Who Should Star in Harvey?

28 Comments

• | Reply

• happyinca | August 29, 2009 9:53 AMReply

  Hugh Laurie said in a live Web chat last week that he would love to play Harvey. Anybody got Spielberg's number? Get those two on the phone right away!

• here | August 28, 2009 4:39 AMReply

  Hugh Laurie.He would be brillant,just brillant!

• rbrown205 | August 28, 2009 3:04 AMReply

  Hugh Laurie would do it magnificently. There are few people who could immerse themselves into a role that they are excited about as does Hugh.
  He is a master of wordless communication - I could see in his face the strange combination of sad wisdom and independent madness that portraying Dowd would require.

• downhomedon | August 26, 2009 5:55 AMReply

  I think Harrison Ford or Richard Dreyfuss could have done this role a great service fifteen years ago. Today, my choice would probably be a woman and I'd vote for Emma Thompson or Cate Blanchett. For box office draw, apart from the men on your list, I suppose you could get Tobey Maguire or Christian Bale.

• Kim Irwin Dildine | August 26, 2009 3:17 AMReply

  I could play the part, but seeing as it's show "business", they'll pick a "box office draw" to play the lead. Maybe I could be Doctor Chumley.

• theres | August 25, 2009 10:22 AMReply

  paolo nuitini, have you seen his video? his interaction with the giant rabbit?

• jl | August 19, 2009 1:52 AMReply

  mos def?

• Tom O. | August 19, 2009 1:40 AMReply

  I would say Will Ferrell, after seeing him in Stranger than Fiction

• rgm | August 18, 2009 12:08 PMReply

  Harvey is a pooka. He would not box

• Griff | August 18, 2009 11:29 AMReply

  Hugh Laurie.

• Terry | August 18, 2009 10:27 AMReply

  There is no choice like "none of the above". I say Hugh Jackman. If Spielberg wants to do a new version, not a remake, he needs someone completely different from James Stewart and also someone who is a great actor AND has experience from stage since this is more like a stage play. Hugh is a fantastic stage actor.

• Brian | August 18, 2009 9:26 AMReply

  Mickey Rourke.
  
  Or Jason Statham. Then they can add some martial arts to it. What a great fight you can stage with an invisible Harvey.

• nosygirl | August 18, 2009 9:04 AMReply

  John Krasinski from The Office is the only choice.

• Maurizio | August 18, 2009 8:22 AMReply

  While it's very likely a top star will be chosen, I hope Spielberg will have the guts to cast a very good actor independently from his bankability.
  
  My ideal pick would be Paul Giamatti.

• moviefan | August 18, 2009 7:05 AMReply

  I also like Mark Ruffalo. He may not be a huge B.O. draw but he's always excellent and I think he'd do a great job as Elwood.

• rgm | August 18, 2009 7:00 AMReply

  When he played Elwood P. Dowd, Stewart was a youthful 42, and brought to that role the genial demeanor of a holy innocent. Whoever plays him today, needs to say (without echoing Forrest Gump ) "Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" - she always called me Elwood - "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me." Playing smart is a snap for an actor, but doing pleasant straight-faced? When a pretty sales girl asks Elwood "What can I do for you, Mr. Dowd?" He says, "What did you have in mind?" The role calls for someone who can give that ( deliberately-written salacious ) reply without innuendo. Not easy. There is a plot against Elwood and we are rooting for him -- only gradually does it occur to us that the man may be moving happily, aware always, and genial to a fault, but in a slight alcoholic bliss. Who, today, can bring all this off. I don't know. Spacey might, playing against type, but he's getting mature. Cage too. The others polled, we know almost too well to suspend disbelief.

• Javier | August 18, 2009 4:27 AMReply

  Will Ferrell, Will Ferrell, Will Ferrell!!!!!!

• Ben | August 18, 2009 3:23 AMReply

  Sacha Baron Cohen or Steve Carell.

• Scot B | August 18, 2009 3:17 AMReply

  Kevin Spacey would be my choice.

• Nancy | August 18, 2009 2:43 AMReply

  Hugh Jackman would be fabulous.

• Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist! | August 18, 2009 2:24 AMReply

  Hell NO to the remake. I never saw how Tom Hanks is similar to James Stewart. Stewart could ACT, unlike Tom Hanks.
  
  pass!

• Ryan Sartor | August 18, 2009 2:20 AMReply

  Whom do you suggest rgm?
  
  I'd say Ryan Gosling if he hadn't done "Lars and the Real Girl."

• Crow T Robot | August 18, 2009 1:51 AMReply

  Javier Bardem is about halfway on the path to super-stardom. He does comedy and drama with a Tom Hanks level of ease. The audiences who have seen him love him the way they love Clooney. One more right role in the right movie will seal the deal. Spielberg should consider him.

• jl | August 18, 2009 1:40 AMReply

  how about
  
  ed norton?
  mark ruffalo?

• Sarah | August 18, 2009 1:35 AMReply

  John Krasinski

• brad o. | August 18, 2009 1:22 AMReply

  I vote for John C. Reilly. I think he'd be perfect.

• Charles J | August 18, 2009 1:13 AMReply

  How about Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
  
  Why does it have to be man in the role? Why not Anna Faris?

• rgm | August 17, 2009 12:17 PMReply

  None of the above. You had better watch that movie again, Anne