Retroactive Castings: Interstellar in the 1970s, Rocky in the 2010s

Ever thought, whilst watching a film, how it might've been made under completely different circumstances? Completely different eras, perhaps? I've always been fond of 'retroactively casting' some of the films I've watched, particularly ones I've thoroughly enjoyed, generating a mental picture in my head and seeing how it fares compared to the real deal. The format I've taken here is 'trading' films between decades.

1970s to 2010s: 'Rocky'

2010s to 1970s: 'Interstellar'

Interstellar (1970s)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Obvious choice, really. The likes of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and later on, 'E.T.' and 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence' would prove that there were very few better than Mr Speilberg at generating warmth and heart out of the sci-fi genre. 'Interstellar' would definitely be a much grander, epic scale of filmmaking than the aforementioned flicks, but I'm sure he would've gained more than enough experience of blockbuster filmmaking from 'Jaws', to make it his '2001: A Space Odyssey'.

Cooper: Robert Duvall

With a bit of character actor star wattage/name recognition to boot, Duvall would be perfect in Matthew McCoughnagey's role. He was always adept at playing the unassuming, quiet fellow with the right degree of charm (see: The Godfather, Tender Mercies) and would've surely been terrific in the more emotional beats of the story.

Dr Amelia Brand: Jane Fonda

I pick Fonda largely on account of her bringing just that added bit of extra star power to the film. In addition to that she was always at her best playing this sort of strong, intelligent figure who took shit from nobody, and yet would occasionally drop the facade to reveal inner tenderness.

Murph: Sissy Spacek

For the true heart of the film, look no further than one of the up-and-coming actresses of the 1970s, Ms Sissy Spacek. Red hair aside, her wonderfully naturalistic approach to acting would work wonders in grounding the science fiction elements of the film with the grimier, more 'earthly' aspects of the storyline.

Dr John Brand: Trevor Howard

Howard's gruff approach as an actor would fit in perfectly with the character of John Brand, who kind of needs to be one in order to motivate the men on the mission. Think his priest character, in 'Ryan's Daughter', but with a darker edge to his intentions.

Dr Mann: Donald Sutherland

For entertaining, scene-stealing madness, Donald Sutherland's your Mann (no pun intended). One of the reservations I had with Matt Damon's portrayal of the character was that it was almost too...distracting, to have such a big star in that sort of character actor role. Sutherland I feel would've been perfect doing his madman routine with the right blend of humour and menace.

Voice of TARS: Richard Dreyfuss

I thought of casting him as Cooper, but it just seems so right to have Dreyfuss' affable everyman intonation provide Duvall's Cooper with a worthy sparring partner on his journeys in galaxies far, far beyond.


Rocky (2010s)

Director: Gavin O'Connor

Kind of just basing this on one excellent boxing film he's made (Warrior), but that alone's enough to convince me that he'd be the man for the job. I mean Joel Edgerton's arc in that very movie essentially echoes the general structure of the 1976 Best Picture winner.

Rocky Balboa: Oscar Isaac

I was torn between Isaac and Matthias Schonearts, going for Isaac in the end on account of him, despite not being your usual 'boxing'-looking kinda guy, having more of that 'everyman' film to him. Isaac would be excellent in playing out a less-smarter-than-usual sort of character for himself, sort of an expansion of his deadbeat loser in 'Drive'. (another choice, Tom Hardy; I left him off because I wanted to be a bit alternative...)

Adrian: Ruth Wilson

One of the more underrated actresses working today, Wilson would be wonderful in slowly bringing out the underlying strength of the character, without compromisng too much of her originally shy disposition. Just some of her silent reactions in all sorts of films, just does so much with a glance.

Apollo Creed: Anthony Mackie

Mackie's been a pretty solid actor throughout his career, with a certain intrinsic cockiness and physicality to his screen presence that would be perfect for Apollo Creed. Even more interesting, however, would be to see how much of a showman he'd be made into in his hands; the mannerisms, and overall aura of Creed would be fascinating to play with.

Mickey Goldmill: Alan Arkin

Unadventurous casting to say the least, but hey, no one does the cranky old-timer role better than he does nowadays, so why not.

Paulie: Jack Black

Just thought it'd be nice to see Jack play this sort of uncouth, rude bastard without making him completely despicable.

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