MY IDEAL CAST
Mark Cohen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drew Lachey
Roger Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Justin Timberlake
Mimi Marquez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beyonce Knowles
Tom Collins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jesse L. Martin*
Angel Dumott Schunard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jai Rodriguez
Maureen Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christina Aguilera
Joanne Jefferson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alicia Keys
Benjamin Coffin III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taye Diggs*
WHY?
These were all names tossed into the pot when Chris Columbus was casting the original film. He essentially went with the Broadway cast because they would work for scale and they knew the material. However, there are valid artistic reasons for choosing the people named.
Drew Lachey appeared in the show in New York during its "stunt casting" phase, and with time grew into a decent performer. His celebrity lends the role some cachet, and potentially establishes him as a serious actor with the right direction and editing. I could also see a potential hit single release of "What You Own" out of the pair I have here, which brings me to...
Justin Timberlake -- he's been looking for serious acting material, in particular material that deals with gay experiences (if not an outright homosexual role). What he's gotten in return? Shrek the Third and The Love Guru. He needs something with dramatic weight, and what bears more weight than an HIV-positive recovering drug addict who's trying to write one great song before he kicks the bucket? All it needs is someone to toughen up Timberlake's voice a bit, as the role is well within his vocal range, and again good direction and editing, and you've got yourself a Roger.
Beyonce Knowles' name was thrown into the pot for Mimi long before she ever played (essentially) Diana Ross in Dreamgirls or Etta James in Cadillac Records. She has had a great career since then, and was pretty damn good in serious roles in films like Obsessed and...actually, pretty much that. Everything else has been comedy, musically related, or voices on a kiddie TV show. The third option aside, Rent is a little of everything...a little funny, a little serious, and it has some pretty fantastic songs and choreography for Mimi. (She would tear "Out Tonight" the *beep* up.) Take away the processing that comes with modern recording and leave just Beyonce and I think you would have a pretty career-making role for her.
Jesse L. Martin -- He's played Collins before, and he has some celebrity cachet. In the end, it didn't help the final movie, but surrounded by stars like this, imagine (again) what it would do for Jesse's career. Rent, the show that defined a specific period in his life...its message spreading farther to people who need to hear that message...and a celebrity showcase that would get him offers left and right.
Jai Rodriguez got his start in various productions of Rent, and went on to...a lot of Hollywood cameos and returns to Rent. Queer Eye from the Straight Guy aside, this unrecognized talent really should have had more of a career. So maybe being a part of Rent on film would have looked like a step down, but Angel is a pretty meaty role that holds up a lot of the film and is a big part of its message. And again, appearing in a celebrity showcase and getting some good reviews could only help someone's career.
Christina Aguilera...'cause screw it, she's got the range and Columbus tossed her name in the hat. It was either her or Brittany Murphy (RIP), and since I'd rather cast live people, Aguilera wins. Plus, Maureen gets around, and Aguilera's stage act has the whole "slutbag" thing going for her.
Alicia Keys was a Columbus choice. I picked her over other potential choices, such as Frenchie Davis (American Idol contestant who's actually appeared in Rent), because of her voice, and her acting chops as witnessed on television and in some film. I think Joanne would be an interesting choice for her at this stage in her career.
Taye Diggs -- Same reasons as Jesse...he's actually played Benny, and he's got some celebrity cachet. Aside from pumping out a unit with his wife, and a lot of television work, he hasn't done quite so well in major films since he gave Stella's groove back. Rent should have been good for him, and with this cast it would be.
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I joined IMDB and all I got was this lame-ass signature.
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