Rod Taylor remakes: Casting call
In mid-2004, I put out a call for fellow fans to suggest actors they'd cast in re-makes of Rod Taylor movies. Specifically, the questions were:
- If any of Rod Taylor's movies were to be re-made today, who would you cast in Rod's role?
- Who would be his co-star?
- Would you give Rod a cameo appearance?
I received several creative replies, and thought I would have some fun with the concept by making this special page. Following is a compilation of fans' suggestions and comments, along with a few of my own.
DARK OF THE SUN
Fans say:
- Russell Crowe and Laurence Fishburne
- Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts
One fan pointed out that there already has been somewhat of a remake of DARK OF THE
SUN -- a movie called TEARS OF THE SUN: "It featured Bruce Willis in Rod Taylor's role and
Monica Bellucci in Yvette Mimieux's role. There were many
similarities. Like DARK OF THE SUN, it is a story about courage and sacrifice. I think Rod would have been excellent in the movie if he could have played Captain Rhodes, Bruce Willis' military commander, the part played by Tom
Skerritt. As for an actual, direct remake of DARK OF THE SUN, Russell Crowe would be good as Captain Curry, Rod's part, and Nicole Kidman could play Yvette Mimieux's role. And this time Rod could play the alcoholic doctor on the mission, the part played by Kenneth More in the original."
SUNDAY IN NEW YORK
Fans say:
- Kevin Kline and Cameron Diaz
- George Clooney and Julia Roberts (Diane says... oh yes! Good casting!)
THE GLASS BOTTOM BOAT
Fans
say:
- Matthew McConaughey and Cameron Diaz
- Ralph Fiennes
- Greg Kinnear and Renee Zellweger
(Diane says... I really, really like Greg Kinnear, so thanks go to this
fan for suggesting him in a Rod role. I wouldn't have thought of him as a RT
"type," but he does have that serious-but-silly quality about him
that would be especially good for this role. Not to mention some of the prime
physical attributes.)
THE BIRDS
Fans say:
- Harrison Ford -- "If it was made 15 years ago"
- Sean Connery and Grace Kelly
- Hugh Jackman and Naomi Watts. "And this time, instead of an eccentric old lady who is an expert on birds being trapped with everyone in the diner, it could be an eccentric old man who is a bird expert. And this role could be played by... Rod Taylor." (Diane says.... brilliant!)
HOTEL
Fans say:
- George Clooney and Nicole Kidman
- Tom Hanks, with Rod in the Melvyn Douglas part
(Diane says... The latter is an inspired casting!)
THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
Fans say: Hugh Jackman
YOUNG CASSIDY
Fans say: Brad Pitt
(Diane says: How about giving it to an Irishman this time around? Pierce Brosnan. And as Cassidy's love interests -- Kate Winslet as Daisy and Nicole Kidman as Nora. The latter selected perhaps only to maintain the tradition of an Aussie playing Irish in this movie! And Rod could have the Michael Redgrave role of Yeats.)
THE LIQUDATOR
Fans say:
- Russell Crowe
- Sean Connery and Goldie Hawn (Diane says ... ah yes, turnabout is fair play: Connery gets this role and Rod coulda, shoulda been Bond, James Bond.)
DARKER THAN AMBER
Fans say:
- Russell Crowe and Jennifer Anniston
- Russell Crowe ... "and an actual Eurasian actress, like Lucy Liu, could play Vangie, since in the book she is supposed to be an Eurasian woman. Rod, of course, could now play Meyer."
(Diane says: I may actually have to agree, even though Crowe's a bit too
surly for my tastes. But he is a magnificent actor, he's from Down Under like
Rod, and anything he'd be in would have a big budget -- finally doing justice
to a Travis McGee tale. A sentimental pick for this role would be Lee Tergesen.
He'd probably need bulk up a bit to play Trav, but John D. MacDonald seemed to
have him in mind in countless other of his non-McGee mystery novels --
describing a lean, sandy-haired, six-footer with clear blue eyes. Tergesen is
rather un-Rod-like, too, but only physically. Loke Rod, he's an all-around actor
who's doesn't get the exposure and recognition he is due.)
THE MAN WHO HAD POWER OVER WOMEN
Fans say:
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones -- "especially pre-marriage."
THE TIME MACHINE
A fan had this to say about the actual remake of THE TIME MACHINE, with Guy
Pearce: "While it may not have been the worst movie of all time, I think it could be a contender for the second or third worst movie of all time.
"If they had done an actual, legitimate remake, Rod would have been great playing one of the older friends of George at the beginning and end of the
movie. Dougray Scott could play George, and Milla Jovovich could play Yvette Mimieux's part."
(Diane says... I must admit that I'd never heard of Dougray Scott before this fan's suggestion, but when I found this photo of him, I'm tempted to agree on the casting.)
36 HOURS
Fans say:
- Sean Penn
- Tom Hanks and Charlize Theron
POWDER KEG/BEARCATS!
Fans say:
- Mel Gibson and Owen Wilson.
- "Bryan Brown could play Rod's part, and someone like Heath Ledger or David Boreanaz could play Dennis Cole's part. Rod would be in it as the technical advisor for the team's adventures."
DIANE'S PICKS
Your Webmistress really tried to resist the temptation to cast George Clooney in every Rod Taylor role. Ditto Mel Gibson.
But the truth is that the two of them have that Taylor-esque swagger and sense of humor that could carry them through the gamut of drama, action and romantic comedy that Rod dished out during the 1960s.
Now, on to my re-makes. Here are just a few suggestions.
Mel Gibson -- OK, so my vow not to cast him in every Rod role didn't go very far. But you gotta admit, he's perfect.
Samuel L. Jackson -- He gets my nod for the Jim Brown role as a reward for once saying that Rod Taylor was one of his favorite actors.
Charlize Theron -- She's blonde, exotic and from the right continent!
Alec Baldwin: I was going to cast him in DARK OF THE SUN -- until I saw this photo:
He's a natural as Boysie Oakes. And Rod could have the Mostyn role.
Christopher Meloni: He's tough-and-tender and certainly could pull off the damaged-soul attitude of Brynie McKay. Although not quite a fit for RT, I cast him primarily for the remarkable chemistry he'd have with his co-star in my production...
Lee Tergesen: Mike lives.
Catherine Zeta-Jones: She's curvy and glamorous enough for the Claudia Cardinale role. But is she really necessary in my remake? Hmmm.
I hope everyone has had fun! Let me know if you have any further ideas, comments, agreements, disagreements, etc.
You can e-mail me -- Diane -- or use the Guestbook: