MovieChat Forums > The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Discussion > The Grapes of Wrath (2015)

The Grapes of Wrath (2015)

posted 11 years ago by jaystarstar
9 replies | jump to latest

If the reports of Spielberg wanting to produce a new version are borne out, it would actually be pretty interesting to see if they could do a new version and not PRECISELY duplicate ANY of the scenes of the 1940 classic.

They would have to figure out how to tell the story from completely new perspectives.

Of course many of the main plot details would remain but they would have to be framed very differently.

I would guess certain events only alluded to in the 1940 version (Tom's barroom fight which results in his manslaughter conviction, maybe Grandpa/Grandma's arriving with the first Joads in the 1880s, maybe Pa and Ma's visit to the World's Fair 35 years earlier) might be shown in flashback/non-linear storylines.

The first key choice of course would be director. From most reports Spielberg would not direct himself but concentrate on producer duties.

The Coen Bros?

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4) You ever seen Superman $#$# his pants? Case closed.

[–] jaystarstar 11 years ago

Might as well start throwing up casting ideas:

Tom Joad: Edward Norton (He's really a little too old for Tom but he is kind of baby-faced and can be 'youthed down' to look 30ish -- although on the other hand, Tom is definitely a 'weather-beaten' mid-30ish so the age thing could just be a wash)

Ma Joad: Kathy Bates (about as much of a slam dunk as is possible to be)

Casy: Gary Sinise

Grandpa: Peter Fonda

Grandma: Ellen Burstyn

Pa Joad: Chris Cooper

Uncle John: David Straithairn

Al Joad: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Rosasharn: Michelle Williams (still has to pass for being no older than about 20 -- I believe in the novel she's only 17-18)

Connie: Shia LaBeouf (small, slight guy)

Muley Graves: Steve Buscemi (kind of weird-looking slightly-crazy guy)

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4) You ever seen Superman $#$# his pants? Case closed.

[–] raketex 11 years ago

Although this is one movie that probably doesn't "need" a remake, you do offer pretty good casting choices.

The most interesting one, in an ironic sort of "time-shifting" way, is having Henry Fonda's real-life son Peter play his 1940 movie version character's grandfather in the remake.

[–] joekiddlouischama 11 years ago

I really don't see the point of a remake. Indeed, part of what renders The Grapes of Wrath so special is its authenticity and verisimilitude. The filmmakers didn't need to recreate the Great Depression; rather, the Great Depression was all around them.

[–] MadSimian 11 years ago

What I find interesting is the OP's choice of Sinise. Considering he's already been in another Steinbeck adaptation(as Lennie in "Of Mice and Men"), I think he's not only a fan but would be more than willing to be in another adaptation. In fact, I'd have much higher hopes for the Spielberg adaptation specifically because he'd be in it.

It'll be like Luke Duke and the other guy.
Really?
Yeah.
NO!

[–] ellandroad_allstars 11 years ago

Gary Sinise actually played Tom in a stage version of GOW, although of course would be too old now. He would be a good choice for Casey though. I think a perfect Tom would've been a much younger Viggo Mortensen but nowadays I'm really not sure. Henry Fonda as Tom was perfect and made the film in many ways so it'll be hard to re-cast.

Some ideas for Tom would be...Cillian Murphy, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Sam Riley, Emile Hirsch, Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, James Franco

It would interesting how they depict Noah Joad too. A very important but overlooked character in the original. Same with Al. Someone like Dane DeHaan perhaps?

[–] MadSimian 11 years ago

Lucas Black would make a good Tom imho. He even has a natural southern accent albeit by way of Alabama instead of Little Dixie. lol

Tell Grimlock about the petro-rabbits again.
I'll give you "petro-rabbits"....CONTACT!

[–] joes119-1 11 years ago

Why aren't we demanding that the book be re-written first?

[–] mcode518 11 years ago

I think Paul Thomas Anderson would be a better choice as director, as long if the movie is adapted solely from the novel rather than a remake of the 1940 film.

But I think another Grapes of Wrath movie is unnecessary. John Ford's version is a classic in its own right.

Okay, well... filibuster.

[–] Alpha-Flight 11 years ago

Paul Thomas Anderson

Good call. I don't think anyone else could give it that level of craftsmanship. But all the same, they should leave it alone. The original will always hold up.