Cast Introduction: The New Magnificent 7 … plus One

Cast Introduction:
The New Magnificent Seven

As they say: The atmosphere is electric.

But I hate these tuxedo affairs.

DAMN! I just spilt some wine on my boots.

“Oh Hi Mickey”

Rourke. … Everybody is here.

OOP – The lights are going down … better get to my seat.
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“Ladeeeez and Gentlemen!!!”
… announces a disembodied voice:

“Introducing your NEW MAGNIFICENT SEVEN !!!

Generous Applause …
Hopeful enthusiasm … tinged with fear.

Mine.

“Reprising the main role of Chris made famous by Yul Brynner …”

“TOM CRUISE !!!”

Brynner - Cruise

Whoa !!! Tom gets some large appreciation.
No problem.
But his selection was already out of the bag.

Tom take a bow … waves … flashes his famous grin.

“Tom’s role by default”, I’m thinking.
He’s good though. Sometimes great.
But the inevitable comparisons with (Yul Brynner)
It’s tough.

“No matter” I mumble, “I think he’s up to it.”
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Moving along …

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!”

“Reprising the role of Vin Tanner played formerly by Steve McQueen … “

VIGGO MORTENSEN !!!”

Steve McQueen - Viggo Mortenson

I notice people sitting forward in their seats.
Nodding … yeah … YEAH !
Lots of applause … LOTS.
Viggo is popular.

Viggo looks dapper, casual … salutes.

“VIggo as Vin” I say.
(I think I aced that one)

… 5 to go.
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Next …

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!”

“Reprising the role of Britt that was played by James Coburn … “

GUY PEARCE!!!”

James Coburn - Guy Pearce

“OH !”  “I love Guy.” I hear Spielberg’s wife exclaim.
Steven nods. “Yes … yes. That should work very well.”

Guy is welcomed … tanned and grinning.

I feel a swell of growing enthusiasm.

Things seem to be working.

But I’m still sweating.
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Next …

“Ladies and Gentlemen !!!!”

“Reprising the role of Bernardo O’Reilly which was played by the very popular Charles Bronson … “

WILLEN DAFOE!!!”

Charles Bronson - Willem Dafoe
“Holy Crap !!!” I hear Matt Damon shout … rising from his seat …
“This is gonna be one a hell of a movie!
Wish I was in it”

Willem shakes hands with Tom, Viggo, Guy … waves …

“Yaaa !!! Yeahhh !!!” I yell.
I can’t help it.

A lot of people are standing now …
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Next intro …

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!

“Hot, from his role as the Villain in Star Trek ,,, and playing the role of Lee made famous by Robert Vaughn … “

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH !!!”

Vaughn - Cumberbach

*silence* … a gasp or two !!
“Well I’ll be damned !!” says Harrison Ford.
“How the hell did they get him !?”
“Inspired.”

Excited applause arises … Ringing !

Cumberbatch is dapper, unscarved.

… I wasn’t too sure …

“Way to go Ben” !!!
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The next intro …

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!

“Reprising the part of Harry Luck that was played by Brad Dexter … “

BRENDAN FRASER !!!”

Brad Dexter - Brendan Fraser

“Wooo hooo” … I hear Sly yelp. “Nice call!”
“Make it sing Brendan!”

Fraser throws his cowboy hat into the crowd.

“YEAH !! YEAH !!”

I can’t believe it …

It rocks !
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Next intro …

“And now Ladies and Gentlemen!!”

“The last of the Seven … “

“Reprising the role of Chico that was performed by Horst Buchholz … “

AARON PAUL !!!”

Horst Buchholz - Aaron Paul

Aaron runs onto the stage …

The joy is high.

The SEVEN are complete !!

Everybody’s standing now …
OVATION … !!!

The New SEVEN take a bow …
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“And Lastly” … intones the MC, above the din …

… Ladies and Gentlemen …. “

“Reprising the part of the Mexican Bandito Calvera – formerly played by the great Eli Wallach … “

“ANTONIO BANDERAS !!!”

Eli Wallach - Antonio Banderas

“O My …. Goodness !”
shouts Gene Hackman.
“Way to go Tony !!!”

Antonio has his hair slicked back. Looks a bit shy.
… takes a mock poke from Fraser.

