Both:
National Lampoon's Canadian Vacation: The Acorn Doesn't Fall Far
Rusty - Chris Pratt
Rusty's Wife - Julie Benz or Kristen Wiig
Rocky (Cousin Eddie's son) - Bill Hader
We both came to the conclusion that Chris Pratt led reboot of the National Lampoon's Vacation series would be perfect. Now it is possible that the world has just fallen in love with the Parks & Recreation star and just sees him as perfect for any reboot role (Jurassic Park and, possibly, Indiana Jones), but he makes sense. He's got the perfect blend of quick wit (see: Guardians of the Galaxy) and physical comedy (see: Parks & Recreation) that worked so well with Chevy Chase's Clark Griswold. Remember, Clark is an every man, some one who just wants to do right by his family and Pratt fits that role very well. The film will circle around Rusty (Pratt), trying to give his family the kind of vacation like his father had attempted so many times. Determined to be more successful, Rusty packs up the family for a trip to Canada, because what could go wrong there? Rusty's wife (played by either Kristen Wiig or Julie Benz) and his two kids are along for the ride as old faces appear such as: a grown up Rocky, Cousin Eddie's son, (played by Bill Hader).
We felt Bill Hader (SNL) has a penchant for playing zany characters, so why not try his hand at one the zaniest men of all of cinema? He fits the role and has a different enough style of comedy that his humor won't run into Pratt's as the two play off one another. Wiig (Adam's choice) or Benz (Dalton's choice) as the under appreciated wife that Rusty really lucked into seemed perfect. The two women are beautiful and able to hold their own with strong male leads.
Even though we did say "reboot", we felt keeping a similar plot line but not recasting the original characters (besides making adult versions of some) would make for more creative freedom for the actors to explore the archetypes and make them their own.
Dalton - Smokey and the Bandit: The Bandit Rides Again
Bandit - Matthew McConaughey
Cledus Snow - Josh Lucas
Smokey - Wayne Knight (Newman)
Junior - Sam Rockwell
Burdettes - John C. Reilly & Peter Dinklage
Love Interest (Carrie) - Jennifer Garner
For me, I've always felt McConaughey just reeked of charm. Even in the worst of his worst romantic comedies, he's got that "it" factor. With his recent uptick in popularity and, most importantly, credibility it feels like this is a perfect opportunity to make this film. McConaughey has that same kind of charm the Burt Reynolds did and it's not hard to see him taking off in the Trans-Am with a beautiful woman and a pack of state troopers not far behind them. Josh Lucas is an under appreciated talent that has the same likability of Jerry Reed. He's played a convincing southerner in Sweet Home Alabama and this could be his breakout role. The hardest casting decision was that of "Smokey", the officer who's quest to catch the Bandit never ends. Physically, I wanted someone who fit the same body build as Jackie Gleason and was old enough to be a curmudgeon of an old man. I think a key to what made the character so humorous was his reactions to be fooled by the Bandit and I see Wayne Knight (Seinfield, Jurassic Park) as someone who could pull it off. Just imagine the disgust he showed towards Jerry Seinfield towards a mustached Matthew McConaughey. As this cast has about 8 integral parts to it, I found people who I think fit the former actor or actresses role well and would be able to bring something fresh to the characters. I especially think John C. Reilly and Peter Dinklage playing off one another as the Burdettes would be comedic gold. I think making Dinklage more of the serious one and Reilly the buffoon makes for a compelling dynamic. Sam Rockwell just works as Junior. Rockwell is likable and that's the key to Junior. At no point is he ever seen as anything as humble and kind-hearted, I feel Rockwell could bring some real weight to the character and balance out some of the goofiness that was seen before. I see Knight and Rockwell playing off one another strongly as well. Finally, Jennifer Garner, to me she is what Sally Fields was at the time: a pretty girl that you could easily see running off with a charming fast car driver. She may have to play up the banter skills as Fields was able to keep up with the silver tongued Reynolds throughout and with the gravitas McConaughey now brings to the table, matching him is no easy endeavor.
Adam:
All of my feelings about remakes aside, I would enjoy seeing a remake of the classic comedy Airplane! Airplane! Is considered by many (myself included) to be the best comedy of all time, so I guess if it has to be done why not try a new take on such a classic? Personally, I'd have the general plot of the movie be very similar. Some parts would have to be more politically correct, but I feel the same general plot combined with my personal recommendations for a new cast would do the original justice.
The Cast (major roles)
- Striker: Paul Rudd
I believe that Rudd could bring the same dry humor to the role of Striker, along with the same hilarious subtlety as Robert Hays.
- Elaine: Amy Poehler
I feel Amy Poehler would do a solid job in holding her own in getting laughs, much like Julie Hagerty in the original.
- DR. Rumack: Will Ferrell
Arguably the hardest spot to fill, as Leslie Nielsen was one of the best comedic actors of all time. My opinion of Will Ferrell has went down after his last few movies, however, channeling his older style and the same subtlety as Nielsen would more than do the role justice.
- McCroskey: Jim Carey
Lloyd Bridges's classic zaniness made this character one of my personal favorites in the whole film. Carey could bring his own craziness to this role to make it work.
- Captain Oveur: Chevy Chase
Peter Graves was great in his limited screen time, and it'd be refreshing to see Chevy do this role justice in the late stages of his career.
-Murdock: Lebron James
Kareem Abdul Jabbar was a pleasant hilarious suprise in his role, I could see Lebron's star power bringing people in and allowing him to show his funnier side would give the remake a nice boost.
- 2 Jive Guys: Kevin Hart and Craig Robinson
These 2 could really deliver on one of the more hilarious (yet very un PC) parts of the film. I am dying laughing now picturing it.
That's how I'd approach a remake to the classic movie Airplane! It would be tough to live up to the original, but I feel this cast could get the job done.