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Monday
10Aug2009

Paul Giamatti Replaces Sean Penn in 'Three Stooges'

DateMonday, August 10, 2009 at 11:59AM
Sean Penn walked away from acting for a short time earlier this summer. As part of his year off, he vacated the role of Larry in the upcoming Three Stooges movie. That's probably for the best, though. Now co-director Peter Farrelly tells The Boston Globe they've replaced Penn, but that another Stooge still needs to be cast.

Paul Giamatti, I think everyone would agree, is a far better choice to play Larry. His comic sensibilities are much more in tune with this project than Penn's recent history would indicate. If Farrelly isn't just speculating but is, in fact, reporting that the Oscar nominee has signed on, that's a big step up, and one that could really stabilize a movie that frankly isn't too easy to justify on its own merits.

Benicio Del Toro is still lined up to play Moe, and that should be fine. Kind of an unexpected choice, but it could work. Moe is more of the straight man anyway. But Curly has always been the toughest Stooge to replace - hell, even the Stooges couldn't do it successfully 50 years ago - and Farrelly says that information linking Jim Carrey to the role was inaccurate. That's also for the best.

Though I'd hesitate before recommending Jack Black, Curly needs someone of that type more than it needs Jim Carrey. Is there another Jack Black who isn't Jack Black? Actually, now that I think of it, Kyle Gass would be a better Curly than Black, but it's a terribly specific role, believe it or not, much the way that playing Harpo Marx would require more than just silence and a bicycle horn. I don't really have any good options, which underscores why this movie is such a head-scratcher.

The Farrellys plan to release The Three Stooges next year, but unless they have a Curly there's no point setting that kind of deadline. And let's face it, the Stooges worked together for years and years before becoming film stars, so you can't throw three actors - even very good ones - in a room and hope impressions of Larry, Moe, and Curly are going to delight audiences. The beauty of the Stooges was exactly how nuanced the insanity was, and that takes time.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , , , , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment4 Comments |

Reader Comments (4)

how about Dan Fogler, he could definitely pull it off but would he get the shot?

Monday, August 10, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterummm

Jonah Hill.

Monday, August 10, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJust a suggestion

YESSSS

Paul Giamatti is a fantastic choice...

I still am convinced even if people still disagree with me I really did believe Sean Penn would do great to be honest... something about him or his look or personality or whatever, maybe, spirit tells me he could do it and be funny and good but too bad...

Go Jim Carey EEEWW screw Jack Black no no no I will be pissed if that happens .... Jim is hilarious I'd love for him to give it a shot

Monday, August 10, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterSEAN

Philip Seymour Hoffman can play about any role - even Curly.

Friday, August 14, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJTS1

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