In case you haven't heard, a tiny, independent film called "Inception" by a relatively unknown British director named Christopher Nolan begins a very limited rollout on Friday in select cities. Of course, we're totally shitting you and if you've haven't heard of the Leonardo DiCaprio-led mega-blockbuster by now, clearly, you've been living under a rock.
Anyway, the LA Times reports today that in very early stages of the film's production the studio was considering Brad Pitt and Will Smith for the lead role in Nolan's film. The reason? Well, like DiCaprio they have international pull, but they also have a more consistent box office track record. While this is interesting, it's not all that surprising. "Inception" is a high-concept, expensive film not based on an easily-marketable franchise/toy/sports drink and we're sure casting was the subject of many discussions between Nolan and the studio as they figured a way to bring the film in within a reasonable budget, while allowing him to retain his creative vision and ensuring Warner Bros. wouldn't take a bath on the project.
We'll soon see if the gamble will pay off. While buzz around the film has been building thanks to effusive early praise, it remains to be seen if it will connect with the general public. Undoubtedly it will be a success, but whether it's a "Dark Knight"-sized blockbuster or "disappoints" with anything less is anybody's guess. We're just glad Will Smith never got near this thing. Ugh.
7/13/2010
What Could Have Been: Brad Pitt & Will Smith Early Contenders For Lead Role In 'Inception'
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19 comments:
Maybe the studio were wanting a bigger drawing name than DiCaprio but according to the imdb trivia section for Inception, "Leonardo DiCaprio was Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan's only choice for the role of Cobb." I think what Nolan says goes at this point...the studios have no power over him.
$45-55 million opening is my guess. No way it can make "Dark Knight" numbers, it's a) not the franchise character Batman, b) not a sequel to a rebooted franchise that every already knows about c) isn't the last film to star Heath Ledger (ok Parnassus, is actually last, but obviously many more ppl saw 'TDK.'
i would say it would do as much as Despicable Me,($56 million opening), but that has a big kids audience. We'll see...
Well, the studios do have some power over Nolan because they're cutting the checks. I'm sure Nolan/Thomas campaigned for DiCaprio from day one, and are ultimately free to get the cast they want, but certainly WB had their own suggestions. And also, WB is free to expand/reduce budget based on who is in it. You can bet if Will Smith was the lead, they would've been comfortable giving Nolan more cash. Conversely if say, Michael Shannon was the lead, the budget would be about $20 (dollars, not million).
So Christian Bale was never ever considered for the main role? Bummer.
Ummm, whether you like it or not, Will Smith is very popular with the public and your dismissal of him is petty and girlish. Just like your snobbery.
To be honest, I'd have really like to see Will in the lead role.
Brad, not so much.
"Girlish" huh there George? Odd choice of words.
I thought Ken Watanabe was playing the lead role.
Unlike Leo, Will Smith can act.
cirkusfolk - the IMDb trivia section is not a bastion of accuracy. People can pretty much send in anything they want and IMDb will often post it.
As for Smith and Pitt, though, that's almost non-news in the sense that Will Smith is discussed to star as the lead of EVERYTHING, at some point in the process, by someone. Given Nolan's track record, the conversation probably goes something like this:
NOLAN: So I have this original script. There's a lot of action in it but it's a head trip.
WARNERS: Great! As long as we get an A-list actor for a little box office insurance, we'll green-light your movie immediately.
NOLAN: I was thinking maybe DiCaprio.
WARNERS: DiCaprio, Will Smith, Brad Pitt -- they all work for us. We'll send out feelers.
Pitt and DiCaprio have absolutely no range and are generally embarrassing to watch on screen, so why didn't Nolan go with a somewhat more capable performer like Smith? I don't mean to take this route, but I think it highlights a serious problem with Nolan--he cannot cast a black actor in a role that doesn't reek of stereotyping (brute with a heart of gold) or tokenism (Wayne Company CEO) or some combination of the two.
Anyone whose seen Half-Nelson would know that the phenomenal, extremely underrated Anthony Mackie and Shareeka Epps would be perfect for the Inception roles of Leo and the similarly flat Ellen Page. Hell, Mackie's talented Hurt Locker co-star Jeremy Renner would make a better choice than Leo.
Casting one superstar (Leo) instead of another (Pitt) is not "taking a risk" in any tangible sense, so it is a disservice to unfortunately marginalized thespians to pretend it is.
You're so right. Clearly the only thing that prevented Anthony Mackie from being the lead in a $170 million summer blockbuster, based on an original idea, was Christopher Nolan being a racist.
Christopher Nolan should have cast Donald Glover.
Oli, we both know that's a red herring and that problem extends to most ostensible contemporary auteurs. (It might still be helpful to check out some Tim Wise nonetheless.)
Pitt and DiCaprio never sink into their characters and just wander around on screen reminding you they are Pitt and DiCaprio. It's superstardom layered on top of an utter lack of ability, and it is just as jarring as 3D to cinematic immersion.
And I can't believe I talked about Half-Nelson and omitted Gosling, who is also a far more capable actor than Pitt or DiCaprio.
Depp was offered the Cobb role
There are so many things wrong with all these comments, i don't know where to start
In this post Anonymous should be called Ridiculous.
I would disguise who I was if I didn't know what I was talking about either. Anthony Mackie and Shareeka Epps?! Come on! That movie grossed $3 Million. NOBODY saw it! You want Christopher Nolan to put jeopardize his career by placing unproven actors in leading roles?
Get thee to rehab my dear. You have got to be on drugs!
Wait a second...what Will Smith movies prove he's this great actor, and better than Pitt and DiCaprio? Hancock??
cirkusfolk: Pursuit of Happiness, Ali, and Six Degrees of Separation
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