Discuss: Are You Happy with How 'The A-Team' is Being Cast?
Filed under: Action, Casting, Remakes and Sequels
I could never get enough of The A-Team as a kid, because, well, it was one of those shows that was so much better than the damned cartoons everyone else watched. Because of that, I've been keeping a close eye on the whole A-Team remake through its many incarnations. (Catch up here.)
I was pretty psyched in the beginning of the year, all because of the excellent reader suggestions. Jason Lee or Sam Rockwell as Murdock? Both sounded so splendid that I don't think anyone could compete with these choices -- pure perfection. George Clooney as Hannibal? Yes, please. Brad Pitt as Face? Why not? They're not all hugely original choices, but it's quite easy to see each actor sliding into the action-packed world with a sarcastic smile on their faces.
But the casting isn't going according to our early hopes. The Hollywood Reporter posts that Bradley Cooper is in talks to play Face. Cooper is far from a terrible choice, but it just doesn't have that magic. Surprisingly, I say the same for the other casting notice: Variety reports that -- believe it or not -- Liam Neeson is in talks to play Hannibal. I love the guy, but in this instance, my brain just keeps shouting: "No!"
Maybe there's a brilliance to this that I haven't latched onto yet, but as it stands, it all sounds like a misfire. But what do you think? Is Joe Carnahan onto something with Cooper and Neeson, or do you have better choices?
Robert Pattinson Talks 'Breaking Dawn' & 'Unbound Captives'
Gwyneth Paltrow Joins Nicole Kidman in 'The Danish Girl'
Discuss: The Movies That Haunt You_thumbnail.jpg)
'Yogi Bear' Will Cry Me A River With Its Cast
Watch This: Movie Titles That Slip Into the Dialogue
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-09-2009 @ 10:19AM
Lizzy said...
Liam Neeson? That's horrible.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 11:11AM
pnut166 said...
Liam Neeson? I can`t see him chomping a cigar saying "I love it when a plan comes together." However, I COULD see Leslie Nielsen in the role. He is a fine dramatic actor - you have to look past all of his "Naked Gun" crap to his older work. But he might be too old now. What about Tommy Lee Jones? Ving Rhames as BA, of course. No one except Jim Carrey could be Murdoch! Face? Eh, pretty much any pretty boy will do.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 12:05PM
steve said...
RDJ @ Mr. T!
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 12:18PM
Stephen said...
I agree Neeson and Cooper are poor choices.
I fear with the success of 'The Hangover' we should prepare to see Cooper everywhere, including roles he isn't quite right for.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 12:25PM
Adam said...
It's gonna suck anyway, so why the hell not!! I've never seen Liam Neeson smile, much less display any hint of wit. Totally would suck. I liked it when Singleton was attached with Ice Cube as B.A. b/c it would be like a more bad-ass "Four Brothers" (which was already incredibly bad-ass). Joe Carnahan will get the action right at least, but I don't see him bringing humor at all. Hopefully he'll at least get Common as B.A. Another "Smokin' Aces" guy he should get is Ryan Renolds as Faceman, but that won't happen.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 12:49PM
njsidekick3 said...
...this is gonna suck.
My Vote:
Dennis Quaid = Hannibal
Jay Baruchel = Murdock
Josh Duhamel = Face
Djimon Hounsou = B.A.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 1:03PM
Chet said...
The A-Team is not Ocean's 11. Expect a B-team cast, at best.
Nostalgia has its limits, and an A-Team movie exceeds mine.
The thing about mining the past is that for every gold nugget there's tons of useless rock. BA's jewelry notwithstanding, this chunk is not shiny.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 2:01PM
PKO said...
I think it would be brilliant to have Katie Sakoff cast as Face. She did a kickass job as Starbuck in BSG and would be great as Lt. Temperance Peck...got admit she's got the skills to pull it off and it would be a fun trivia question in coming decades.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 2:14PM
paulganguly said...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0187719/
Terry Crews as B.A. Baracus.
You're welcome.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 3:09PM
Joan Blair said...
I worked with Bradley Cooper on "He's Just Not That Into You."
I played "The Emotionless Cashier" when his character met Scarlett's character.
He's a fabulous actor and a wonderful guy!
He would be great in the A-Team! He's handsome, funny, charismatic and in PERFECT physical shape.
You'll see...
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 4:15PM
Trevor said...
Well here's the thing. Liam Neeson=amazing, but not for this part. Bradley Cooper= exactly what it deserves. Terry Crews? I actually really like that idea, he could be a good BA. I agree, Jim Carrey NEEDS to be Murdoch. As far as Hannibal, I'm not sure. That's a tough one. Maybe Clooney?
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 4:44PM
Matt said...
How about Johnny Depp for Murdock? He seems to have cornered the market on that whole wacky-quirky-crazy schtick.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 5:03PM
GL said...
I'll only watch if Charlie Murphy is cast as Murdock.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 9:54PM
Proteus said...
Depending on the director, there are two separate perfect & affordable casts:
Hannibal: Alec Baldwin / Tim Robbins
Face: Jon Hamm / John Cusack
Murdock: Jeremy Sisto / Patton Oswalt
BA Baracus: Isaach De Bankolé / Common
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 10:57PM
Jen said...
Bradley Cooper for Face? Geez, no. Face is supposed to be the ladykiller. Cooper doesn't have the *ahem* sex appeal for that.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 10:56AM
David Musto said...
I still say Gene Hackman would be a great Hannibal. Then again, what can't he do? And Bruce Campbell as Murdock would be tremendous.
Reply
6-10-2009 @ 1:09PM
Dan said...
Sam Rockwell woulda been perfect for Murdock, or Jason Lee, and both of them are terrific. As far as Hannibal, first off, I'm not really feeling Liam Neeson ever. Clooney, I can always ride with. I was really psyched on the idea of Bruce Willis being Hannibal...THAT woulda been cool. As far as Cooper, I like the guy a lot, especially since I found out recently he's from my area, and he's bought some good will in my book. So while I agree he doesn't neccessarily have that magic, I'm willing to give him a chance.
Reply
6-13-2009 @ 9:47PM
Erik said...
I dont like either of them for the roles. Nor do i think Pitt and Clooney would fit. I mean they would but I think it would have to much of an ocean's feel. Instead I would suggest Harrison Ford (he can be serious, playful and has some good action movies) as Hannibal. What about Hugh Jackman as face? Murdock as Jim Carey and Ving Rhames as BA.
What Do you think?
Reply