SEPT 16: Ideal Custer Movie Stars, Take 2
Based on positive response to the Sept. 10 blog, “Ideal Stars for Custer Movie,” our Custer365 talent scouts worked overtime to expand on the cast.
General Winfield Scott Hancock led a punitive expedition against Plains Indian tribes throughout Kansas and Colorado in the spring of 1867. It was known as “Hancock’s War” and was designed to intimidate the Cheyenne and Lakota. Who better to portray him than the rather intimidating Jeremy Renner. Remember him as tough, manipulative ex-con/bank robber James Coughlin in “The Town”? Yeah, that’s our guy.
We’ve tabbed Josh Brolin, mysterious, cavalier government agent Matt Graver in “Sicario” and resilient Llewelyn Moss in “No Country for Old Men,” to depict Union General George McClellan, great organizer of the Union Army of the Potomac. Even though McClellan was known for his excellent skills in military organization and logistics, his record was undermined by extreme caution and an inability to commit to decisive action. Josh can adapt. That’s why it’s called “acting.”
Matt Damon has played second bananas before. He was clumsy Texas Ranger La Boeuf to Jeff Bridges’ Rooster Cogburn in True Grit, and was always the biggest star standing behind George Clooney and Brad Pitt in the group photos for Oceans’ 11-13. A perfect fit for a second-bencher among Union generals, Irvin McDowell.
No heavy lifting required for deciding who to portray tough-as-nails Indian fighter General George Crook. Two words: the great Bradley Cooper. OK, four words.
Captain Frederick Benteen was a prickly junior commander of troops in both the Civil War and the Plains Indian wars. He also commanded an infantry regiment of black troopers following the Civil War. He carried a grudge, especially a doozey of one with George A. Custer. A rich, moist bed of possibilities for talented character actor John C. Reilly.
Zach Galifianakis just looks like Marcus Reno, so that got him the part. Reno was, reportedly, half-in-the-bag drunk on whiskey during the Battle of Little Bighorn. Add $5,000 to the food and beverage budget, and an extra $25 million to the movie’s liability insurance coverage.
Let’s do lunch.
