The movie trend

[cerealkiller182]

anyone notice that the usual first picked actor for roles arnt usually the best ones for it. Somehow or another they get recasted by the one person who can do it perfectly. You just cant see anyone else being that person.

Evidence

Die Hard- Bruce Willis ( suppose to be Arnold, then Stallone, then Gere, then Burt Reynolds)
X-Men- Hugh Jackman ( suppose to be Dougarry Scott)
LOTR- Viggo Mortensen ( suppose to be Stuart Tonwsend)
Beverly Hills Cop-Eddie Murphy ( suppose to be Stallone)
Matrix-Keanu Reeves ( suppose to be Will Smith)
Indiana Jones-Harrison Ford ( suppose to be Tom Selleck)
Dirty Harry- Clint Eastwood ( suppose to be Frank Sinatra)
Batman Forever-Val Kilmer ( suppose to be Tom Hanks)

I kno Val wasnt the best Bats, but he was pretty good. Luckily it wasnt hanks. I think that role is a little too physical for him.

I just thought I'd mention it. I noticed it one day and i just wanted to get it off my chest.

[dustindame]

I dont know but the will smith one sticks out, for some reason i could almost see him in that role.

[zamphir66]

yeah he was good in "enemy of the state," i might rather have seen him than Keanu honestly.

[spiderman_2k]

you left off that The Terminator was supposed to be played by O.J Simpson.

[zamphir66]

plus will smith has a good sense of humour, imagine a scene between Neo and agent Smith: "Mr. Anderson, hello." "Ok, you better quit talkin all freaky like that. like a robot or something, trippin me out man. i don't play like that, flying through the air and ****. that's crazy."

[cerealkiller182]

i forgot the terminator. thats a good one. i still dont know about will smith. He doesnt seem to play weak characters like how neo was originally. He alwyas plays a very strong willed character.

[Tornado]

Originally posted by dustindame
I dont know but the will smith one sticks out, for some reason i could almost see him in that role.

I suppose, but I can't really picture anybody but Keanu now in the role of Neo . . .

[dustindame]

I can, somebody remake the first one with smith so i can see what it looks like.

[I Eat Cannibals]

Originally posted by cerealkiller182
Indiana Jones - Harrison Ford (suppose[d] to be Tom Selleck)

I find that interesting, especially when considering that not long afterwards Selleck was cast in a "RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK" rip-off entitled "HIGH ROAD TO CHINA" ... and we all see how ''memorable'' THAT motion picture was. :lol:

By the way, you should be clear: Were these roles which were actually offered to the actors in question then later turned down by them, or were these just considerations made by the execs & casting departments who later changed their minds?

* For example, the role of Kyle Reese was originally written for Der Ahnold, and Lance Henriksen was slated to be-- and ready to accept the role as --the "Terminator," but Arnold, to his foresight and credit, fought for the role of the machine menace, leaving the role of Kyle Reese open for Michael Biehn to assume. Whereas, regarding the O.J. Simpson connection, Orenthal James was merely "considered for"-- but was never offered --the role of the Terminator. Big Difference!

* Another example, Edward G. Robinson was originally slated to play the role of "Dr. Zaius" in the original "PLANET OF THE APES," but later turned the role down because he did not want to subject himself to the lengthy make-up periods.)

[Tornado]

How about Sean Connery as Morpheus in the Matrix, he was offered that role . . .

[PsYkOoOoO]

Sean Connery as Gandalf too.God...

[cerealkiller182]

Originally posted by I Eat Cannibals
I find that interesting, especially when considering that not long afterwards Selleck was cast in a "RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK" rip-off entitled "HIGH ROAD TO CHINA" ... and we all see how ''memorable'' THAT motion picture was. :lol:

By the way, you should be clear: Were these roles which were actually offered to the actors in question then later turned down by them, or were these just considerations made by the execs & casting departments who later changed their minds?

* For example, the role of Kyle Reese was originally written for Der Ahnold, and Lance Henriksen was slated to be-- and ready to accept the role as --the "Terminator," but Arnold, to his foresight and credit, fought for the role of the machine menace, leaving the role of Kyle Reese open for Michael Biehn to assume. Whereas, regarding the O.J. Simpson connection, Orenthal James was merely "considered for"-- but was never offered --the role of the Terminator. Big Difference!

* Another example, Edward G. Robinson was originally slated to play the role of "Dr. Zaius" in the original "PLANET OF THE APES," but later turned the role down because he did not want to subject himself to the lengthy make-up periods.)

to my knowledge the original list were all offered and turned down

[Stowe22]

Will Smith would have been horrible in the Matrix, just horrible.

[I Eat Cannibals]

Originally posted by cerealkiller182
to my knowledge the original list were all offered and turned down
I did a little checking, and found some of the following clarifications:

* "IMDb" confirms that the actors mentioned for the lead in "DIE HARD" had indeed been offered the role and had all turned it down.

