We’ve all, at one time or another, imagined how films would be cast years after they’ve been made. Not necessarily remakes, but just as hypothetical casting situations. I’ve always been fond of the idea of Denzel Washington taking on the role of father Merrin in THE EXORCIST. However, what isn’t so common is for a director to reimagine the cast to one of their most popular films. Such a situation arose after Bryan Singer, in a Twitter Q&A, was asked who he would cast in THE USUAL SUSPECTS if made today. His choices, although obviously thought of very quickly, prove to be an interesting read:
Chris Hemsworth as Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne)
Dane DeHaan as Michael McManus (Steven Baldwin)
Jonah Hill as Todd Hockney (Kevin Pollak)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Fenster (Benicio Del Toro)
Edward James Olmos as Dave Kujan (Chazz Palmintari)
Jennifer Lawrence as Edie (Suzy Amis)
Michael Fassbender as Kobayashi (Pete Postlethwaite)
Benedict Cumberbatch as Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey)
Some fan favourites no doubt, as well as some very talented young actors. I remember seeing THE USUAL SUSPECTS on VHS for the first time, and part of the joy was having a bunch of actors who weren’t instantly recognizable or at the top of their game. Still, how can you not love the idea of Fassbender and Cumberbatch? I think Hemsworth is a little young for the Keaton role though, as Byrne’s experience added a bit of fatherly maturity to Del Toro and Baldwin’s more childish antics.
It would be interesting to hear from other directors about how they would cast films today, and since X-Men is only 5 years older than THE USUAL SUSPECTS, perhaps Singer will rethink some of those choices soon, mentioning no names.
Source: Twitter
Dan B
Oct 30, 2013 at 10:14 am
Ha, awesome.
Knew Fassbender would be in there!