Who would you cast in a live-action Futurama?

[on:]

So I stumbled upon this article today at work asking who would you cast in a live action Futurama? Some of the choices may surprise you.. like Andy Samberg as Fry?? I thought it was interesting, but regardless, check this out

http://www.bite.ca/bitedaily/2011/09/who-would-you-cast-live-action-futurama/

[Reply #1 on:]

No one... it's a horrible, horrible idea.  But since I don't want to be a party pooper, I'll cast...

Fry: This is a hard one.  Someone cute, but not drop dead Hollywood handsome.  A boy next door type.  

Leela: I would say Cherlize Theron if she was a bit younger.  She's one of the few actresses today I think of as being as talented as she is beautiful.  Plus they could easily tone down her appearance, so Leela is still attractive without being drop dead gorgeous.

Amy: Katie Leung.  

Bender: John DiMaggio should certainly supply the voice.

Zoidberg: Again, since this is a cgi thing, Billy West should supply the voice.

Mom: Miranda Richardson?  Joanna Lumley? Now that I think about it, Lumley would make a fantastic Mom. Just give her a heart shaped beehive, and some really venomous one liners, and she will be good to go.

[Reply #2 on:]

Farnsworth > Christopher Lloyd
Zapp Branigan > Danny McBride or Kevin James (The first one's acting with the second one's appearance would be great )
Amy > Christina Hendricks

Show spoiler

(this is a reference to SpaceGoldFish, who once complained that -in a live action Futurama movie- Amy would probably be a white actress with huge knockers, but who would hardly speak a word

Mom > Glenn Close
Whale Biologist > Tachyon

[Reply #3 on:]

Christina Hendricks?  She's not even asian!

Glenn Close sounds like a good idea though. 

[Reply #4 on:]

Christina Hendricks?  She's not even asian!

Glenn Close sounds like a good idea though. 

Funny thing that especially YOU did not open the spoiler

[Reply #5 on:]

Sometimes I am too nerdragey for my own good.  At least I didn't put it in caps!

Besides it's hard keeping track of my own brilliance, since there is so much of it. 

[Reply #6 on:]

Joanna Lumley as Mom would be perfect. Charlize Theron is a great choice for Leela too. John DiMaggio should definitely stay as the voice for Bender. Same for Billy West with characters that can be CGI animated.

As for Fry... that's probably the most difficult to hypothetically cast. You may even have to go all over America to discover someone who fits the bill, because I can't think of any known actor that could portray him.

[Reply #7 on:]

They shouldn't do it. Ever.

But if they did, I'd prefer it if they got crappy actors to do it so I could be sure that better ones didn't have their talents wasted on shit.

[Reply #8 on:]

They shouldn't do it. Ever.

Hm....I am not so sure about it.
Folks were sceptical about Futurama being able to work as "niche-sitcom". Yet it was liked for doing something that has not been done before (I will count out "Jetsons" on this one), and was expected not to work.
A RL Futurama movie might just be the kind of "that will never work" stuff that can turn out to be surprisingly good. (Of course, it can also suck. I am just sceptical about the idea of an "auto-failure")

[Reply #9 on:]

Fry - Michael J. Fox
The Professor - Christopher Lloyd
Leela - Lea Thompson   
Dr. Zoidberg - Crispin Glover
Zapp Brannigan - Thomas F. Wilson
Amy - Claudia Wells
Hermes - Marc McClure
Bender - CGI, voiced by Charles L. Campbell

[Reply #10 on:]

Zapp Brannigan - Thomas F. Wilson

Okay...: ^That is a brillant suggestion.

Fry: Simon Pegg

[Reply #11 on:]

Fry - Michael J. Fox
[etc]

Naw, a movie featuring a time-traveling silver car would work better for these actors.

[Reply #12 on:]

Both Fry and Marty are used to interact with their female ancestors. So, let's just paint the Spaceship silver, and there won't be much of a difference any more...

[Reply #13 on:]

Nobody else thinks Jesse Eisenberg would be a good Fry?

