Johnny Depp as "The Night Stalker?"

[Rich]

I'm not sure I agree with the casting here. The remade TV series was a
travesty, a complete F/U. As long as they play it straight, it should be
ok, but I've had enough of Depp channelling Keith Richards. McGavin, the
quintissential "Kolchak," did two movies: The Night Stalker about vampires
and The Night Strangler about a man who kills to avoid aging, before he
began the TV series. If Depp's movie works, there could easily be sequels.

http://www.joblo.com/upcomingmovies/2013/the-night-stalker-02

[nick]

It's from Disney too. At one point I would have welcomed Depp being
cast as Kolchak but he's past the sell-by date as far as revisiting
his childhood heroes go. Dark Shadows was the final straw and the new
Lone Ranger doesn't look much better. Nic Cage would make a good
Kolchak but he has a different set of problems right now, least of all
being box office poison, rapidly falling into the direct-to-DVD
world.

[moviePig]

Cage would be better, but I could muster enthusiasm for Depp ...and
this is a role that he could gracefully sail into his 50s. I see DARK
SHADOWS (though I actually didn't) as a Kolchak tune-up ...mercifully
burying, as it were, Jack Sparrow.

--

- - - - - - - -
YOUR taste at work...
http://www.moviepig.com

[Ubiquitous]

no...@nowhere.com wrote:

>I'm not sure I agree with the casting here. The remade TV series was a
>travesty, a complete F/U. As long as they play it straight, it should be
>ok, but I've had enough of Depp channelling Keith Richards. McGavin, the
>quintissential "Kolchak," did two movies: The Night Stalker about vampires
>and The Night Strangler about a man who kills to avoid aging, before he
>began the TV series. If Depp's movie works, there could easily be sequels.

I can see Depp as Kolchek, but it'd be a tough line to follow.
Didn't he play a char like that before?

--
"Re-electing Obama is like backing The Titanic up and hitting the iceberg a
second time."

[Michael OConnor]

I just can't buy Johnny Depp as a crusty newspaper reporter; I think
Steve Buscemi would be perfect as Kolchak. The thing about Kolchak is
that he wasn't exactly bold and fearless, he was somewhat cowardly at
times, and Depp plays such alpha male characters I don't know if he
can do that. William H Macy would also be a great Kolchak, but
(unfortunately) not enough of a name actor to carry a big budget film.

[moviePig]

But Darren McGavin wasn't crusty, his boss Simon Oakland(?) was. Re
Buscemi: too understated, imo. But Macy might be cool. Depp,
however, brings a little credibility to a smattering of action-hero
moves ...obligatory for movies, like it or not.

[Dano]

"moviePig" wrote in message
news:fc3f7c73-3105-4d0a...@h15g2000yqe.googlegroups.com...

====================================

I think Depp will be fine for the role. I also think some are under-rating
his acting chops. Particularly humorous roles...which I consider this to be
really. McGavin's version of the character was pretty funny as I recall. I
also would have liked (though not necessarily preferred) both Buscemi or
Macy for the same reason. Depp has hardly ONLY played "alpha males". I
honestly have no idea how one could ever get that impression of him given
the diverse characters he has portrayed.

[nick]

But this is Disney, so while Buscemi or Macy might make for credible
Kolchaks, even if Depp dropped out of the project it's safe to assume
it's in the realm of "no character actors need apply".

[RichA]

On Nov 18, 9:06 am, Michael OConnor <mpoconn...@aol.com> wrote:

If they are going for the same demeanor, I'd second Macy for the
part. Meanwhile, Hollywood, not learning from the mistake of the TV
remake, will make him a wealthy, dapper ladies man with superhuman
powers.

[nick]

Idris Elba? He's still looking for a franchise after Tyler Perry got
him kicked out of Alex Cross and he's got a few years before Daniel
Craig passes him the Bond mantle.

[Adam H. Kerman]

You forgot the angst.

[BTR1701]

In article
<f6916440-8054-4fa4...@l18g2000vbv.googlegroups.com>,

Yes, I guess it's about time for the typical grievance groups to come
out of the woodwork and demand 'diverse' representation in the Bond role.

We're going to have to have a black Bond. And after that, to be fair,
we're going to have to rotate all other racial and ethnic minorities
into the role-- a Latino Bond, an Asian Bond, etc.-- then a female Bond,
a gay Bond, perhaps a Jewish Bond, a Muslim Bond, and finally a
handicapped Bond.

[Adam H. Kerman]

Bond's been subject to color-blind casting from the start. On television,
he was American (and Leiter was English). In the movies, he was Scottish.
If you're English, Scottish is a different species. Note that quite a few
in the English entertainment establishment stated that he wouldn't have
been believable in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, not that Americans
would have noticed.

