MovieChat Forums > The Rockford Files (1974) Discussion > "The Nice Guys"

"The Nice Guys"

posted 8 years ago by lvrepoman
12 replies | jump to latest

If you haven't seen this new movie and you are a Rockford fan, do yourself a favor and catch it while it's still in theaters.

I don't want to divulge anything which might be considered a spoiler, but there are numerous homages to Rockford that any fan will pick up.

One thing I will say. Many names are thrown around as actors who could do justice to James Garner's role. It will never happen, but Russell Crowe would be near perfect. His anti-hero persona, sense of humor, and real-man attributes would, I think, even please James Garner.

"He was running around like a rooster in a barnyard full of ducks."--Pat Novak

[–] jaystarstar 8 years ago

Crowe would be a good pick for a movie-franchise revival of TRF.

He's a recognizable big name but no longer a top shelf A-lister commanding astronomical money.

He's fairly close to Jim Garner in appearance so he would work in that regard.

[–] cind5 8 years ago

Last I heard, Vince Vaughan owns the rights to Rockford and is planning on playing him on the big screen. That's what rumor controls has it.

Spenser with an "S", like the poet.

[–] jaystarstar 8 years ago

I think Crowe would be better than Vaughn. Vaughn would be more likely to play it all as an "Anchorman" style parody or goof.

While TRF certainly did have humorous moments, it was not a slapstick comedy with fart jokes, etc etc.

[–] jaystarstar 8 years ago

How about this cast for a "Rockford Files" movie franchise revival?

Jim Rockford: Russell Crowe
Joseph "Rocky" Rockford: Martin Sheen
Dennis Becker: Jeremy Piven
Beth Davenport: Sandra Bullock
Angel Martin: Paul Rodriguez
Lt. Chapman: Alec Baldwin
Lt. Diehl: Christian Slater
Gandolph Fitch: Ving Rhames
Megan Doherty: Catherine Zeta Jones
John "Coop" Cooper: Matthew Mcconaughey

[–] cind5 8 years ago

I will I like your casting of Rockford, Rocky,Becker,Davenport,Chapman, Fitch and Coop. It would be a dream cast. I'm drawing a blank on the Megan character, who was she again? What about Marcus Hayes and Peggy Becker, who would play them?

Spenser with an "S", like the poet.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

How about Chris Rock as Hayes, Jennifer Taylor as Peggy, and Michael Clarke Duncan as Gandy...

[–] cind5 8 years ago

Michael Clarke Duncan passed away 4 years ago.

Spenser with an "S", like the poet.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

Whoops. I guess he's out.

[–] cind5 8 years ago

Fletch, who's Jennifer Taylor? I looked her and still got nothing. What makes you think she'd make a great Peggy?

Spenser with an "S", like the poet.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

She was Chelsea on Two and a Half Men. She's 44 now.

[–] rayward-912-879696 8 years ago

Agree with your casting except for Angel. David Paymer, watch Mel Gibson's PAYBACK. Or Kevin J. O'Connor, watch THE MUMMY. Both guys would make great Angel Martin's.

[–] celestedrake-83582 7 years ago

I agree -- a Vince Vaughn vehicle would turn a Rockford movie into the Starsky and Hutch movie, which was enjoyable and funny, but had very little to do with why people liked the original series . . . which was primarily about the friendship between the two serious detectives.

Russell Crowe could work though I just endorsed Nathan Fillion in another thread. I think Nathan has more of the self-deprecating charm necessary to pull off the role. The Nice Guys was great for what it was -- I thoroughly enjoyed it -- but it was more comedic than Rockford. Would Crowe be humble enough to let himself get beat up in a film that wasn't a straightforward comedy? I'm not so sure . . . I keep thinking of his role in Gladiator . . .