
So why a hologram?
Reynolds says the hologram resurrection of rapper Tupac Shakur (WARNING: foul language) at this year’s Coachella music festival inspired him. He reached out to AV Concepts, one of the companies involved in creating the Tupac hologram, and collected donations to fund the project through his web site, A KickIn Crowd.
Despite the rumors, the Reagan hologram was never going to endorse Mitt Romney. He wasn’t even scheduled to appear on stage, but rather was set to speak outside the convention center.
But Reynolds, a registered independent, didn't want the hologram’s speech to be viewed in a partisan light, nor did RNC organizers want Reagan to overshadow their candidate, and the event was scrapped.
TNR reports that Reynolds is finalizing the hologram with plans to debut it next year, but won't say more.