MovieChat Forums > Witness (1985) Discussion > Stallone as John Book

Stallone as John Book

posted 7 years ago by redban02
4 replies | jump to latest

The trivia section says that Sylvester Stallone was an early pick to play John Book. How do you feel he would have done?

I think Stallone would have portrayed the grizzled, hardened, rough Philadelphia cop with precision; he might have done better than Ford in this regard.

However, I have a difficult time seeing Stallone gracefully blend with the Amish community, as Ford did. Specifically, Stallone is too muscular, which disaccords with the Amish's austere lifestyle; and his face screams Italian (whereas Ford looks more Dutch). Therefore, Stallone as Book would have made the Amish feel like freaks or outsiders, and I think the movie specifically aimed to avoid that feeling.

Overall, I think Harrison Ford was the right guy for this role.

[–] nutsberryfarm 7 years ago

that would be interesting. as would have gary busey.

🎄Season's Greetings!🎄

[–] redban02 7 years ago

Busey was really a candidate to play John Book? Source?

[–] brtndr 7 years ago

.... I have a difficult time seeing Stallone gracefully blend with the Amish community, as Ford did. Specifically, Stallone is too muscular, which disaccords with the Amish's austere lifestyle; and his face screams Italian (whereas Ford looks more Dutch). Therefore, Stallone as Book would have made the Amish feel like freaks or outsiders, and I think the movie specifically aimed to avoid that feeling.

Overall, I think Harrison Ford was the right guy for this role.

I agree with your entire argument about WHY Harrison Ford was a much better choice to play John Book for the movie 'Witness'. While I'm sure Stallone would be just fine as the urban city detective working the mean streets of Philadelphia. However, Stallone would've stuck out like a sore thumb while attempting to "lay low" and hide out among an Amish community of German descent.

However, by choosing Harrison Ford over Stallone for the part of John Book means that we will never get to see Stallone standing at the front door inside Rachel's house while dressed in under sized Amish clothing, uttering this great line:

John Book: Yo' Rachel... Like, how do I look - I mean, do I look Amish?
Rachel:[nods] You look plain.

Such a tragedy.

[–] RobbieCalifornia 7 years ago

Stallone would have been a ridiculous choice to play John Book. He could never have pulled off the fake Amish part. I can't imagine anyone but Harrison Ford as Book, he was great.

I just rewatched the movie after a very long time and love it even more this time.