Fantasy Film Casting – Benny & Joon

By Newguy

Let’s Recast a Film

You know how us film fans always want to recast a film, well today we play the role of producer and this script has turned up on our desk. The next job is to cast the film as if it the year is 2016, the rules are as simple you can’t use anyone who is in the original film however good or bad you think the film is. So without further ado let’s cast this movie.

Film: Benny & Joon

Original Cast: Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson, Aidan Quinn, Julianne Moore

New Cast: Keira Knightley, Tobey Maguire, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Katherine Waterston

Why I have picked this star:

Mary Stuart Masterson – Keira Knightley – Joon Joon in the mentally ill sister of Benny who has to stick a very strict routine just to get through each day. She comes off shy and nervous which is important to why her relationship with Sam works. I have picked Keira for this role because I feel she is making herself out to be a perfect choice for touching comedies be it with Begin Again and Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. This role isn’t about all the comedy but being the natural reaction to the comedy and also having to deal with the serious side of the story with her mental health issue which I also believe that Keira would handle with ease.

Aidan Quinn – Tobey Maguire – Benny Benny is the only relative that Joon has and he cares for her at home while running his own business. Having to care for Joon has put his own personal life on hold but when he meets Sam his own life is going to change just as much as Joon’s. Tobey is my choice for this role because he is a good serious actor and in this role he does have the serious subject matter, he also needs to be older with the big brother feeling about the character.

Johnny Depp – Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Sam Sam is the estranged young man with a fascination with Buster Keaton so much so he uses his comedy to communicate with people in his own little way. He comes into the lives of Benny & Joon to change them both for the better. I have picked Joseph for this role because I feel that he can pull any comedy he wants so whether it is embracing the Buster Keaton or using another iconic comedian, we can also see him handle the serious side of the story.

Julianne Moore – Katherine Waterston – Ruthie Ruthie is the love interest that Benny starts seeing once Sam starts making Joon feel much more relaxed.  While this is just a supporting role we do have some very important scenes and I do think having an actress that is just starting to make her name in the main stage of Hollywood needs to be used in this role and Katherine shone in Steve Jobs last year and this could be the chance to continue to show her talent.

How will this change the film: I would like to keep nearly everything the same in this film really it is such a charming gem of the romantic comedy drama that hits everything perfectly when it comes to telling this story. if I was to change anything it would be to potentially change the iconic actor Sam would be obsessed with.

Will you be going to see this new version of the film?
Who would you rather see in this film?