[Reply #14 on:]

No.  I think he's adorable, and I spent most of the Social Network muttering: "Kiss Andrew Garfield.  Kiss Andrew Garfield. KISS ANDREW GARFIELD."  He doesn't really feel like he would be a good Fry.  I don't think anyone in Hollywood today feels like they would make a good Fry, this is one of the roles they should give to an unknown. 

I mean I did toy with Rupert Grint, who is my favourite non-fictional redhead, but again, he wouldn't feel right as  Fry.   

[Reply #15 on:]

I can think of candidates for some of the characters, but it just wouldn't work for me without the proper voices.  Maybe.  I don't know.

I agree that none of them could be played by famous, well known actors because that would distance them even further from their intended characters.

[Reply #16 on:]

I think some can, and some can't.  You have to have a mix, and make sure the right actors go to the right roles.  Fry for instance, would have to be an unknown.  Maybe Leela as well. 

I think if side characters were played by well known actors, that would be good.  I still think Joanna Lumley would make an excellent Mom.

[Reply #17 on:]

As I suggested Simon Pegg as Fry, somehow I just feel the need to find a proper role for Nick Frost.
Unfortunately, I cannot think of an appropriate character. Anyone got an ideas?

Otherwise:

Thog : Jessica Simpson (BEFORE her diet )
Ethan "Bubblegum" Tate: Any famous basketball player willing to do a cameo
URL: Voiced by Chris Rock
PoB Heavyweight Leela: Roseanna Barr
Wernstrom: Alan Rickman
Leela: Beth Phoenix would have the perfect face for "one eye CGI" effects. The cheekbones are just a very little tad strange. Together with the one eye, they would create a slighty creepy/weird look, but still human enough. Yet, Beth is too buffed for Leela. But using a camera on her reduced the width would create a perfect impression.
Okay, but that would be a lot of CGI effect, just to get some woman to look like Leela. Without bothering about things like acting talent, etc....

[Reply #18 on:]

Nick Frost could pull off Sal.

[Reply #19 on:]

Nick Frost could pull off Sal.

EXCELLENT!!! Good man..erm...boy

[Reply #20 on:]

I can't believe there isn't a single actor out there that could hypothetically be a decent Fry. Zach Braff?

Leela: Beth Phoenix would have the perfect face for "one eye CGI" effects. The cheekbones are just a very little tad strange. Together with the one eye, they would create a slighty creepy/weird look, but still human enough. Yet, Beth is too buffed for Leela. But using a camera on her reduced the width would create a perfect impression.
Okay, but that would be a lot of CGI effect, just to get some woman to look like Leela. Without bothering about things like acting talent, etc....

I actually think Beth is the perfect size to play Leela. I mean, if someone was going to play Leela convincingly, they'd have to look like she could kick your ass. None of this 5 foot matchstick-armed women throwing guys around like they're made of styrofoam like we see in a lot of action films. So while I agree with your Beth pick, she would need to act well. Leela's probably the character where it would be most neccessary for her to be able to act, since she can't make up for it by being funny.

[Reply #21 on:]

I originally said Angelina Jolie would make a good Leela, but now I actually think Cobie Smulders would be pretty good. Also Maggie Smith would make a brilliant Mom. He's dead now but I thought the actor Hume Cronyn (http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3071446528/nm0002025) would have made a good looking professor.

[Reply #22 on:]

Kim Kardashian would probably be excellent as Petunia.

[Reply #23 on:]

Phil Hartman would have made the perfect Zapp Brannigan, both voice and appearance.

[Reply #24 on:]

Just found this... but she's not quite asian enough x]

[Reply #25 on:]

Still hot.

[Reply #26 on:]

Did she have Asian-reduction surgery in addition to cuteness reduction, TLF?

[Reply #27 on:]

Will Poulter for Cubert?

[Reply #28 on:]

I'm still going to push for Katie Leung for Amy.  I think Amy having an inexplicable Scottish accent would be hilarious, considering how much Amy's valley girl accent sounds absolutely nothing like her atrocious "no ticky no washie" accents, despite being raised in the exact same environment as them.   I've also seen her on stage, and she's very talented.  And I have a massive girl-crush on her, so that helps.

By the way, what do you think Amy's hair would look like in the real world?  I would say after Bart and Lisa's hairstyle, hers is the most difficult to picture realistically.  If any of you own the Amy Toynami figurine, the hair looks more like blocks of lego or pinapple chunks then anything resembling hair.

