MovieChat Forums > Columbo (1971) Discussion > So who should be the successor to Peter ...

So who should be the successor to Peter Falk as Columbo...


...if they ever choose to do another movie or series?

I nominate:

- Johnny Galecki, aka Leonard Hofstadter on The Big Bang Theory.
- Mark Ruffalo, aka Bruce Banner / Hulk in The Avengers flicks.

Galecki is my top choice. He has Falk's stature and likableness. Ruffalo would be good too, although he's like 5'8", which is a little too tall for the role, but he'd still work.

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Martin Freeman

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[deleted]

Christoper Waltz

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Yeah, that'd be interesting.

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I honestly think Rainn Wilson wouldn't be half-bad either.

Or, how about Michael Shannon?

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They might work if viewers are open to a tall version of the character.

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I think you're thinking of Morgan Freeman.

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Long in the tooth???? Freeman is 48 this year....Falk was 44 when his series started in 1971...(41 during the first film in 68) and 76 during the final film. So Freeman is dar from being long in the tooth.

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Morgan Freeman is 81.

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True...but Martin Freeman is 48....

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I mistook Hownos for talking about Morgan Freeman too -- whoops! (I thought Morgan was a very curious nomination for Columbo).

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Falk was close to 41 when the first Columbo movie was shot in 1967, "Prescription: Murder," which was released in early 1968.

This, of course, culminated in the ongoing series you're talking about, starting with "Ransom for a Dead Man" (1971).

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David Proval

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I would say Denzel Washington but He is an A list actor so that won't happen.

John Ratzenberger , the know it all from Cheers.

Dan Aykroyd

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Denzel Washington is an intriguing choice but I don't think he'd want to do it.

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Nobody.

There'll never be anyone to compare with Peter Falk.

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Yeah I agree. Just leave it alone. Even when Falk reprised his role in the late 80's it wasn't the same and the only really good thing about it was Falk. Not saying it's not possible to make a good series again but It would be extremely hard...

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To be fair, a new version with a decent budget behind it on Netflix/Amazon and some good writers attached could easily be better than most of the '89 onward Columbo episodes.

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I think Ruffalo would be the top choice.

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Johnny Galecki too, but he might need to age another 5-7 years.

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I don't think a Columbo actor needs to be old like in his forties Johnny Galecki is ruined because of the big bang theory and I think what we should be aiming for isn't a Columbo close to Peter Falk maybe A guy who doesn't look smart or looks like a slob and play the Trickster part of Columbo up some one who can give that look when the Murderer see's how foolish they've been and they see the Real Columbo when they have been caught.

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Peter Falk was the Best. Nobody could possibly replace him.

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But Steve Martin did such a great job of replacing Peter Sellars! Not. Yes, I just compared Falk to Sellars in an an iconic role and I meant it. Except for the fact that Falk was better.

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What about Ben Stiller, he's got the hair and would be good at clutching about in a crumpled mack. Would he be able to do that accent that Columbo has .... Is it New Jersey, Brooklyn, Bronx?

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The only problem with Stiller is if he has to do a character it's hard to imagine him not being over the top silly with it. Guess I'm picturing Zoolander and Dodgeball lol.

I remember seeing Zodiac and Mark Ruffalo was wearing a tan trench coat and i was thinking that he'd make an awesome Columbo. He had the look, the posture and his natural way of speaking is just sort of soft and understated much like Falk. If I got my pick it would be him

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Yeah, now that I think of it, Stiller would be a top contender, along with Galecki and Ruffalo.

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Horrible idea remaking it but if they did, Will Forte would be my choice. He's got the acting chops and can have a little fun with it at the same time.

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