Joanna Hunkin: Casting catastrophes

Joanna Hunkin opinion

By Joanna Hunkin ONE News Entertainment Reporter

Published: 5:25PM Wednesday August 10, 2011 Source: ONE News

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Fantastic. So Hollywood's decided to remake another 80s classic. Dirty Dancing version 2.0 is heading to a big screen near you in the not-too-distant future.

I'm sure it will be magnificent. Just as last year's Karate Kid reboot completely justified and necessary.

One can only imagine who will be asked to fill Patrick Swayze's impossibly tight leather trousers. My money is on Zac Efron, who is a favourite of director Kenny Ortega's - the man behind High School Musical and the original Dirty Dancing choreographer.

But perhaps that's too obvious. Efron has some genuine credentials that would make him suitable for the role, which probably rules him out in the twisted minds of Hollywood executives.

No, they're not interested in pairing skills with requirements. They just want a name to stick on their publicity posters. The biggest star available that will fit their budget.

How else do you explain this?

Anne Hathaway as Emma Morley.

American goodie two-shoes Anne Hathaway as spiky Yorkshire lass Emma Morley.

For those who haven't read David Nicholls' superb novel One Day - you should. It is beautiful and funny and charming and heart breaking.

You will also then realise what a travesty this particular piece of casting is.

Surely, somewhere, on the face of this vast planet, there was someone better suited to play this role than Anne Hathaway? Drippy, annoying, Anne Hathaway.

Just watching the trailer makes me want to throw my phone through the computer screen. What is that accent? Why has she reverted to her Princess Diary dork persona? It truly makes me furious.

I wonder if it's the work of the same genius casting director behind this? Tom Cruise is set to play Jack Reacher in the film adaptation of Lee Child's One Shot.

Jack Reacher is described in the novel as being 6'5" and 250 pounds. Tom Cruise is, well, not. Not even close.

Now, I know that Hollywood is all smoke and mirrors. You'll never even notice by the time they've stuck him on a soap box, hacked off his co-stars' feet and used CGI to bulk him up to human size.

But wouldn't it be just a little bit easier to find someone who actually fits the description?

Wouldn't that be just a slightly more logical answer?
 
No? Fine, I'll be quiet then.

To read more Joanna Hunkin opinion click here.

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  • blindside said on 2011-08-10 @ 19:30 NZDT: Report abusive post

    How about "Captain Corelli's Mandolin "- the edgy Nicolas Cage playing the relaxed and life loving musician and the other Cruze his love interest. Zero chemistry; the casting and silly plot adaption spoilt a great story.

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