Kermode Uncut: Casting Call

I posted recently asking you to nominate the worst performance by an actor in a really good film. The response was overwhelming. Here I pick out some of your suggestions and ask a brand new question on the subject of casting.

[@Maximillionaire666]

Wow, Kermode mentioned my comment...my life is now complete!!!

[@grindhouse74]

Nothing wrong with Brando's performance in Apocalypse Now, loved the movie and loved his performance...

[@Wollathet]

I loved Brando in Apocalypse Now despite having seen Hearts of Darkness. He wasn't the only problem, Martin Sheen had a heart attack, Sam Bottoms was on drugs and Coppola wanted to kill himself plus about a 100 other problems. I'd cast Woody Allen as Vito Corleone. It would be so funny.

[@TimH]

Empire Strikes Back as half decent is quite blasphemous even for you Kermode

[@21stCenturyCat]

great topic, must have missed the blog where you asked for suggestions

[@TheAdventureTom]

Okay. I've got two ideas. 1. After seeing Haywire I thought that Micheal Fassbender would have made a terrific James Bond. 2. I've thought a lot about if Star Wars had come out today who could be cast in the move and here's what I came up with. Luke Skywalker - Logan Lerman Han Solo - Jeremy Renner Obi-Wan Kenobi - Chow Yun-Fat Princess Leia - Kristen Bell C-3P0 - Stephen Fry (voice) Darth Vader - Benedict Cumberbatch (voice) Isaiah Mustafa - Lando Calrissian

[@Poseiden2]

Agree on Andie Macdowell in Four Weddings & A Funeral (the weird thing is that I thought she was great in Sex, Lies & Videotape - perhaps it's down to the directors). Don't agree with Katie Holmes in Batman or Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now, personally. Depending on whether people think the Harry Potter films are great (I do, mostly!) I would add Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone to this list, notably the scene at the station where he tries to find the platform - it's fair to say that he improved immeasurably.

[@danuto92]

How did Paul Henreid in Casablanca not get mentioned in this?

[@bswiders]

All Andie Macdowell's dialogue in "Greystoke" was redubbed by Glenn Close.

[@2109917162]

Stephen Fry as Slughorn in the Harry Potter films. Jim Broadbent was a miscast.

[@jazzzjasper]

@SROCeallaigh of course you are right. I was mostly thinking of the opening credits sequence, which is very matrixesque...

[@SSCFPA]

Andi McDowell? Why? What's the point of her in films? Does anything William Shatner has ever done, TV or film count, truly apocalyptic 'acting'.

[@kermodeandmayo]

On here?

[@Maximillionaire666]

If Lord of the Rings had been made in the 1960s, I could've totally seen David Lean directing it, with Oliver Reed as Aragorn, Peter O'Toole as Legolas, Alec Guinness as Gandalf and Claude Rains as Saruman. I'm not sure who'd play the other characters.

[@99Filmo]

Where can I post my thoughts on the casting?

[@AAS0009]

Should of mentioned Cruise in Valkyrie

[@LowBudgetLurker]

Gary Oldman in all the roles in all the films. I reckon he could do it.

[@danuto92]

If Withnail and I was made in the 60's I would love to have seen Peter O'Toole as Withnail and Peter Sellers as I.

[@mariomanningfan]

Kevin Costner in Untouchables or Kurt Russell in Tombstone

[@dialmformostyn]

Easy, as it's a two-for-one answer: Kevin Costner and Christian Slater in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. They couldn't even be bothered to not do an accent that didn't exist!

[@richieg5379]

Recast The Shawshank Redemption? Impossible.

[@jc13jach3]

He/she obviously meant 'Warrior'. Similar concept, I can understand the connection.

[@Kevo216666]

He's right, Shelly Duvall's performance was a visceral work of art. She put every cell of herself into it. I hate the word g****s - but it was.

[@farshnuke]

Matt Smith, Sylvester McCoy and David Tennant in Withnail and I

[@EpifanesEuergetes]

Not to tell you how to do your thing but now it is very difficult to find the next week's video and I find this "what if?" game quite fascinating so in the future you might want to add some links to your videos to facilitate navigation in this billion vid megasite.