[Rich]

BTR1701 <atr...@mac.com> wrote in
news:atropos-D3EF4A...@news-europe.giganews.com:

I see a backlash against that already. Look at how many white Brits and
Aussies are taking parts in American movies and TV. People like the
reminder of their European heritage. They like the idea that they were
once part of a progressive, educated and cultured homogeneous group and
not part of a "melting pot" of disparate cultures.

[anim8rFSK]

In article <atropos-D3EF4A...@news-europe.giganews.com>,

Well, we got several of those in the first theatrical (second filmed)
version of Casino Royale ...

--
"Every time a Kardashian gets a TV show, an angel dies."

[Dano]

"nick" wrote in message
news:f6916440-8054-4fa4...@l18g2000vbv.googlegroups.com...

=============================================

Wow. The complaint one had was that Depp was too "alpha" and you suggest
Idris? Hmmm...Idris vs. Johnny...who prevails in THAT street fight?

The role calls for someone a bit more vulnerable IMO.

[moviePig]

Paul Rudd...

[Invid Fan]

In article <predncjdufh8hzfN...@giganews.com>, Rich

<no...@nowhere.com> wrote:

> BTR1701 <atr...@mac.com> wrote in
> news:atropos-D3EF4A...@news-europe.giganews.com:
>

> I see a backlash against that already. Look at how many white Brits and
> Aussies are taking parts in American movies and TV. People like the
> reminder of their European heritage.

Only if that's your heritage, and for most it's not. I know I don't see
enough Polish on TV or in the movies :)

--
Chris Mack "If we show any weakness, the monsters will get cocky!"
'Invid Fan' - 'Yokai Monsters Along With Ghosts'

[wlah...@gmail.com]

On Monday, November 19, 2012 1:11:49 PM UTC-5, Invid Fan wrote:

> Only if that's your heritage, and for most it's not. I know I don't see
> enough Polish on TV or in the movies :)
>

After Banacek and Stan "Wojo" Wojciehowicz, I think they gave up.

[trotsky]

On 11/19/12 12:11 PM, Invid Fan wrote:
> In article <predncjdufh8hzfN...@giganews.com>, Rich
> <no...@nowhere.com> wrote:
>
>> BTR1701 <atr...@mac.com> wrote in
>> news:atropos-D3EF4A...@news-europe.giganews.com:
>>
>
>> I see a backlash against that already. Look at how many white Brits and
>> Aussies are taking parts in American movies and TV. People like the
>> reminder of their European heritage.
>
> Only if that's your heritage, and for most it's not. I know I don't see
> enough Polish on TV or in the movies :)

If the script calls for them to screw in a light bulb they're screwed.

[moviePig]

On Nov 19, 2:13 pm, trotsky <gmsi...@email.com> wrote:
> On 11/19/12 12:11 PM, Invid Fan wrote:
>

> > In article <predncjdufh8hzfNnZ2dnUVZ_redn...@giganews.com>, Rich
> > <n...@nowhere.com> wrote:
>
> >> BTR1701 <atro...@mac.com> wrote in

> >>news:atropos-D3EF4A...@news-europe.giganews.com:
>
> >> I see a backlash against that already.  Look at how many white Brits and
> >> Aussies are taking parts in American movies and TV.  People like the
> >> reminder of their European heritage.
>
> > Only if that's your heritage, and for most it's not. I know I don't see
> > enough Polish on TV or in the movies :)
>
> If the script calls for them to screw in a light bulb they're screwed.

Q: How many [anything] does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A; Two. The hard part is getting them in there.

[nick]

On Nov 19, 12:36 pm, "Dano" <janeandd...@yahoo.com> wrote:

I was being sarcastic about Idris Elba but giving it a think, it might
work. You make him a washed up ex-athlete with a lame reporting gig
in Las Vegas. Or if he's still too Alpha then there's always Tyler
Perry who might want to rebound from Alex Cross.

My complaint with Depp isn't so much that's he too alpha but he's been
down this road too many times though one has to envy someone who makes
a healthy living revisiting his childhood enthusiams.

[Remysun]

On Nov 19, 6:41 am, Rich <n...@nowhere.com> wrote:

> I see a backlash against that already.  Look at how many white Brits and
> Aussies are taking parts in American movies and TV.  People like the
> reminder of their European heritage.  They like the idea that they were
> once part of a progressive, educated and cultured homogeneous group and
> not part of a "melting pot" of disparate cultures.

That's not it at all. Talent is rare, and especially if they can lose
their accents at will, like Simon Baker and Hugh Laurie, they are
proven overseas commodities that are unknown to American audiences,
which is perfect for a television show because there's no baggage
carried over from any previous role.

[Adam H. Kerman]

Remysun <remys...@yahoo.com> wrote:

>That's not it at all. Talent is rare, and especially if they can lose
>their accents at will, like Simon Baker and Hugh Laurie, they are
>proven overseas commodities that are unknown to American audiences,
>which is perfect for a television show because there's no baggage
>carried over from any previous role.

