Joe Carnahan to Direct 'A-Team' Movie

I enjoyed Smokin' Aces more than most everyone I know, even with the loathsome Jeremy Piven, but there's something decidedly out of the mainstream about director Joe Carnahan. I suspect he likes it that way, to a point, because he doesn't have to play it safe with his movies and do backflips for test audiences. But there is decidedly something mainstream about an A-Team movie, which is why I'm surprised Carnahan has been named the director of the TV adaptation. I'm not holding my breath that it will actually happen according to plan, even though Hannibal Smith always loved it when a plan came together. Carnahan is the second director attached to this incarnation of The A-Team; John Singleton split last fall. Currently, The Hollywood Reporter says the film is on Fox's calendar for June 11, 2010. We'll see if that sticks. It essentially gives Carnahan a year to cast and film the project, maybe a little less. Fox is also rewriting the script, bringing in Skip Woods (Hitman, Swordfish) to give it more punch. Carnahan can certainly make this film cheaper and more quickly than could Singleton at this stage of their careers, so maybe June of next year is plenty of time. However, casting is crucial. You're not remaking a TV show so much as you're allowing new actors to live in the skins of four characters millions of people grew up with. I mean, the story doesn't mean a damn thing, ultimately. It was believed at one point the new A-Team would be comprised of Desert Storm vets, although you could conceivably get away with the current crisis, which would also allow you to cast younger actors. I don't have an opinion about Face or Murdock, but I'd like to see Billy Bob Thornton as Hannibal, if anyone's listening. Thoughts on B.A. Barracus, outside of the perpetually campaining Ice Cube? Mr. T would be tough to re-cast...

Comments

[Jonesy]

Not that I like him, but I've always thought Xzibit would make a fine B.A.

[Lost Wilson]

Keenan Thompson from SNL.

Hands down.

[Mr. A-Z]

I would love to see Mr. T back as BA. Nobody else will be able to as good as a job as he can. I have Mr. T as the voice on my GPS. I got it from a site called Navtones and I love going for a drive having Mr. T telling me where to go. Bring back Mr. T!

[The Watcher?!]

It depends on the angle you want to go with, regarding age. If it's the vet avenue I would like to see Ving Rhames as B.A. He's one of the few actors out there that I feel could conceivably pull of the role. Billy Bob Thornton as Hannibal would actually work well, I didn't think of him before. If money wasn't a issue I would have Brad Pitt as Face and jim Carrey as Murdock.