Thunderous applause !!!

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All is well.
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“Whew!”

I slump into my chair

“Monsieur JC …?”

I turn.
A waiter hands me a bottle of Canadian Club.
“Complements of Monsieur Cruise.”

The tag reads:

“Mission accomplished”
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I just hope my cheque is in the mail.
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The Magnificent Seven …??? casting Horst Buchholz

Casting Chico … Horst Buchholz

Horst Buchholz

Another tough Casting role … very tough.

I wonder if people really appreciate the acting of Horst Buchholz in The Magnificent Seven? I doubt it.

Here’s a young German actor who comes over here … and does a Mexican Hat Dance, a mock bullfight, handles the romance, the action, some comic relief, and is also brilliant in the several dramatic scenes including the famous ‘audition scene’ with Yul Brynner. Displaying a breadth and depth of emotion throughout the movie.

Pretty heady stuff.

Brynner and Buchholz
Brynner and Buchholz …. renegotiating
Horst Bucholz bullfighter
el toro !
Horst Bucholz and Rosenda Monteros
Horst Bucholz and Rosenda Monteros

Horst Buchholz 3

The Young Bucks

There are a ton of new young male actors on the scene. A ton. There always is, but with the explosion of mass media and mass media entertainment over the last 40 years … there’s more … and more.

So it’s impossible to see everything – and everybody. So I really cant know ALL the people out there. That makes casting Chico difficult. Very difficult.

But there’s no doubt – amongst all these actors – that must be who somebody who is PERFECT for this role.
But who ? where?

I don’t know.

Yet … I have to pick somebody.

???????????????????????????????????????????

The Olden Days

In the 50’s – and more obviously the 60’s – there seemed to be a fad to cast some young buck in a lot of Westerns – whether he was needed or not.

In North to Alaska we had Fabian.

Fabian

In Rio Bravo we had Ricky Nelson,

Ricky Nelson

In El Dorado we had James Caan.

James Caan

In Red River we had Montgomery Clift (but he was needed there).

Mongomery Clift

The list is long. Very long. And certainly was done in more than just Westerns.

Maybe this was a partial spin-off from the Elvis movies ??? I don’t know. But the idea was to attract young people – and the female audience. Particularly in Western Movies which were otherwise perceived to be a Male Domain.

So … we often ended up with a bunch annoying singing and unnecessary smooching … and stuff. Bletch !!

But It musta worked. Cuz they did it a lot. And I think they still are.

Amazingly … some of these young actors went on to have fine careers in the entertainment business. But many just faded into oblivion. (Oblivion is a large black hole somewhere near Hollywood – full of actors).

Anywaaaayyyyy … here we come to The Magnificent Seven … and Horst Buchholz.

What to do?

Casting Chico

Horst Bucholz on watch

Theoretically … Theatrically …

What we are looking for:

Somebody who can play young and reckless. Energy. Ready to prove his manhood.

I’m I not certain that we need to exactly reprise Horst Buchholz’ very fine work – or his role – from the original The Magnificent Seven. Something else – something a bit different – can certainly work.

So …. I looked everywhere. Everywhere.

Latino … Bollywood … Emerging young actors … etc, etc, etc …

It was exhausting.

Eventually …

I went with my gut instincts …… and good taste.

And what I know.

Aaron Paul

Aaron Paul 1

This is going a bit outside of the box too. But Aaron Paul is another actor who is really HOT right now. Or should be, after his brilliant and stunning work as Jesse Pinkman in the equally brilliant Breaking Bad TV series.

Aaron Paul has earned the right to a ‘break out’ role on the Big Screen.
This will provide it.

His work in Breaking Bad leaves us no doubt as to his awesome acting talent.

No, he’s not young (age 34), but appears and appeals as being much younger.

Aaron Paul will do the job – a hell of a job. Whatever you need.

His Awards:

2008–2013 / Breaking Bad / as Jesse Pinkman

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (2010, 2012)
Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television (2010, 2012)
Nominated—Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (2012)
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (2009, 2013)
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film (2010)
Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television (2011)
Nominated—TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Drama (2010)

Go Aaron !

Aaron Paul

Aaron Paul 2Aaron Paul Saturn

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Horst Bucholz 5
How duz a guy get a drink around here ?