You must be talking about some other Simon Baker.

[suzeeq]

Lewis wrote:
> In message <k8fddg$68f$4...@news.albasani.net>

> Simon Baker does not have an australian accent on The Mentalist, and
> sounds completely American. The only thing you might say is that he has
> an educated American accent, but that is in keeping with his character.

Lately I've been noticing a nonAmerican accent creeping in. On some
words, not all of them, but it's there.

[Adam H. Kerman]

suzeeq <su...@imbris.com> wrote:

It's the way he is. He can't do an accent for any lengthy period of time.
It's extremely noticeable and off putting. I'd enjoy his performance a
lot more if he used his natural speaking voice and I merely suspended
disbelief that he wasn't from California.

His ability to do an accent is the worst of any Australian acting in
an American television production.

[anim8rFSK]

In article <k8h31n$b3$3...@news.albasani.net>,

Worse than McCarrot?

[Adam H. Kerman]

anim8rFSK <anim...@cox.net> wrote:
>"Adam H. Kerman" <a...@chinet.com> wrote:
>>suzeeq <su...@imbris.com> wrote:
>>>Lewis wrote:
>>>>Adam H. Kerman <a...@chinet.com> wrote:
>>>>>Remysun <remys...@yahoo.com> wrote:

>>>>>>That's not it at all. Talent is rare, and especially if they can lose
>>>>>>their accents at will, like Simon Baker and Hugh Laurie, they are
>>>>>>proven overseas commodities that are unknown to American audiences,
>>>>>>which is perfect for a television show because there's no baggage
>>>>>>carried over from any previous role.

>>>>>You must be talking about some other Simon Baker.

>>>>Simon Baker does not have an australian accent on The Mentalist, and
>>>>sounds completely American. The only thing you might say is that he has
>>>>an educated American accent, but that is in keeping with his character.

>>>Lately I've been noticing a nonAmerican accent creeping in. On some
>>>words, not all of them, but it's there.

>>It's the way he is. He can't do an accent for any lengthy period of time.
>>It's extremely noticeable and off putting. I'd enjoy his performance a
>>lot more if he used his natural speaking voice and I merely suspended
>>disbelief that he wasn't from California.

>>His ability to do an accent is the worst of any Australian acting in
>>an American television production.

>Worse than McCarrot?

I'm not that generous with the word "actor".

[Remysun]

On Nov 20, 6:17 pm, "Adam H. Kerman" <a...@chinet.com> wrote:

> It's the way he is. He can't do an accent for any lengthy period of time.
> It's extremely noticeable and off putting. I'd enjoy his performance a
> lot more if he used his natural speaking voice and I merely suspended
> disbelief that he wasn't from California.
>
> His ability to do an accent is the worst of any Australian acting in
> an American television production.

My measure is the Crocodile Dundee voiceover, "Stay tuned for scenes
from our next episode." Quite impressive how much of that goes away
during the show.

[suzeeq]

It really shows through on words like 'our', 'out' and others with
similar sounds.

[Adam H. Kerman]

If he could at least make it till the end of the line without losing
the accent, it would be a lot less aggravating.

[anim8rFSK]

In article <k8hf6g$cmm$3...@news.albasani.net>,

Fair point.

[suzeeq]

Lewis wrote:
> In message <k8hot5$94p$1...@dont-email.me>

> My kids watch The Mentalist. They have no idea "Jane" is not an American.

Neither is Rigsby, Owain Yeoman. He's English/Welsh and hasn't got a
trace of an accent. I was blown away when I found out last year.

[BTR1701]

In article <anim8rfsk-FB778...@news.easynews.com>,

McCarrott may be a terrible actor in most respects, but he's actually
quite good with the accent, at least on 5.1, which is the only show in
which I've ever seen him. If you didn't know he was a ferriner, you
wouldn't know it from just watching him on 5.1.

[BTR1701]

On Nov 20, 6:17 pm, "Adam H. Kerman" <a...@chinet.com> wrote:

> It's the way he is. He can't do an accent for any lengthy
> period of time.

Just like Marina Sirtis on TNG. For some reason the Betazoid counselor
became more and more British with each passing season.

[anim8rFSK]

In article <atropos-A4E567...@news-europe.giganews.com>,

He was awful on MOONLIGHT, and once you hear him doing a bad American
accent, it's hard to shake.

[Invid Fan]

In article <k8iks7$mfu$1...@dont-email.me>, suzeeq <su...@imbris.com>
wrote:

I was blown away when I discovered the Doctor Who companion "Peri" was
NOT a horrible actress, but had been trying and failing to do an
American accent. She can actual talk properly if she wants!