Michael Keaton would work, definitely. He worked with Steven Soderbergh in Out of Sight, together with Clooney. I thought of that film as a sort of template for this film, it's an underrated comedy noir thriller. I only cast Garcia in that role because I wanted as much of the Oceans 11-13 cast as possible. Because they seem like a fun bunch, and they seem to have fun working together. If anybody outside that gang was needed, they had to have been working with some of them before, and obviously liked working with them. Chemistry is everything. So, yes, Keaton would work.
When I thought about it, I thought that it's either Andy Garcia or Brad Pitt as Albert Graves. And the other one for Dwight Troy. I just thought Pitt would do the Troy part better, so I cast him in that role. I have never really liked Garcia as an actor to begin with, so he's difficult to cast. So, it's either Pitt, Garcia or Keaton as Albert Graves, and Pitt or Garcia as Dwight Troy. If Keaton plays Graves, and Pitt plays Troy, then Garcia is out of this picture? Because I can't find another part for him.
While we're at it, I want to throw in Casey Affleck and Scott Caan as strong arm muscle. And Elliot Gould would be absolutely hilarious as new age hippie con artist Claude. We could switch him for Carl Reiner as Mr Sampson. Is that part even cast at all in the original? The only one I have problems with from the Oceans Eleven cast is Don Cheadle. I don't seem to be able to throw him in anywhere. The sheriffs part? Or is that just reaching too much just because?
The hardest part to cast is Fay Estabrook. Because Shelley Winters could distance herself far enough to play a sultry has-been with enough dignity to be watchable, and I don't think any of todays actors has enough courage or self awareness to take the risk. Shelley Winters was big in her prime, so the actress has to have been big in the 80's-90's, but now become a has-been. Meg Ryan or Jodie Foster? None of them have humor enough.
Sharon Stone, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kim Basinger, they're all too good looking, I don't think they could play it down. Or up. Frances McDormand, maybe. Kim Cattrall would actually work, if she had the guts to play low status. And the actress must still be attractive enough to go with either Pitt or Garcia. I think Cattrall would be perfect, though it really is a difficult part to cast.
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AmericanMovieFan
14 years ago
For Fay Estabrook I'd go with Susan Sarandon or Kathy Bates. And the reason you can't place Don Cheadle is that there were no roles for black people and most of the roles were in fact old white men. If Cheadle fits any role in Harper, it's the man himself- Harper! He'd be an okay re-imagining of the character. Clooney would make a good Harper, but I think you'd need someone with a little less maturity. Pitt would make for a great Harper, though he's probably too old for the role at this point.
I don't think it'd be a terrible idea either if you were to switch out some of the name actors for lesser knowns. For instance, John Michael Higgins would be an inspired choice for Albert Graves. Scott Caan is an interesting choice for Troy, but his muscular physique wouldn't work for a character that is a wanna-be bad ass.
Perhaps someone like Barry Pepper for Troy? I like that, actually. I honestly just thought of it. Pepper is under utilized.
Brian Peppers is my Homeboy
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