MovieChat Forums > Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) Discussion > What if Judd Nelson played Steve Martin'...

What if Judd Nelson played Steve Martin's part?

posted 8 years ago by swimboy818-671-821618
7 replies | jump to latest

Before you guys completely tear me apart proclaiming how I have the worst ideas in human history, hear me out. I absolutely loved the final version with Steve Martin and John Candy, as it exemplified the tried-and-true uptight vs. slob duo that always elicits laughs from me. This pairing also worked because Steve Martin and John Candy were good friends in real life, adding to their chemistry. Now, while you wouldn't picture Judd Nelson, star of The Breakfast Club, as the uptight, overworked executive, I can make a case for him being cast in Steve Martin's place.

* During the 1980s, the yuppie youth culture became incredibly powerful, leading to many young 20 somethings going into the business world, becoming materialistic and obsessed with money. For reference, look at Michael J. Fox's character on Family Ties. This sort of character is in their mid to late 20s, but takes their profession and appearance very seriously, leading to them appearing uptight and losing sight of what's really important.

* Additionally, while it's not particularly shocking for a middle aged man to be an uptight executive, the idea of a 27 year old male (I wrote the Nelson version of the character as being 27) being an uptight business man elicits a lot more laughter, as does the idea of a 40 year old man being an unkempt, jovial slob, as the opposite is usually expected. Irony often creates good comedy.

* This reason is more of an emotional one, but I really wanted to what Judd Nelson was capable of, by him playing a character that is so inherently different from his character in Breakfast Club.

Tell me what you guys think about this idea.

[–] jumpin_joe78 7 years ago

Honestly, I don't think it would've become the classic it is today. I feel what made this movie work so well was the chemistry between Candy and Martin. Judd Nelson would have played the part in a completely different way most likely and I can't see it matching up with Candy. That's just my opinion though.

[–] swimboy818-671-821618 7 years ago

I kinda pictured Nelson playing the part similarly to Tom Cruise in Rain Man. The younger character is the more uptight, work-oriented, appearance driven one, whereas the older one, though for wildly different reasons, is much less concerned about such things, whether it's due to trauma or a congenital disability. Although Rain Man was largely a drama for obvious reasons, there was some comedy in relation to Cruise and Hoffman's characters' relationship. With the uptight yuppie being paired with a functional, but obnoxious slob, I only see the comedy growing exponentially, since laughing at a foolish, slobbish man is considered much less offensive then laughing at a man with a severe congenital disability.

[–] residentevil6901 7 years ago

Judd would've been good in the part but he would've played it differently which would make the movie completely different. I prefer the way it is, it's such a classic.

[–] Mo_Fishwater 7 years ago

Hmmmm....... a one dimensional, unfunny B-movie actor, or Steve Martin. Well, it's a close call but I think I'm gonna have to go with Steve Martin on this one.

[–] NutMustardx 7 years ago

Nelson was coked out of his skull, he wouldn't be able to carry the humor with Candy. Candy was yacked out too, though, so maybe theyd do fat lines of yayo together. But Judd has those huge coke nostrils, hed snort up a 'ball in one toot

[–] ModernDayWarrior (114) 5 years ago

I think the idea you proposed woulda worked but I don't see Judd getting the subtle aspects needed to get it to work. Around this time he started making bombs and he played manic characters (that one movie where he's a douchy lawyer for instance.) I don't see him staying grounded enough to do it.

I do think maybe someone like Michael J Fox, Sean Penn, or Tom Cruise even coulda pulled this version of the movie off. They all could do decent jobs in dramas so the sad scenes would be so out of the loop. I see Tom nailing it pretty good as could have Sean. Sean would have had to dial down the intensity a bit but it woulda been a nice change of pace after At Close Range.

[–] snepts (11123) 5 years ago

Interesting thought, for sure. Judd really did not capitalize on the success of TBC, and he was my favorite character !
I do think having age peers is the right way to go. Cruise would have been an interesting contrast, and Penn could bring something to the table as well. Fox would have been too dwarfed by Candy, let's be real.
But Steve Martin is a comic timing genius. And the wordless expressions he comes up with ! Whatever might have been is one thing, but Steve and John nailed it. Those aren't pillows !