[@carbine125]

I liked Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now. I also like Andie Macdowell perhaps not in that film but I like her anyway. And I also liked Shelley Duvall in The Shining. I like Brad Pitt too as an actor in Fincher films (although Se7en can be a little jarring). Different strokes I guese.

[@Federico1685]

I've always wished Jeff Bridges were the protagonist of Dances With Wolves, so that I could love that movie unconditionally. And another pair of protagonists other than Winslet and Di Caprio in Revolutionary Road, although I can't figure out who.

[@Relugus]

Its should be noted that Hamill is a terrific voice actor.

[@dolfinack]

Damn. How did I miss the Reeves / Dracula? Such a film.

[@trevorrapp7227]

Came here for Keanu in Dracula. Knew it had to be mentioned. It's too bad Mark didn't talk about it at all LOL. I've never heard his opinion on Bram Stoker's Dracula, one of my all time favorites.

[@thezetinsun]

Chris Tucker in Fifth Element. Nearly spoils it.

[@666deadman1988]

When did Ridley Scott go from terrifying, gruesome sci-fi horror masterpieces to badly-cast medieval epics?

[@trevorrapp7227]

still checks out 9 years later lol

[@MarkArandjus]

Y'know... I think I agree about Keanu in Dracula, that's the pick.

[@movieman82us]

Am I the only person who liked Katie Holmes in Batman Begins? Then again, I like her in general and think she's an underrated actress. I agree with Kermode on Shelly Duvall. I didn't like The Shining but I thought she was good in the movie. And as much as I love Jack Nicholson as an actor, I think that might be his worst performance. Or it's certainly down there.

[@mrderrickmcguinty]

not sure about Nicholson's performance in the Shining? that's a controversial statement

[@stewartkee6115]

+elf boy Love the Shining and think both actors and little Danny are great in it. A masterpiece.

[@Greyjew001]

I'd say cast Michael Shannon as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver

[@SethHesio]

@MrBronzefonz That's a very very good idea. It's amazing how BIG Jack Nicholson seems on screen but he's only 5' 7. Dustin Hoffman would have been very very interesting as Jack Torrance.

[@aamoran10]

@PandaRonium dont you mean hardys performance in warrior not the fighter

[@flangepipemcgee]

One other thing, Orlando get loads of grief for Kingdom of Heaven, watch Ridleys directors cut. Different story.

[@Relugus]

Transformers, directed by Brad Bird, (voices, obviously): Frank Welker as Megatron, Gerard Butler as Grimlock, Tilda Swinton as Shockwave, Bruce Boxleitner as Ultra Magnus, Mila Kunis as Beachcomber, Will Ferrel as Swindle, Jack Black as Runamuck and Runabout, Sigourney Weaver as Hound, Robert Downey Jnr as Sunstreaker.

[@Jon01911]

@SROCeallaigh Seen Coriolanus? I'd strongly recommend it, and Butler shows that he can do more than mindless action.

[@cooljimbop]

I think Bruce Dern was wonderful in Silent Running but I'd love to see what Gary Oldman could do with the part.

[@harrypmay]

@MrBrozefonz Hoffman has already played that character in Straw Dogs. I think Nicholson was a great choice. The Shining is one of my all time favourites and I don't have any problems with it.

[@Leatherbubba]

Quentin Tarantino as Jimmy in Pulp Fiction.

[@vhead1]

Ryan Gosling as R.P McMurphy?

[@sinbysin666]

@PandaRonium Wasn't he a bit too young back then?

[@NickHunter]

I saw Pour Elle in this cinema a few years ago. Fantastic cinema and amazing movie. Sorry to go all Roger Irrelevant there lol

[@Jeeves574]

Agreed about Shelley Duvall

[@rayzrealm]

*Bryan Cranston as Lex Luthor in Dawn of Justice* *Alternate Casting: Robin Williams as Hugo Strange in the Dark Knight Rises.*

[@EmoBearRights]

Ooo I want to watch Hearts of Darkness now

[@jhvscs]

Have to agree about Shelley Duvall - I'm never sure what I think of that performance

[@DanCookMovieReviews]

Jessica Lange in Rob Roy.

