MovieChat Forums > Along Came a Spider (2001) Discussion > Alex Cross?

Alex Cross?

posted 20 years ago by khan_pathan619
15 replies | jump to latest

In the book it describes Alex as a "strong" guy. Even in the part where Jezzie says Ill be dreaming you in your swimming shorts (because of his powerful body). Then when in the movie is he an old man???

[–] Nightingale1 20 years ago

Yeah, I know. In the books it always talks about his good looks, that he looks young for his age, that he is strong with a good build. I picture someone like Denzel Washington...not Morgan Freeman.

"Give her hell from us, Peeves"
Occlumency, anyone?

[–] armygrl663 20 years ago

I have never read the book and I don't think I want to because I love the movie so much. I think Morgan Freeman makes a great detective in his movies. I'm glad he was in this one. Yet again he didn't have a choice since it's a sequel to Kiss the Girls where again he plays Alex Cross.

All of our ignorance brings us closer to death.

[–] mumblingjobapplicant 20 years ago

But I think, casting a younger Alex Cross would have allowed a character development. I always thought that Morgan Freeman is great to be some kind of a mentor, an already developed character. Anyway, i'm really disappointed by the movie. With a loyal adaptation, it would have been a great movie. I think they should make a remake of it, adapting two books: Along Came A Spider (only for the story of Soneji), and its sequel Cat and Mouse. About Alex Cross chasing Soneji/Murphy (the one that is in the book) and Mr. Smith, and--"spoiler to the book"--Thomas Pierce chasing Mr. Smith a.k.a himself. And the life of each of them. I think they should tell the Pierce/Smith thing in the first place, it's so anoying to see almost every new character in Alex Cross series is actually--through a quite cliche twisted ending--the bad guy. The Cast: Denzel Washington as Alex Cross, Edward Norton as Soneji/Murphy, and Billy Crudup as Pierce/Smith. Just a thought...

[–] pjlashin 19 years ago

I think you are thinking of the movie Se7en wher morgan freeman IS the mentor detective. If you haven't seen it I recommend it ONLY if you have a strong stomache. But I thought Along Came a Spider is definatly one of my all-time favorite movies!

"I am the way, the truth, and the life." -Jesus Christ

[–] nessa51979 18 years ago

how come he had a wife in this one but not in kiss the girls? also, why did monica potter do all this? Her character i mean.

[–] louie1066 18 years ago

because his wife dies and isnt around in kiss the girls
kiss the girls is actually the 2nd + book
but was for some reason made into the first movie

[–] danni_86 17 years ago

"Yeah, I know. In the books it always talks about his good looks, that he looks young for his age, that he is strong with a good build. I picture someone like Denzel Washington...not Morgan Freeman. "

I actually agree with that. I always thought that Denzel Washington should play the lead in Jamest Patterson/Alex Cross movies. Morgan Freeman is a great actor but too old to play Alex Cross.

[–] caratony1972 16 years ago

I never saw Denzel in the role myself. Instead, I think that the physical description is more Wesley Snipes. Denzel is definitely the better actor, tho, and would work very well. Sampson (cut from this movie...WHY?????) would be perfect for Michael Clark Duncan. IMHO.

[–] lauren_disalvo 17 years ago

I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT!!!! BUT NEVER SAID IT OUT LOUD BECAUSE I LOVE MORGAN.
sorry for yelling but i had to.
morgan does something totally different than what i envisioned after reading the book.
denzel would be nuts as alex cross. oh well.

[–] danni_86 16 years ago

James Patterson actually hinted that there is a huge fan for Denzel as Alex Cross.

[–] ekeckert83 18 years ago

Because Morgan Freeman is an incredibly badass actor and is perfect for the part

Nobody in all of Oz, no Wizard that there is or was, is ever gonna bring me down.

[–] caratony1972 16 years ago

Nope. Sorry. He was entirely wrong for the part. He was too old, had the wrong look, the wrong build, the wrong everything. I love Morgan Freeman. I think he was completely snubbed for Shawshank and should have had himself a little golden man for that role as well as sever others! That said, he is not and will never be Alex Cross for those of us who read the book first.

[–] gsharkey 16 years ago

For the script of this film, Freeman was perfectly cast. However, if the script had remained faithful to Pattersons character of Cross, Freeman was all wrong, he should have been an athletic man in his thirties.

I'd like ten thousand marbles please.

[–] charismaseasons 8 years ago

I saw the movies first and then read the books and while I'm reading the books I see Cross as Morgan Freeman. While he is described in the books as being 41 and tall well built and looking very much like a young Muhammed Ali I don't think the character fits the description. Cross is portrayed as way too experienced and way too good at his job to be that young.

[–] 8 years ago

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