In other sources:

* Both Will Smith and Ewan McGregor were originally offered the role of "Neo" in "THE MATRIX" -- and the role of "Morpheus" had been given to... Val Kilmer????????????????????

* Sly Stallone had indeed expressed interest in assuming the role of "Axl Foley" in "Beverly Hills Cop" -- but Stallone wanted to make so many changes to the script and storyline that he was later scratched off the list.

* Sinatra and Paul Newman had both been offered the role of "Dirty Harry" -- the former turned it down because of an injury prior to filming; the latter was not comfortable with the underlying political message of the film. (Newman reportedly recommended Eastwood for the role.)

* Tom Hanks appears to have been only a "consideration" for any "BATMAN" roles, but had not received any pitched offers. (...And speaking of the "BATMAN" films, I was shocked to learn that the offer to appear as the lead character in the first 1989 film had originally been extended to Kevin Kline who (thank God!) turned down the offer. )

[[B.T.W. - I like this discussion. Let's keep it going!]] :D

[Tornado]

Originally posted by PsYkOoOoO
Sean Connery as Gandalf too.God...

Damn, that's worse than Morpheus . . .

I don't think there could have been someone better to portray Gandalf than Sir Ian McKellen . . .

[Neverending]

Originally posted by I Eat Cannibals
I was shocked to learn that the offer to appear as the lead character in the first 1989 film had originally been extended to Kevin Kline who (thank God!) turned down the offer.


I don't know how true that is, but the original choice for Batman was Mel Gibson. However, he was commited to Lethal Weapon 2 and that allowed Burton to cast Michael Keaton.

Even though at the time no one was crazy about Mr. Mom as Batman I think he ended up being the best choice. If Gibson would have been cast it would just have been Mad Max in a bat suit. Michael Keaton added a fresh interpretation to the character, which is the standard for future actors to follow-including Christian Bale.

[Sublime50lbc]

Wow...Tom Hanks as Batman? That would have ruined both the Batman franchise and Hank's career.

And Sinatra as Dirty Harry? That would be very...different.

[Citizen Kane]

How can you say that, you have no idea how the unused actors would have done.

[Citizen Kane]

Originally posted by Sublime50lbc
Wow...Tom Hanks as Batman? That would have ruined both the Batman franchise and Hank's career.

And Sinatra as Dirty Harry? That would be very...different.

"Do you feel lucky, punk...a-ring-a-ding-ding?"

[JBond]

All those actors only seem like they were perfect for the role because that's what we got. If Arnold was given the role of McClaine and we were told Bruce Willis was offered the role, we'd say "Bruce who?"

(But that's not to say some were good choices)

[Citizen Kane]

Yep.

[Sublime50lbc]

Originally posted by Citizen Kane
How can you say that, you have no idea how the unused actors would have done.

True. But it still wouldnt have fit right. Maybe with him casted in such a part, some of his other movies wouldnt have been made with him because people might expect a batman-like character rather than a mentally slow ping-pong player.

[Citizen Kane]

But how do you know? Who would have expected Hanks to play a flowery Southern-fried crimimal in the age of Gump? Few people, but he pulled it off with aplomb.

[I Eat Cannibals]

Originally posted by Neverending
I don't know how true that is, but the original choice for Batman was Mel Gibson. However, he was commited to Lethal Weapon 2 and that allowed Burton to cast Michael Keaton.

"IMDb" and "AMC's" website make brief mention of the offer to Kline (who was undoubtedly one amongst many considerations), and, yes, Keaton was a gamble for Burton -- but the director said that he was so impressed with Keaton's work in his earlier feature, "BEETLEJUICE," that he just knew that Keaton could bring a certain kind of life and uniqueness to the role.

By the way, here's an interesting bit of "Bat-Trivia": Did you know that Michael Keaton's "birth name" was Michael Douglas? ...and that he changed his name so as not to impose on the "Micheal Douglas" already working as an actor in Hollywood?

[The Moose]

that's a pretty good point that you've got there. wonder what they would have been like if those movies had managed to get those actors on board. hmmmm

[Sublime50lbc]

Originally posted by Citizen Kane
But how do you know? Who would have expected Hanks to play a flowery Southern-fried crimimal in the age of Gump? Few people, but he pulled it off with aplomb.

True, again.

But still..I think that Hanks would not even look the part. because he really doesnt. Look at Bale, Kilmer, Keaton and Clooney. They all have the chin and mouth to fill the part. Where even if Hanks gained weight, he wouldnt look the part.

With the Batman comic to base the movie on, looks count. Whereas Die Hard really has no set image. So if Stallone played in Die Hard instead of Willis, maybe most of us would have grown accoustomed to him. But I think that maybe there wouldnt have been a 2nd one or a third one, for that matter.

[I Eat Cannibals]

With regard to the idea that "we could not envision a movie role going to someone else once an actor had already assumed the role," I have to disagree strongly. There are MANY instances in which I would have much rather seen someone other than the select choice play a part.

I find this most often the case with regards to female characters.

