Fred Ward as Robicheaux

[TonySVA]

I think Fred Ward would have been great! I always envisioned Dave R. as the author JLB. But Fred Ward will now be Dave when I reread the books. Good image!

Alec Baldwin and TLJ both brought interesting interpretations of Dave R. TLJ was a little TOO weary (compared to my preconceived interpretation). I could almost hear the director saying "Tommy Lee, you are an alcoholic who has had a hard life!" Yes, but Dave R. has had some blessed moments in his life and those didn't come out. But heck, it is only a movie and there is limited time to get the characters across.

The Latino FBI agent was perfect!!!! And gorgeous!

Mary Steenbergen was not my preconceived notion of Bootsy. I don't know who would be.

The actor playing Murphy Doucet was perfect as well.

Ned Beatty as Twinky was not what I imagined. Probably the Professor out of "Waterboy" with Adam Sandler is more what I was expecting.

Finally, I love John Goodman (esp in "The Big Lebowski"). But not as Julie Balboni. Probably the actor in "Clear and Present Danger" as the drug lord with the baseball bat.

But the problem likes with JLB himself. He does such a marvelous job painting pictures of people that it must be difficult to case his pictures.

Having said all of this, I LOVED the movie!

[leoauthor1970]

Well, now I'm all for Fred Ward. Excellent choice.




And Vincent D'onofrio would be perfect for Clete. He has the look, the physique and the chops.

[mlerc]

Thanks for the pix of Fred Ward. Perfect for Dave although I have heard TL Jones honestly described as having a hidden sorrow that he reflects in his parts, so how he lives now would not be pertinent.

Clete is still a problem as JLB has described him as "leviathon." So the only man that fits that description in my memory is the fat man in "MALTESE FALCON>" Long gone actor, I am sure. I sincerely dislike Vincent D'Onofrio as the scene stealer in the LAW and Order series. I sincerely like John Goodman in everything I have seen him in, and my image of him in KING RALPH would suit as Clete. You are right. Easy for JLB to write Clete as he is not setting him up for an actor to play the part.


Marilyn

[siderussianlegsweep]

Many people over the years have mentioned Fred Ward as a possible actor to play Dave. I've always thought him to be one of the best actors in the business. Coincidentally he played Charles Willeford's protagonist Hoke Mosley in "Miami Blues" and did a fine job.

Best,

Jim

Yes! I loved that movie "Miami Blues" much like I thought the Hoke Moseley series were terrific. Charles Willeford was a top writer who would have been huge if he was writing today.

Peter

[leoauthor1970]

Admittedly, I have not watched a whole lot of Law & Order with Vincent, I have seen several episodes of it however. I never really saw him as a scene stealer, but if he did, it's because his screen presence overshadowed those around him, and/or his character was written better. I'm going through the DR novels again, and I still keep seeing Vince as Clete.


My fave novel is Pegasus Descending. I've been doing some fantasy casting for that one, too. I'll stick with Fred Ward and Vince as the quixotic leads.

I think Denise Crosby would be perfect for Helen Soileau. Just refer back to her brief turn as the unit commander on NYPD Blue, though I don't believe Helen would be quite that militant.

http://www.aphotographix.com/Memorabilia/Denise_Crosby.htm

[crawfishrick]

I am still undecided as to who would play the best Dave. But my vote for Clete would be between Nick Nolte or Brian Dennehy.What do you think?

[leoauthor1970]

I am still undecided as to who would play the best Dave. But my vote for Clete would be between Nick Nolte or Brian Dennehy.What do you think?

At one time, I could have seen Nick Nolte. There's no disputing his talent, but, whatever he's done in his life has taken its toll. He doesn't have near the screen presence he once had. Would I cast him today as Dave? No. But, I DO see him playing a fine Legion Guidry, from Jolie Blon's Bounce.

Brian Dennehy is one of the finest actors out there. Solid with every performance. I know he could pull off Clete, acting the part, just not sure he has the physicality. He's just not...tall enough....I guess. However, they could pull their movie slight of hand tricks and film his scenes with him standing on an elevated surface, like they do for Stallone to make him appear taller in his movies. They did the same for Michael Clarke-Duncan in The Green Mile. He's not nearly that tall in RL.