Casting Call: We pick the stars for next year's 'A-Team' movie

Posted Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 12:09 PM Central

by Tim Briscoe

The big screen version of The A-Team has been scheduled for a June 12, 2009 theatrical release by Twentieth Century Fox. I figured this would be the perfect time to get our casting picks in for the flick.

You remember The A-Team, right? It was a hit action-comedy series for NBC in the '80s. The team consisted of four former U.S. Special Forces soldiers who drove around in a bitchin' black van and fought for the oppressed. The characters were: the cigar-chomping leader John "Hannibal" Smith (played by George Peppard), the suave con man Templeton "Face" Peck (Dirk Benedict), the clinically insane pilot "Howling Mad" Murdock (Dwight Schultz), and -- last but not least -- the heavyweight mechanic B.A. Baracus (Mr. T).

The movie is being directed by John Singleton, the filmmaker who rose to great fanfare with 1991's Boyz N the Hood. He's been struggling to live up to the critical success of that film with movies like Poetic Justice, Higher Learning, Shaft, and 2 Fast 2 Furious. His most recent flick was Four Brothers about mixed "brothers" who avenge the death of their adopted mother. It seems like a great transition into A-Team.

Here are my picks for this updated A-Team. Mr. Singleton, feel free to use any of these choices as you see fit.

Hannibal

Hannibal was the leader and highest-ranking officer. He was older than the rest and a bit of a wise guy. People commenting on various online forums seem to want George Clooney or Mel Gibson. I can definitely see them in the role but I don't think either guy'd do it. I call for none other than Bruce Willis. My runner up would be Tommy Lee Jones.

Face

Face was the con man and the guy who could acquire whatever item they needed. The names being mentioned online include Owen Wilson, Bradley Cooper, and Steve Carell. My choice goes a completely different direction -- Dwayne Johnson, a.k.a. The Rock. He's got suave down pat and has the stagger to play Face. My second choice would be Don Cheadle.

Murdock

The nickname of "Howling Mad" was an understatement when it came to Murdock. He was a sandwich short of a picnic basket. The peanut gallery has mentioned Sam Rockwell, Jim Carrey, Steve Buscemi, Jack Black, and Vince Vaughn. I like each of those choices but, again, I don't see any of them signing on. My pick has made a living out of being Howling Mad. I go for Robin Williams. He's at that point of his career where a supporting role like this is a great fit. (Note to John: Be careful. Keep this guy in check or he'll dominate the movie.) My understudy: Johnny Knoxville.

B.A.

"B.A." may have officially stood for Bad Attitude but it could have also been short for Bad Ass. Internet commenters have identified the usual list of big, imposing black guys like Michael Clarke Duncan, Ving Rhames or even Tiny Lister. I think Ice Cube is the best choice. He helped put Singleton on the map with Boyz N the Hood and now he can bring him the commercial success he's failed to receive. My next-best advice would be to go off-the-wall -- since filling Mr. T's shoes will be no easy task -- and pick Queen Latifah. (Actually, that's not a bad choice.)

As a wise person once said: opinions are like beer cans -- they're easy to crush. Come up with a better roster for the A-Team than mine and send it in to us. We'd love to hear your suggestions.