MovieChat Forums > The Apartment (1960) Discussion > Who Could Star In a Remake?

Who Could Star In a Remake?

posted 16 years ago by leojbramble
18 replies | jump to latest

Ok, first off... relax. I know some purists practically jump out of their skins at even the suggestion of remaking a classic. For the record, I DON'T think it should be re-made, I was really just trying to think if there are any contemporary actors with Jack Lemmon's same mix of dramatic skills and light comedic touch who could *theoretically* pull it off successfully. Jim Carrey is the only guy I can think of who combines solid dramatic skills and strong comedic ability, but his slapstick comic style is completely different from JL's, and he doesn't have the humble, self-effacing everyman quality that JL does.

Offhand, I can't think of a good potential contemporary Kubelic either, but if I gave it some thought, I could probably come up with one or two. But it might be really, really difficult to come up with a good Baxter type.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] MovieDude1893 16 years ago

I would only accept Jack Lemmon as Baxter. In the event of a remake I would gather every blunt instument I have at my disposal, find the man (monster?) responsible and go through whacking him 33 times with each instrument, then i would feed his disfigured body to a pack of hungry mountain lions.

Memo to Hollywood: Stay away from making a remake of this film.

Last Films Seen: The Third Man {A+}
All the President's Men {A+}

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] silversurfer015 16 years ago

The person who posted this is not asking for permission to remake the movie or is asking to sign a petition for a 2009 remake -he/she is just having some fun.

With that being said, I actually agree with Kevin Spacey on that, if he looked younger. Nice response though.

[–] LesterBangs 16 years ago

as long as Cameron Crowe directed it. That's all i would demand. Will Ferrel(see Stranger than fiction) would be pretty damn interesting as Baxter. Miss Kubelic is a reaal tough part to cast because McClaine's performance is just soooo damn nuanced and spot on. First thought in my head is Kate Hudson, but i honestly think she's forgotten how to act if its not a real formulaic rom-com. Someone else suggest Kevin Spacey for Baxter, but i think he'd be much cooler as Sheldrake.

[–] burger1124 16 years ago

You know, I've thought a while about this. I realized about two years ago that for a time period, Spielberg was going through this really kind of chic, mod, phase with his movies...just look at how Catch Me If You Can and The Terminal were shot. I thought to myself, "Wow, you know, if he kept this going, he could get away with a remake of The Apartment." I think seeing The Terminal is what led me to this conclusion. It gave me the same overall feel; that comedy-drama mix we all love.

I literally envisioned Catherine Zeta-Jones' character in The Terminal as Fran Kubelic. Seriously, it's the same character. She could do such a good job in this fake remake.

And, surprisingly, I thought of Jim Carrey for baxter. Which made me smile when I read your post. I think he does have some acting chops (The Majestic was underrated), he just doesn't show them off all the time.

At some point, I had a Fred MacMurray replacement...but I can't think of it right now. Maybe Alec Baldwin? Nah. I don't know.

But anyway, there you go. My two cents on a director and the two leads.

[–] Oscar_Madison 16 years ago

Baxter-Steve Carrell(See Dan In Real Life, Little Miss Sunshine) or maybe Adam Sandler (See Spanglish, Punch, Drunk, Love) and I think Will Ferrell would do a damn good Baxter(Stranger Then Fiction) but I think Robert Downey Jr. Would be the best possible choice.

Fran-Catherine Zeta-Jones was I think the best listed, also I think Rachel McAdams would pull it off really well as well. Also Julia Roberts would be great.

McMurey-Kevin Spacey. Nuff said.

Have Faith in Obama

[–] jiggawhat_7 16 years ago

I did this two years ago and thought of Jim Carrey as Baxter, but I dont know about that. And Sheldrake Im thinking Tom Hanks, who once in an interview said he really liked that part. And yea its hard to think of someone for Kubelik, I dunno I really like this movie too much for such thoughts.

How bout Kevin Smith for Dreyfuss....same glasses, big beard, maybe.

Goo Goo G'Joob!

[–] jaydub99 13 years ago

Baxter - William H. Macy
Sheldrake - George Clooney or (too obvious) Jon Hamm
Fran - Maggie Gyllenhaal

[–] mashfan76 13 years ago

Fran - Michelle Williams

"Don't worry so much about supposed to." Armande Voizin

[–] bloefeld2001 13 years ago

Baxter: Steve Carrell, Martin Freeman
Kubelic: Natalie Portman, Kiera Knightley
Sheldrake: George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, John Hamm.

[–] tomfern 13 years ago

Kevin Spacey and Rene Zellweger.

[–] Star_blazer_9000 12 years ago

Danny Huston as Sheldrake

"My god. I'm a tomato"

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] g_dekok 12 years ago

NO. Do NOT remake it, especially with whiny, overpaid, overrated jim carrey