I started watching
Archer on FX recently. To my surprise, it's one of the funniest sitcoms on TV right now. After playing catch up on all four of the previous seasons, I started thinking how cool it would be to see a live-action film adaptation.
Special thanks to the user JDwyler420 for his input and collaberation on this project. For that, you get this credit in my article.
Usually in my fan casts, I don't do any kind of crew. But for this one, I felt that director and writer were really easy to come up with.
This is simply a no-brainer. Adam Reed is the show's creator and head writer. Why wouldn't he be the writer for a film adaptation?
When it came to deciding a director for an
Archer film, it was either Lord and Miller or Edgar Wright (known for
Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and the upcoming
Ant-Man). I chose Lord and Miller because while both directors do absurd comedies, Lord and Miller's films are a little bit more realistic. And despite being absurd (and animated)
Archer is very realistic.
Cast: I just want you guys to know that I'm only casting the main characters, everyone who works at ISIS. I don't really have a plot in mind for an
Archer film, so I don't know who else would appear in it.
I had so much trouble deciding on who to cast for Archer. A lot of my chocie just seemed like the generic hero types. Like Chris Pine was considered at one point. Then, I remembered Jeremy Renner. And I knew he was Archer. I just thought he was an action star, but then I remembered that he's actually an actor as well. He played serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Hell! He has Oscar nominations (and in this day an age, where award shows are so rigged, you trust a nomination more than a win).
There was a long LONG list of choices I had for Malory; a list that included Helen Mirren, Blythe Danner, and Jane Curtin among others. At one point, I considered having just having Jessica Walter (who voices Malory on the show) just reprise her role. After much consideriation, it was down to Sigourney Weaver and Allison Janney. After watching
Paul (where Weaver plays the foul-mouthed leader of a secret government organization), it was Weaver hands down.
I actually came across Good by accident. After i found her, however, I saw that she has had an impressive career; film, TV, comedy, action, drama, Good has done it all. And she's frickin' amazing at everything she does.
Sudeikis is one of my favorite comedic actors right now. It's also fitting in a way. Given that Cyril is voiced by
Saturday Night Live alumni Chris Parnell, I thought it would be fitting if Cyril were played by an SNL cast member.
This one is because of the
American Pie franchise. Hannigan played a psychosexual kinky freak. That's exactly who Cheryl or Carol (she goes by either, because her co-workers constantly screw up her name) is. My only concern is fi Hannigan still can pull off that roll. I mean, when was the last time she played a character like that?
My original pick was Melissa McCarthy, but I thought that was way too obvious. Then I found Lena Dunham. And, to my surprise, Dunham is a way better fit for Pam than McCarthy is. Dunham isn't afraid to bear it all and be raunchy. She's not afraid to go there. And that's exactly the kind of woman Pam is.
I cast Ray last because he was really hard to cast for. There were actors I liked, but I felt they weren't good enough. And then I re-watched
Weeds and remembered Kirk. Watching some of his other work, I knew he could pull of Ray perfectly.
At first, I chose Rogen for his voice. I thought Rogen and Krieger had very similar sounding voices. Then, I saw what kind of character Krieger was, and I knew Rogen was the only one for the roll. Rogen's brand of whacky, over-the-top humor is absolutely perfect for Dr. Krieger. Again, I have to thank
JDwyler420 here. When I had doubts about casting Rogen as Krieger, he reassured me that it was a good choice.
I expect a lot of you in your comments to say "who is that?" Well, Clive Swift is a very well known stage and screen actor. If you've seen the 80s film
Excalibur, you might remember him. You also might remember him as Patricia Routledge's husband in the popular Britcom
Keeping up Appearances. He is an phenomenal actor adn an extraordinarily funny man.
As always, I appreaciate and thank you all for your comments.
-MCott