Denzel Washington – the Magnificent Seven Equalizer ??
“Oh, hell. If that’s all that’s holding things up, I’ll drive the rig.”
– Yul Brynner / The Magnificent Seven
Wikipedia: September 14, 2015 “The Magnificent Seven is an upcoming American Western directed by Antoine Fuqua, a remake of the 1960 western film of the same name. The film stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Lee Byung-hun, Luke Grimes, Wagner Moura, Haley Bennett, Matt Bomer, and Peter Sarsgaard. Principal photography began on May 18, 2015, in the north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The film is set to be released on September 23, 2016.”
Denzel Washington gets the lead role of Chris formerly played by Yul Brynner in the 1960 film. I consider this to be a rather smart bit of casting. In my mind it completely circumvents the main problem of the remake: who are you going to cast that has enough Star Power who can measure up to Yul Brynner??! By choosing Washington – the black Superstar – for the the part it seems to approach the role from a completely different angle that deflects such judgements. Washington also has enough Star Power and acting chops to pull it off.
Despite having made plenty of Action movies in his career, this will be Washington’s first Western movie.
No trailers as of yet …
But what about the other 6 Sevens??
Well … here they are:
Up to you to figure out who’s playing who … if indeed the former roles have any bearing. I think they will, but …
This is all I know so far.
I’ll try to keep an eye on things and hopefully we’ll have a preview trailer soon.
I still liked my own casting better:
Yul Brynner … TOM CRUISE
Steve McQueen … VIGGO MORTENSEN
James Coburn … GUY PEARCE
Charles Bronson … WILLEN DAFOE
Robert Vaughn … BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH
Brad Dexter … BRENDAN FRASER
Horst Buchholz … AARON PAUL
Eli Wallach … ANTONIO BANDERAS
… onward !!
A Nice bit of casting, hopefully the rest will soon fall in to place then they can get things cameras and the guns shooting
Hey Tim,
It’s been a heck of a thing hasn’t it. First Cruise tried to put it together, but backed out. Then there was a rumor that Tarantino was going to try something. Finally Washington and Fuqua are getting something done. Nobody expects it to be as Epic as the original though. How could it be?
I know that Washington will bring some gravitas to it for sure, so you know its in safe hands.