[Reply #29 on:]

By the way, what do you think Amy's hair would look like in the real world? 

Vika made a imhO very good approach:

http://www.peelified.com/index.php?topic=22084.msg1266902#msg1266902

[Reply #30 on:]

That's pretty good actually.  I can't really see Amy's mutant pineapple hair looking cute in the real world, so seeing it toned down and feminized a bit would suit whoever gets cast as Amy. Their Leela is also very good.  Normally, I find Leela stops being cute/beautiful and starts to get steadily more terrifying in more realistic artstyles, but that was handled very nicely. It's the sweet spot.  Once she gets a tear duct, it all starts to go downhill. 

[Reply #31 on:]

I definitely appreciate everyone's feedback for sure. The idea behind this thread isn't if they should have a live action futurama, but if they did, who would you love to see casted? I enjoy the idea, personally, of Andy Samberg playing Fry (( I'm obviously a fan of The Lonely Island )), and even Will Farrell playing a good Zapp. (( Farrell was awesome in Zoolander as Mugatu! ))

[Reply #32 on:]

Did she have Asian-reduction surgery in addition to cuteness reduction, TLF?

Quite possibly xD

[Reply #33 on:]

I like the Christopher Loyd idea lol from his roles in Taxi and Back to the Future, we know he can play crazy and smart to be Farnsworth.  George Carlin would have been another great choice to play Farnsworth as well, but ....  The head jars leave the movie open for countless cameos...yeah, plenty.  For Zapp...I like the idea of Will Farrell.  Between the many egotistical/emotional/clueless characters that hes played and the shameless demeanor about him, I think that would work out great. 

[Reply #34 on:]

Will Farell as Zapp is actually a great idea

[Reply #35 on:]

That's pretty good actually.  I can't really see Amy's mutant pineapple hair looking cute in the real world, so seeing it toned down and feminized a bit would suit whoever gets cast as Amy. Their Leela is also very good.  Normally, I find Leela stops being cute/beautiful and starts to get steadily more terrifying in more realistic artstyles, but that was handled very nicely. It's the sweet spot.  Once she gets a tear duct, it all starts to go downhill. 

Amy's hair would basically have to be a spiky fluff with no less than ten cans of hairspray all over it if it was done IRL.

So maybe like this, but more stylized to look closer to Amy's 2D hair. Think Sonic the Hedgehog spines, but upside down.
 


As for Lloyd, I can see him doing a good job of playing Farnsworth. As for Farrell as Zapp, I'm on the fence. I mean, he would fit the role but I've never been a huge fan of his work.

[Reply #36 on:]

As I suggested Simon Pegg as Fry, somehow I just feel the need to find a proper role for Nick Frost.
Unfortunately, I cannot think of an appropriate character. Anyone got an ideas?

Hows abouts Sals?

[Reply #37 on:]

How about Ellen Wong (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) as Amy? She certainly has the cute/ditzy part down, and is age-appropriate.

[Reply #38 on:]

Oooh that's true, she does look adorable.  I personally find Knives in the movie adorable, and liked her way more then Ramona Flowers, who seemed pretty bland and more trouble then she was worth by far.   I mean I'm not even sure I'd be worth that much trouble, even though I'm a physical knockout and my personality was crafted out of auroras, unicorns, baby's laughter, gold filaments and pop tarts.

Zoidy, I think that hair would look good, if it was taken down a notch.  That hair may look like a good representation of Amy's 2d hair, but it looks horrid.   The way I see it, Amy is going to be more of a cutie then a world class beauty like Leela, so her general attire should be more girl next door-type.  Amy usually dresses like she's doing her laundry, so I can't see her spending hours doing her hair every morning.   She likes to dress up and break out the lipstick on special occasions, but she clearly can't be bothered to do that every day.

[Reply #39 on:]

Nick Frost could pull off Sal.

Thread Necromancy...HOORAY!!!
While I consider Danny's idea still excellent, another role for Frost came to my mind.
We usually envision the actors with their usual hairstyle and colour. Yet, regarding Frosts stature and colouring his hair blond, I think he would be an excellent Zapp.