Johnny Depp as Nick Charles, The Thin Man?

[Temis the Vorta]

I'm not so sure about this. Depp doesn't strike me as thin so much as athletically toned. And they better get Asta's breed right.

I tried watching one of The Thin Man movies, and just couldn't get into it. Seemed too dated for my tastes. So I have no purist objections to a remake but I definitely don't see Depp as right for this role at all. How about George Clooney instead? Let's hope The Lone Ranger gets back on track pronto, Tonto, so Depp can do a role better suited to him.

Depp will play Nick, the former detective who marries an adorable young socialite, drinks a lot and occasionally solves a case. There is no word yet on who’ll join Depp and play Nora. The original intention is to take elements of the first two films and work them into one film, putting it into a period setting and giving it a Sherlock Holmes-like stylized treatment.

They should let Guy Ritchie direct!

 

[the G-man]

Depp doesn't strike me as thin so much as athletically toned.

Technically, Nick Charles wasn't the Thin Man and Asta was a Schnauzer, not a Wire Fox Terrier.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

My comment about Depp not being thin enough was sorta a joke. Clooney's not thin either.

So Hollywood got Asta and Toto wrong? Typical!

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

I love the original movie series. I'd rather not see a remake, but I'll give it a fair shot if one gets made. Nic Cage was interested in starring in a remake back in the 1990s.

 

[Professor Zoom]

I LOVE the original Thin Man. Nick and Nora... William Powell and Myrna Loy are wonderful together. THAT was chemistry.

I'm curious about a remake. Mostly: will they keep all the drinking in? Because that's one of the best things about the original series. Of course, back then, it wasn't quite the social no no it is today.

I hope they keep it.

 

[the G-man]

Actually, Depp might be the one actor who could force Hollywood to keep in the drinking. The studio would be thinking "yeah...this will be detective Jack Sparrow".

My comment about Depp not being thin enough was sorta a joke...

I thought it might be. But I figured a lot of people WOULDN'T know that Charles wasn't the Thin Man. Just like a lot of people still think Clousseau is the Pink Panther.

 

[Captain Dago]

Ah, sorry, didn't see this thread before I responded to your poll, Temis. But, yes, George Clooney is much more my idea of a replacement for William Powell than Johnny Depp.

And I'm glad the record's already been set straight about the relationship between Nick and the title. Curiously, however, the Hollywood films all used "Thin Man" in the title even though the original "Thin Man" only appeared in the first movie.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

It's gar-an-TEED that the audience is going to think Nick Charles is the Thin Man if they're rash enough to keep that title.

 

[Greg Cox]

Ah, sorry, didn't see this thread before I responded to your poll, Temis. But, yes, George Clooney is much more my idea of a replacement for William Powell than Johnny Depp.

And I'm glad the record's already been set straight about the relationship between Nick and the title. Curiously, however, the Hollywood films all used "Thin Man" in the title even though the original "Thin Man" only appeared in the first movie.

It's like "The Pink Panther" or "The Night Stalker." Never mind what the title originally referred to, the name got linked to the protagonist in the public imagination . . . and it was easier just to keep using the name in the titles.

For the record, "The Pink Panther" was a rare jewel, not a nickname for Inspector Clouseau. And "The Night Stalker" originally referred to Janos Skorzeny, the Vegas Vampire, not Carl Kolchak . . . .

 

[timothy]

I am not familar with this series at all is there a line up of the originial movies?
all so Is this a british series? and they way you are talking about the main character it sounds like Robert Downey Jr. would be good for the role.



I love Detectives stories.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I am not familar with this series at all is there a line up of the originial movies?
all so Is this a british series? and they way you are talking about the main character it sounds like Robert Downey Jr. would be good for the role.



I love Detectives stories.

American series, based on a novel by Dashiell Hammett.

 

[Professor Zoom]

I am not familar with this series at all is there a line up of the originial movies?
all so Is this a british series? and they way you are talking about the main character it sounds like Robert Downey Jr. would be good for the role.



