Retro-Casting The French Dispatch In The 1990s

If the film was made in the 90s, the cast could have included legends like Gene Hackman and younger versions of well-known actors like Tobey Maguire

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Director Wes Anderson has developed a reputation for making highly stylized films that reuse many big-name actors from his previous work. His newest movie, The French Dispatch, continues this trend and even goes a step further by featuring one of his biggest ensemble casts ever in an anthology-style story.

However, if The French Dispatch has been made in the 1990s, the cast could have looked very different. Because of Anderson’s tendency to cast actors he has previously worked with, some staples like Bill Murray would have found their way into the film but in different roles. It also would have given Anderson the opportunity to cast actors who either are no longer working, such as Gene Hackman, or who are no longer the appropriate age for roles, such as Tobey Maguire as a student.

Whoopi Goldberg As The Narrator

The French Dispatch is narrated by veteran actress Anjelica Huston. She is a frequent collaborator of Anderson’s, having appeared in many of his films. Her deliberate delivery and distinct speech pattern fit the tone of the film and imbue every scene she narrates with a sense of gravitas.

In the ’90s, actress Whoopi Goldberg would have been the perfect choice to narrate the movie as she has one of the recognizable voices in Hollywood and has the range to convey both the dramatic and comedic beats of the story.

Bill Murray As Herbsaint Sazerac

Played by Owen Wilson, Herbsaint Sazerac is one of the staff members at the titular newspaper. After the passing of Arthur Howitzer Jr., he is one of the people left to pick up the pieces and publish the final issue of the paper.

If the film had been made in the ’90s, Anderson would have likely been looking for a role for frequent collaborator Bill Murray. Several of Murray’s best films came out in this decade and with his star power, he would be the ideal candidate to slide in and play the part as one of the characters that ties the film together rather than playing someone in one of the individual stories.

Geena Davis As Lucinda Krementz

Played by Frances McDormand, Lucinda Krementz is a writer for The French Dispatch who covers the student protests in Ennui known as the “Chessboard Revolution.” During her reporting, she develops a close relationship with Zeffirelli.

In the late ’80s and early ’90s, Geena Davis proved her versatility and looked equally comfortable in comedies and dramas, racking up multiple hits and Oscar nominations. Because of this, would be able to bring the acting ability and comedic chops needed to carry a segment of the film as Lucinda.

Jeff Goldblum As Moses Rosenthaler

Moses Rosenthaler, one of the central figures of the segment titled “The Concrete Masterpiece,” is an artist and convicted murderer who produces artwork in prison and gets caught up with a shady art dealer. He is played by Benecio del Toro, who captures the tortured artist persona with his own unique flair.

Another actor capable of playing an artist with a dark side is frequent Anderson collaborator Jeff Goldblum. After appearing in several of the best sci-fi movies of the ’90s, Goldblum cemented himself as a charismatic star with a one-of-a-kind delivery. He could have brought this depth and swagger to the role of Moses Rosenthaler and taken the character in an enthralling direction.

Morgan Freeman As Roebuck Wright

Actor Jeffery Wright brings a certain air of intelligence and depth to all of the characters he plays and the role of Roebuck Wright is no different. The character is a food journalist who inadvertently gets involved in a hostage situation after attending a dinner party that goes wrong.

Few actors can bring weight and respectability to a role like Morgan Freeman can. Some of Freeman’s best roles came in the ’90s and he developed a reputation for playing characters similar to Roebuck Wright. Freeman has also demonstrated the ability to do comedy and would be able to portray both the humor and drama of the situation as his character gets caught up in a kidnapping.

Tobey Maguire As Zeffirelli

Despite his relatively young age, Timothée Chalamet has already established himself as a talented actor who can handle heavy dramas and indie comedies. In The French Dispatch, he plays student protestor Zeffirelli, who is involved with the “Chessboard Revolution” and develops a romantic relationship with Lucinda.

In the ’90s, Tobey Maguire was around the same age as Chalamet and had enjoyed some success with films such as Pleasantville and The Cider House Rules. His work since then has further proven his talent and he would have been the ideal choice to take on the role and serve as the face for the revolution in the film.

Kate Winslet As Simone

Simone is a key character in the segment centered around Moses as she serves as the inspiration for his work. In the film, she is played by Léa Seydoux, who expertly toes the line between over-the-top and magnetic.

Kate Winslet’s best role came in the ’90s as Rose in Titanic, immediately establishing her as a powerhouse actress capable of carrying a film. She is a captivating performer who can easily pull off the role of a muse who catches an artist’s eye.

Don Cheadle As Julien Cadazio

In the segment “The Concrete Masterpiece,” Adrien Brody plays Julien Cadazio, a shady art dealer who sells Moses’ painting and tries to pressure him into creating more. Brody has become a staple of Anderson’s films and he is a great choice to bring the shifty character to life.

While he would certainly play the character differently, Don Cheadle in the ’90s could have done something equally interesting and entertaining. As seen in films like Boogie Nights, Cheadle is always compelling and has proven that he can portray charismatic criminals with ease.

Jean Reno As The Commissaire

In the final segment of the film, the Commissaire hosts food journalist Roebuck Wright for a dinner party, but the evening is disrupted by the news that his son has been kidnapped. The character is played by French actor Mathieu Amalric.

In the ’90s, the go-to casting choice for a French policeman in a film like this would have been Jean Reno. The Léon: The Professional and Mission: Impossible star would have been able to step in and effortlessly be believable as both a notable police officer and a concerned father.

Gene Hackman As Arthur Howitzer Jr.

At the center of The French Dispatch, holding the anthology-style film together is the life and death of Arthur Howitzer Jr. His larger-than-life legacy and persona have to carry enough weight and cast a large enough shadow to bring the whole movie together. Because of this, legendary actor Bill Murray is the perfect choice for the character.

But if the film had been made in the ’90s, when Murray was in a much different stage of his career, Gene Hackman could have taken on the role. As one of the most accomplished and respected actors ever, Hackman would have been able to bring the weight necessary to play the film’s elder statesman.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/french-dispatch-retro-casting-nineties-actors/