Tom Hanks has passed on Harvey. Without reading the script.
Variety columnist Mike Fleming wrote Tuesday evening that Tom Hanks has no interest in starring in Steven Spielberg’s re-adaptation of Harvey, scripted by Jonathan Tropper. Fleming writes “while it appears there was a conversation, Hanks and Spielberg won’t pursue it because Hanks is (already) so identified with Stewart.”
Makes sense. Hanks may have not read it but I bet his agent, CAA’s Richard Lovett, did. Some other actors on Lovett’s client roster that may be be appropriate for the role of Elwood P. Dowd:
- Tobey Maguire
- Jim Carrey
- Nicolas Cage
- Bruce Willis
- Ashton Kutcher
- Will Smith
- Vince Vaughn
…not to mention several of the other A-listers represented by CAA. Lovett also reps Spielberg himself so don’t be surprised if CAA ends up packaging this project all together with the lead role going to a CAA client. It may all depend on what type of role the Dowd character is in the Tropper script but there are sure to be subsequent rewrites once the lead gets cast so that can and very likely will change.
Other stars have also been mentioned, if only in the blogosphere, like Adam Sandler, George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr., Jake Gyllenhaal and Sacha Baron Cohen. Shia Lebeouf’s certainly worth a mention. Leonardo Dicaprio too but will Martin Scorsese let Spielberg borrow him again for another movie? Tropper’s script hasn’t leaked yet. We don’t know yet what type of character Elwood Dowd is this time around but again, that can always change with the rewrites per the as yet to be determined star’s notes.
Personally, if Johnny Depp were cast in the lead, I would find that rather interesting and that might actually satiate many who are dreading yet another “remake,” and I use that term loosely. This project is a re-adaptation, but the backlash against Hollywood’s remake fever, perceived and actual, is earning this film its fair share of the remake backlash. Which is why Depp’s casting would be a boon to this project, since his attachment may actually justify the need to retell the story of Harvey. It would be Depp’s first collaboration with Spielberg which would no doubt yield intriguing results. Further, should Spielberg end up leaving the project with Depp still on board, I wouldn’t necessarily be someone who would wish to see it abandoned quite yet. Say, if Tim Burton were to take the helm, following up Alice in Wonderland with Harvey, especially if it’s starring Johnny Depp, yeah, I’d go see it.
Sources: Mike Fleming, Who Represents