I love Detectives stories.

Wikipedia. Type Thin Man.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

and they way you are talking about the main character it sounds like Robert Downey Jr. would be good for the role.

Hmmm, it's a toss-up which would be worse for the role, him or Depp.

Of all the current big-name actors out there, George Clooney is the closest to being right. But even he's too earthy. Really, Hollywood doesn't go for the William Powell type anymore.

 

[Captain Dago]

and they way you are talking about the main character it sounds like Robert Downey Jr. would be good for the role.

Hmmm, it's a toss-up which would be worse for the role, him or Depp.

Of all the current big-name actors out there, George Clooney is the closest to being right. But even he's too earthy. Really, Hollywood doesn't go for the William Powell type anymore.

OH, GOD, NO! NOT MORE ROBERT DOWNEY! That dude is the most overexposed actor in Hollywood!

I thought of George Clooney first, too, but let me give it some more thought... Whatever happened to Cary Elwes?

Nominations for Nora, anyone? "A lanky brunette with a wicked jaw..."

 

[timothy]

okay this sounds interesting I may have to find the movies and tv series just to see if I like it. all found the book on my nook for $9.99.
how about:

Natalie Portman or
Uma Thurman

 

[Professor Zoom]

and they way you are talking about the main character it sounds like Robert Downey Jr. would be good for the role.

Hmmm, it's a toss-up which would be worse for the role, him or Depp.

Of all the current big-name actors out there, George Clooney is the closest to being right. But even he's too earthy. Really, Hollywood doesn't go for the William Powell type anymore.

Powell was fucking GENIUS in the Thin Man. They don't make actors like him anymore.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

I have seen all of the original Thin Man films and have a couple of comments:

1. The Thin Man movies require someone who has good comedic timing and sense. These are detective stories...but they are also comedies. And when it comes to comedy, Johnny Depp has got Clooney beat, hands down. George Clooney would be a really BAD choice for these films - he's not a comedic actor. I'm not sure why all the love for Clooney in this role in this thread...because the guy is not a comedian at all. I suppose he looks good in a tux...but that is about the only thing that would make him good in this role. Otherwise, it's not him.

That said, I'm still not certain Johnny Depp is 'the guy' for this role either, because.....

2. These films require a comedy TEAM between a male and a female comedic lead. I don't know who they could team Johnny Depp with who would have the chemistry and ability to banter back and forth with Depp like a credible Nick and Nora would require. In truth, I think the closest thing we have to a good comedic team these days, where both parties can do both comedy and drama well, is maybe Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan. In truth, given my knowledge of the Nick and Nora dynamic, Hanks/Ryan would be a much better choice than either Clooney/some actress or Depp/some actress. They have a relaxed chemistry that works, and that is what Nick and Nora require. Clooney has had good chemistry with various actresses, but not a strong comedic sense...and Depp has a strong comedic sense...but not much in the way of ability to create a relaxed banter-back-and-forth chemistry with a female co-star.

These Thin Man movies are not really about the mystery as much as they are about Nick and Nora, boozing their way through a half comedy/half mystery. The appeal of the original films was NOT any kind of intricate storyline...but the brilliant comedic chemistry between William Powell and Myrna Loy.

 

[sidious618]

Clooney is hilarious and has been in a number of comedies.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Powell was fucking GENIUS in the Thin Man. They don't make actors like him anymore.

Agreed. And Myrna Loy was his perfect partner...not just in the Thin Man films...but in the other films they did together as well.

Two of my all time favorites!

 

[Captain Dago]

Sorry, Timothy, but I don't see either of your suggestions as Nora. PKTrekGirl, I've REALLY got to disagree with you, hon. Not only do I stand by George Clooney as a possible Nick but Hanks/Ryan are just plain wrong.

With Clooney as Nick, how about Maggie Gyllenhall as Nora? Although I'm still pondering Cary Elwes as Nick.