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dconner
Preeminent Apostolic Prelate of the Discipleship of Jabootu
USA
104 Posts |
 Posted - 02/13/2006 : 10:05:54 AM
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| When I first heard about this movie, in a somewhat garbled way, it made me think Kevin Kline was going to be playing Clouseau... and *that* casting, I could see working! |
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Ken HPoJ
Supreme Potentate
USA
1530 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2006 : 11:10:07 AM
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"Apparently Martin is the only reason the film got made; basically, the remake was his idea."
Not true, even though his involvement might have gotten it green lit at this exact moment. Before he came on board, though, Mike Meyers was bandied about as the new Clouseau for some months, before he threw in the towel.
MGM (recently sold to Sony) has had two long-lasting franchises, the Bond movies and the Pink Panther films. They have attempting numerous times in the past to keep the series going without Sellers or (let us not forget) Blake Edwards...or Henry Mancini, for that matter.
Alan Arkin attempting the role after the series high point, A Shot in the Dark, the second Edwards/Sellers film. Sellers and Edwards returned some years later in Return of the Pink Panther, and then for the series' second highlight (and yes, I include the original film), The Pink Panther Strikes Again. I think Shot in the Dark is the better movie, but PPSA is probably the funniest, in terms of belly laughs. Seriously, I strongly recommend anyone to check out those films.
Before he died Sellers made one further and rather middling entry, Revenge of the Pink Panther. Then he passed away, they they unwisely attempted to keep things going.
Trail of the Pink Panther was pieced together from Sellers outtakes from the previous films, which is patently a bad idea. (To add to the ghoulish note, David Niven returns as The Phantom, the jewel chief from the first movie. However, he had throat cancer, and his lines were actually dubbed in by Rich Little doing Niven!)
Clouseau was on hand in bandages, as he had decided to become a criminal himself and had had plastic surgury. In the end, he reveals himself, and we get to watch a very unfunny Roger Moore trying to do Clouseau.
They went to the well again with Curse of the Pink Panther. Series regulars Herbert Lom and Burt Kwouk (both introduced back in A Shot in the Dark) returned in this tale of the search for Clouseau, in which they enlist a wacky inept American detective, using the same send-a-clutz-to-find-a-clutz logic as the awful Martin Short / Danny Glover 'comedy' Pure Luck.
Finally, ten years after that (but thirteen years before Martin's venture in the role), Lom and Kwouk returned for a last go around with Robert Benigni in Son of the Pink Panther, which at least had the excuse of Benigni playing another, if similar, character.
My vote for Clouseau, after having seen the commercials, anyway, would be Jean Reno, who obviously would have been funnier in the part than the painfully aged (61) Martin. No way on Kline, by the way. Apparently DConner hasn't seen Wild Wild West.
PEGGY: I don't see how having a girl on the team would ruin it. Did a woman judge ruin the Supreme Court?
HANK: Yes, and that woman's name was Earl Warren.
--King of the Hill |
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zombiewhacker
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
USA
1475 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2006 : 1:01:37 PM
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OK, I stand corrected. But Martin was the reason the film got greenlit, which was more to the point. A better actor could not have gotten the film made. This is the old Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves conundrum: no way Kevin Costner was the right guy to play Robin of Locksley, but without him there would have been no movie.
Jean Reno would have made an excellent Clouseau, but then again, whether it would be Reno, Rush, or some other worthy actor, I doubt the studio would have taken the plunge. As Ken indicated, two relative unknowns (Ted Wass and young Benigni) were given try-outs after Sellers died. Both films tanked. No doubt Hollywood was unwilling to make another Clouseau film unless it had a marquee name. |
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Nicolletta
Diocesan Ecclesiarch of the Sacred Order of Jabootu
85 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2006 : 3:22:29 PM
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Jean Reno is a whole 3 years younger than Steve Martin.
Steve Martin--born August 14, 1945
Jean Reno--born July 30, 1948
And call me a schmuck, but I think Martin has aged well. Around the age of 60, you deserve to look a little old. :P
Being real is good. Being interesting is better. |
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Ken HPoJ
Supreme Potentate
USA
1530 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2006 : 4:09:22 PM
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I guess Reno just looks sturdier. I admit, though, that when Martin appears to do physical comedy in the commericals, I wince. It's like the difference between the young Stooges and the Old Stooges (i.e., the Joe Besser years and later) when they are slapping each other around. I keep expecting to hear some fragile facial bones cracking.
I wouldn't call Martin aged looking by any means, but I don't think he has the fluidity of movement anymore that helps suspend disbelief when he falls through floors or such. I just expect to cut to him in an ambulance and shouting about how he's broken his hip.
PEGGY: I don't see how having a girl on the team would ruin it. Did a woman judge ruin the Supreme Court?
HANK: Yes, and that woman's name was Earl Warren.
--King of the Hill |
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Ericb
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
USA
648 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2006 : 08:44:04 AM
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Picture Clouseau saying:
"I've fallen and I can't get up." |
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