For instance: Just what the hell were they thinking when they cast Kim Basinger in the role of "Vicki Vale" and Nicole Kidman as "Dr. Chase Meridian" in the "BATMAN" movies?

And speaking of "BATMAN," I've ALWAYS insisted that Malcolm McDowell would have made a much better (and more "cost efficient") "Joker."

Whose bright idea was it to cast Jamie Lee Curtis as the heroine in "VIRUS"?

Was Dennis Quaid "really" the "best choice" for "Bowen" in "DRAGONHEART"?

Johnny Depp as "Icabod Crane" in "SLEEPY HOLLOW"? Give me a freakin' break!

...And how did Schwarzenegger and his buddy Stallone get into half of the stuff they've appeared in?

...And how in the world did Tom Cruise get selected for anything at all????

There are other examples, but you're beginning to see my point.

[Tornado]

Not to break the topic, but Sublime, what is that in your avatar?

[bloomluver]

Originally posted by I Eat Cannibals


Johnny Depp as "Icabod Crane" in "SLEEPY HOLLOW"? Give me a freakin' break!



I really enjoyed Johnny Depp in that role - he did the fainting perfectly :applaud:

who would you have cast?

[Citizen Kane]

I loved Depp in that role. I once read that he tried to make Crane "like a 12 year old girl."

[spiderman_2k]

Originally posted by Tornado
Not to break the topic, but Sublime, what is that in your avatar?

I can see that it is Frank from Donnie Darko

[cerealkiller182]

Originally posted by I Eat Cannibals
With regard to the idea that "we could not envision a movie role going to someone else once an actor had already assumed the role," I have to disagree strongly. There are MANY instances in which I would have much rather seen someone other than the select choice play a part.


Im not saying that most roles could be cast better(which is true in some cases) but some of the career-making roles (except for Batman and maybe the Matrix) usually arnt the first choice actors.

In fact, why dont we even forget i said Batman Forever.

[I Eat Cannibals]

Originally posted by cerealkiller182
Im not saying that most roles could be cast better (which is true in some cases) but some of the career-making roles (except for Batman and maybe the Matrix) usually [aren't] the first choice actors.
I'm following you, "cereal." I'm merely addressing the opinion of several of the posters who seem to be suggesting that once we've "grown accustomed" to seeing a particular performer in a particular role that there is no way for us to reasonable envision "someone other than" playing the part.

For instance: To this very day there are "purists" who continue to acknowledge only Sean Connery's "James Bond 007" as THE [only/true] "James Bond." It reminds me of that scene in "CRIMSON TIDE" where a couple of the shipmates get into a physical altercation with each other because one thought that comic artist Jack Kirby was God and only he could produce the "definitive" Silver Surfer, whereas the other crewmember was a huge admirer of Moebius' interpretation of the character.

Even I'm not immune from it, sometimes! It took me quite a while, for instance, to get used to seeing Vince Vaughn mimicking Anthony Perkins in Van Sant's remake of "PSYCHO," but I've since grown to prefer this newer version over the original. I know I stand alone in that opinion, but the point is that in the hands of an actor who can make the role his/her own, NO character role is "sacred" or made "just for" one particular actor (For instance: I simply would have loved to have seen Lance Henriksen's interpretation of the title character in "THE TERMINATOR," as was mentioned earlier).

Try listening to a lot of the "Old Time Radio" serials as I do (where the performers are constantly moving on to other projects and being replaced by other voice talent) and you'll have both a better understanding & appreciation.

[secant]

I read somewhere that Harrison Ford was also a second choice for Han Solo. Some television actor was the original choice. I forget who now.
About getting accustomed - true. I think it makes a huge difference to how we see a character. I didn't think I would like Julianne Moore as Agent Starling though, but she did really well. I won't say better than Jodie, but I'll say with the part she had, almost as good.

[JBond]

I believe Christopher Walken was considered for Han Solo.

[Sublime50lbc]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
I can see that it is Frank from Donnie Darko

Yup. Its Frank alright. :D

[Citizen Kane]

Originally posted by JBond
I believe Christopher Walken was considered for Han Solo.

Yes, he was. In fact, that once found its way into a gag on SNL, the details of which are fuzzy.

[Scythe]

These mean nothing. The simple fact (Dunno if this has been said, only browsed the posts) that youve seen and come to known all the films with certain people playing the roles makes any other actor seem weird.

Jean Reno was supposed to be Agent Smith :D Now Imagine him doing all that Kung Fu fighting and trying to get a buncha Reno doubles.

[Optimus Magnus]

Jean Reno is pretty cool, but Hugo Weaving just had something about him that made Smith come alive

[PsYkOoOoO]

"Mr Anderson..."

I mean,who can do that better than Hugo?

[cerealkiller182]

btw michael madsen was suppose to play vincent vega in pulp fiction, but the role went to john travolta because QT hoped for a Vega Brothers movie( madsen played Vic Vega in Resovoir Dogs for anyone who didnt kno)