Who would you want to star as Dale Barbara in the movie?

[boogerb53]

I think Ethan Hawke would be a good choice.

[clownshooter]

I have to applaud your choices Black Flagg. I can find no fault with them. Others I considered for Mr. Barbara were Clive Owen, Dylan Mcdermott. I like the idea of John Goodman for Big Jimm Rennie however when I read the book, I kept seeing Boss Hogg from the old Dukes of Hazard series. The actor who portrayed Boss Hogg has passed away. Other actors I see for other roles are Steve Buscemi, Anne Heche, and Robert Duvall as Duke Perkins (already suggested). I could see Kristen Stewart as one of the teen girls. I really need to think about this some more.

[Black Flagg]

Hmmm, good choices there boogerb53 & clownshooter.
- Barbie is supposed to be in his early to mid 30s, so Ethan Hawke would be a perfect choice (I think Hawke is a bit older than that, but looks plenty youthful enough).
- Goodman would do well as Big Jim, but the only reason I didn't mention him is because that casting almost feels a little TOO obvious, and I'm not sure if Goodman could portray that level of quiet sustained menace.
- Buscemi would be PERFECT for Chef Bushey (I assume that's who you had in mind for him), as would Duvall for Perkins. I DID picture a younger Kristen Stewart for Noree Calvert too.

Some more casting thoughts...
- Originally, I was thinking Michael Chiklis for Cox, but now I can't get Gary Sinise out of my head.
- I also like Jeremy Renner for Barbie, and I think would be interesting to maybe cast an African-American actor too. It would certainly add another interesting dimension to Rennie's hate for him.
- John C. Reilly could make a nice Rusty.

-

[VegasAngelo]

In the book, wasn't Dale Barbara in his early thirties? To me, that would leave out a lot of the suggestions, no offense. Timothy Olyphant would be my first thought. Then Josh Duhamel.

Yeah, Timothy Olyphant for sure...
And for Rennie I also like John Goodman..

[clownshooter]

Excellent choices once again Black Flagg.

[JayneH]

OK, here's my cast for some of the main characters:

DALE BARBARA - Sam Worthington
BIG JIM RENNIE - Powers Booth (plus a few pounds)
JULIA SHUMWAY - Vera Farmiga
JUNIOR RENNIE - Kellan Lutz
RUSTY EVERETT - Paul Bettany

Hey Black Flagg, I had thought of Sam Worthington too .... he has the right sort of looks for how I imagined Barbie in the book but didnt say him because I had already thought of Stephen Lang as Cox and couldnt have both stars from Avatar in the same movie

But, after seeing the photo of the scrumpcious Paul Walker - have to agree that he would also suit Barbie down to the ground. Dont know why I hadnt thought of him....

Could never imagine Gary Sinese as Cox .... I imagined Cox as quite distinguihed and silvery or grey hair ....
Steve Buscemi as Chef ... another perfect choice

and lastly.... totall agree with Paul Bettany as Rusy - couldnt convince me of anyone else after that suggestion ... he would be PERFECT.....

[mrblonde]

Big Jim … John Goodman
Junior … Ben Foster
Barbie … Jeffery Donnavan
Rusty … Jason Lee
Julia … Bebe Neworth
Carter … Jeremy Renner
The Chef … Clifton Collins Jr.
Andy Sanders … Matthew Frewer
Cox … Brian Cox
Jackie … Katey Sagal
Linda … Rachel Weisz
Andrea … Mimi Rogers
Burpee … Peter Stromare

[Terry B]

Hmmm, good choices there boogerb53 & clownshooter.
- Barbie is supposed to be in his early to mid 30s, so Ethan Hawke would be a perfect choice (I think Hawke is a bit older than that, but looks plenty youthful enough).
- Goodman would do well as Big Jim, but the only reason I didn't mention him is because that casting almost feels a little TOO obvious, and I'm not sure if Goodman could portray that level of quiet sustained menace.
- Buscemi would be PERFECT for Chef Bushey (I assume that's who you had in mind for him), as would Duvall for Perkins. I DID picture a younger Kristen Stewart for Noree Calvert too.

Some more casting thoughts...
- Originally, I was thinking Michael Chiklis for Cox, but now I can't get Gary Sinise out of my head.
- I also like Jeremy Renner for Barbie, and I think would be interesting to maybe cast an African-American actor too. It would certainly add another interesting dimension to Rennie's hate for him.
- John C. Reilly could make a nice Rusty.

-

Did you by any chance see John Goodman in the movie "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" (2000)? Yeah - he's perfect as Big Jim Rennie.

[Black Flagg]

Did you by any chance see John Goodman in the movie "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" (2000)? Yeah - he's perfect as Big Jim Rennie.

I did, but that's why I said "quiet, sustained menace". Goodman's character was pretty over-the-top, and the actor portraying Rennie would have to be able to put forth the impression that this is a man just boiling under the surface...a calculating figure that basically treats the people around him as nuisances. Basically an overweight, small-town Dick Cheney.
I'm not saying Goodman couldn't do it, I just see Boothe's calculating stare and gruff voice as fitting Big Jim.

[Terry B]

I did, but that's why I said "quiet, sustained menace". Goodman's character was pretty over-the-top, and the actor portraying Rennie would have to be able to put forth the impression that this is a man just boiling under the surface...a calculating figure that basically treats the people around him as nuisances. Basically an overweight, small-town Dick Cheney.
I'm not saying Goodman couldn't do it, I just see Boothe's calculating stare and gruff voice as fitting Big Jim.

Basically an overweight, small-town Dick Cheney.

Flagg - you nailed it. Thank you.