[@DSCH4]

2:24 DAMN, SON.

[@Beyondflix]

@dunnededunnedunne I didn't know he was attached to it at any time. Sure adapting Watchmen as a movie was a mistake in the first place. But what makes you think Greengrass would've done a better job than Gilliam? (I am aware that this kind of discussion is pointless, but still)

[@Bagrah10]

I looked up the movies from an alternate universe. One of them casts Christopher Walken as the T - 1000 from Terminator 2, which would have been absolutely amazing. "I'm afraid... I gotta Terminate you now... Miss Connor... I know, It's crazy!"

[@nar0099]

The funny thing is that with a bit of make-up, Christopher Lee could have still played Saruman in the 60's.

[@Maximillionaire666]

That's me at 1:20, YAY!!!

[@sebastianmonk1584]

Nicholas Cage in Wild at heart, or in anything to be honest.

[@rodjones117]

Yes! And that's a total YES from me. He seems to be miscast in every single role he gets. Awful. Every time.

[@SethHesio]

@frogtastic1000 I'm yet to see that, I hear it's amazing though.

[@vhead1]

Brian Cox as Lector is Silence of the Lambs would have been interesting. Not that its my favourite film

[@Chris-ln6so]

Shelley Duvall carries The Shining on her shoulders.

[@MikeKiker]

I wish that Christopher Nolan and Maggie Gyllenhall could go back and redo all of Katie Holmes' parts from "Batman Begins". Gyllenhall was great in "The Dark Knight" and dropper her into "Batman Begins" in George Lucas style would improve the film greatly!

[@bertfromseasamestreet]

Yea

[@Maximillionaire666]

@TheEvilelvis89 That's the thing with Keanu, aside from the Matrix, he has the odd talent of landing himself roles that don't really suit him.

[@rhyslloyd3200]

Its a good line...

[@andreraymond6860]

Michael Pitt in "Silk" was a leaden weight. All the production values and great acting from a supporting cast as well as wonderful story and director could not help this movie from dying from a central performance devoid of any passion.

[@MikeKiker]

*dropping her into "Batman Begins" I mean. Damn typos.

[@Jon01911]

Speaking as a Scotsman, I'd replace Mel Gibson in Braveheart with Gerard Butler. Coriolanus more than proves that he's got the acting chops. By the way, to get a response to Mark, do we just comment here? If not, where do we go?

[@SickBoyMAB]

I have a soft spot for Devil's Advocate, but Lord, Keanu was WAY out of his depth. Imagine if Ed Norton had been there instead! Pacino and Norton in the final confrontation would have been a thing to behold!

[@BaronVonPenguin]

How can you improve your favourite film by recasting it? Thats a mental exercise Mark. Heresy of heresies one of my all time favourite's is Micheael Cimino's Heaven's Gate. I understand all the derision and flaws of the film itself but I wouldn't change any of the cast whatsoever. The only thing I would alter is the sound mix which is dreadful.

[@atryart4357]

I'm the new top actor versatile with it

[@RuhBuhJuh1]

I can't recast Back To The Future. I just can't.

[@Jcolinsol]

@skinwalkerxxx Oh don't get me started on that move in general. I consider it a great disrespect to Bram Stoker, they practically inverted the meaning of everything in the book. I mean, in the book Dracula is essentially a megalomaniacal serial rapist, and for some reason, contemporary film makers think that it makes sense to try and turn him into a romantic anti-hero? It undermines the whole point of the novel.

[@Duckiman]

Christian Bale instead of Orlondo Bland in Kingdom of Heaven

[@portland182]

Linda Hamilton in the original Terminator, although she is much better in Terminator 2. Should've cast Famke Janssen or Diane Lane

[@francibrasilis]

Billy Campbell in The Rocketeer. I love this movie and definitely think that actor is its weakest link.

[@OscarHarding]

Totally agree with Duvall in The Shining- bloody annoying. You missed out Julia Roberts in Michael Collins. And Charlie Wilson's War. And Ocean's Eleven and Twelve.

[@sinbysin666]

The Empire Strikes Back is half decent!!??? NERD-RAAAGGEE!!!!

