I just finished watching Three Days of the Condor and I really enjoyed it. I love the paranoia tinged movies from the 70s like All the President's Men, The Parallax View, Klute, The Conversation, and The China Syndrome. And Three Days of the Condor firmly falls into that category as movies that have a heavy influence of paranoia that is an aftershock of the Watergate scandal. With that in mind as I was watching it, I fell like the current atmosphere of distrust towards the government (warranted or not) right now means it is the perfect time to remake this film. So I started casting the (non-existent) remake:
Joe Turner (Robert Redford): Kyle Chandler. I thought about maybe Idris Elba (I love him), but I thought a more low-key actor would be better. And I think Kyle Chandler is believable as a very cerebral person but with enough of a physical presence that he could be threatening.
Kathy Hale (Faye Dunaway): Connie Britton. I can pass up a chance to reunite a TV couple! But seriously, I do think she would be great in the role. I think she could balance the strength and vulnerability in the role. Joe does pose a little bit a physical threat but quickly they learn to trust each other. I thought about maybe Haley Atwell, who I like a great deal, but I wanted someone closer in age to Kyle Chandler.
Joubert (Max van Sydow): Jean Dujardin. Cards on the table, I adore Jean Dujardin. The character of Joubert is Alsatian, so I think it is important to maintain that characteristic. Plus, you get the feeling that Joubert can and will do just about anything for a price, but he still respect Joe Turner. And I think that Jean Dujardin would really have fun with this no-holds barred role.
Higgins (Cliff Robertson): Idris Elba. The potential for duplicity is key for this role and Idris Elba could clearly pull it off (and the American accent). If he isn't available, substitute either Mark Ruffalo or Clive Owen.
Wabash (John Houseman): Gene Hackman. His last movie should not be Welcome to Mooseport. Bring him out of retirement and put him in the small just scene-stealing role.
Director (Sydney Pollack): Either David Fincher or Tomas Alfredson. Both of them have worked on films that feature of heavy dose of obsession (Fincher in Zodiac) or paranoia (Alfredson in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) so they could competently make this movie. And I think they would maintain more of the thriller part of the movie without adding additional physical action scenes.
Thoughts?
