Retroactive Castings: Sicario, Back to the Future

Sicario (1980's version directed by John Carpenter)

Kate (Emily Blunt): played by Veronica Cartwright

 Cartwright, as one could see from her work in Alien, was unparalleled back in the day for her ability to play characters completely out of their depth. Her work in that masterpiece of horror would fit her very nicely into this descent into hell.

Alejandro (Benicio del Toro): played by Raul Julia

 One of the most underrated actors of all-time, Julia would be the perfect choice for a 1980's Alejandro as he was always best in roles where he could both underplay (in this case the menace) and have a bit of fun (with the enigmatic quliaties) at the same time

Matt (Josh Brolin): played by James Woods

 Woods' energy as an actor would be perfect for the amiably incisive approach of Matt Graver, as he'd be properly charismatic while at the same time with a certain sleaziness to his manner, which has always been Woods' speciality.

Reggie (Daniel Kaluuya): played by Howard Rollins

 As he showed with his marvellous performance in Ragtime Rollins was brilliant at being the reactive figure in films, and would fit perfectly in with this very classic sort of supporting role who reflects what effect Kate's degradation of character has on those close to her.

Steve (Jeffrey Donovan): played by Bill Paxton

A loudmouth obnoxious guy who fires gun? 80's Bill Paxton is well up for it.

Ted (John Bernthal): played by Kurt Russell

Small role for sure, but would be funny to see Russell in a Carpenter film cameoing in such a small role, against type. Though I have to say, he would've been a perfect 1990's Matt for a 1990's Sicario.

Back to the Future (2010's version directed by Robert Zemeckis again, god forbid they make a remake but just for fun...)

Marty (Michael J. Fox): played by Emory Cohen

He's charming (just watch Brooklyn people, very, very charming), got a similar appeal to Fox as an actor, a star on the rise, he could definitely pull this off.

Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd): played by John Malkovich

I considered Nicolas Cage, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Jenkins, and all manner of great character actors, but in the end I could think of no one better to take on the role of Doc Brown than the great John Malkovich, king of endearing craziness.

George McFly (Crispin Glover): played by Adam Driver/Paul Dano

Depending on the tone the film would take, George McFly could be played either way. I think Driver would give him more of an old-fashioned, low-key, affably humorous and pathetic approach, whereas Dano would be more manic, Crispin Glover-esque, far more mannered. Both would be fun to watch.

Lorraine Baines (Lea Thompson): played by Claire Foy

I thought she was tremendously entertaining in playing a complete bitch in Wolf Hall so naturally she'd be a perfect fit for sweet Lorraine Baines, right? The basis I'm going with this casting is that Foy, from what I've seen her in, is quite the chameleon in terms of being timid/over the top, and I think she has enough talent to pull this tricky role off.

Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson): played by Miles Teller

I always like Teller more when he's playing someone who's a bit of a douchebag (Whiplash remains his best work precisely because he doesn't sugercoat the unpleasant nature of his character with pseudo-smarmy charm), and Biff Tannen is probably the biggest douchebag in all cinematic history. Go figure.