[@bolognamof]

My favorite film of all time is Werckmeister Harmonies by the master Bela Tarr. I would love to see a powerhouse like Michael Shannon take the leading role. But wait, there's a problem......he would have to learn Hungarian.....

[@SethHesio]

@frogtastic1000 Thanks man. That's v kind/ unexpected. Cheers.

[@woofalot13]

How about Keanu Reaves in every film he's been in .

[@alexh4319]

Mark Hamill was great, the guy who picked Hamil is a nutcase.

[@idioteque_x]

Finally a critic says something not-so-flattering (immediately considered a sin) about "Star Wars". Star Wars, Harry Potter and LOTR are so overrated. Thank u good doctor. U made my day.

[@DimmedDiamond]

Any actor in Nolans Batman franchise. They had no place in a Batman franchise.

[@fedoramonkey8]

Joker? ;)

[@iiblackoutx]

Empire is a half decent movie???????? noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You've crossed a line there dude :)

[@ChildOfTheWilderness]

Gerard Butler in Joel Schumacher's adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera. A man whose singing sounds like he's reversing repeatedly on gravel, yet somehow a man as great as Lloyd Webber apparently cast him for the lead (a part even the best stage singers have trouble with). The film itself is not the best, but it's not bad either. There are good perfomances by Emmy Rossum, Miranda Richardson, Minni Driver, Simon Callow & Cirian Hinds, but Butler is terrible

[@gummybits]

Mr Kermode, please pay attention: Hugh Grant in "About A Boy" Replace Hugh with David Thewlis and you have a masterpiece!!!

[@imaedacomment]

Take out Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai and place Viggo Mortensen in what could and should of been a far more intelligent role. The only homework I enjoy, Doctor!

[@Jcolinsol]

@Maximillionaire666 I disagree, the whole point is than J. Harker is a dullard.

[@FarseerRK]

@Harrysound It was bad actors in good films. Not bad actors in bad films.

[@vhead1]

@frogtastic1000 im not saying he would be better or worse im just saying it would be interesting. but you only need to watch manhunter to see cox can be just as menacing.

[@GreenGretel]

"There's a dwindling number of people who hold that view incidentally." Interesting, Brando's reputation/legacy is being reappraised in critical circles? Speaking of Keanu Reeves, I think he single-handedly kept My Own Private Idaho from being a masterpiece. Why is that guy given chance after chance? Even though he hasn't been successful in ages, he gets to helm the mega-budget 47 Ronin, which predictably ends up being a major disaster. With The Shining, I think both performances work on the whole (I agree with Kermode that Duvall is the heart & soul of that film despite the fact that Kubrick does not go out of his way to make it easy to identify with her), and to an extent they're supposed to be exaggerated to reflect the heightened, feverish reality. There's only two moments where I think both actors muck it up: Duvall, when she notices the marks on Danny's neck and goes, "HOW COULD YOU?! HOW COULD YOU!?" to Jack - which strikes me as inadvertently funny & takes me OUT of the scene. And then for Nicholson: when he's in the bathroom with Philip Stone - he overplays the whole scene and misses the mark tonally for no discernible reason.

[@spuddie3207]

Jared leto in BR2049

[@jonathanmelia]

Both DRACULA and KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, sadly, had to have stars like Reeves and Bloom in order to secure the mega budgets their directors required.

[@dilmao]

Elijah Wood in The Lord of The Rings trilogy. There.

[@2109917162]

Tom Hardy wasn't even in "The Fighter" Fail!

[@Cybjon]

Peter Sellers in Groundhog Day. I weep for something that never happened.

[@movieman82us]

But Bill Murray was perfection in that movie.

[@victoriafelix5932]

To me, Orlando Bloom looked rather like he was looking into his own armpit....

[@skinwalkerxxx]

@Jcolinsol I hate HATE so much this portrayal of Dracula as a romantic figure! It's so boring and uninspired. I read an article about this series of books called the Vampire Files. It's a vampire telling his story and his name is Thorn but he's actually Dracula in disguise and he retells his life and it shows him in a better light, like he's a romantic figure. The same writer wrote the Coppola Dracula script! I read that just before seeing the movie and I knew there would be problems