I'm surprised Hollywood hasn't made their own version of Running Man by now. But if there was, who would you cast?
These are my picks:
Yoo Jae Suk (main host): Billy Crystal or Howie Mandel
Gwang Soo (dorky one): Jay Baruchel
Kim Jong Kook (powerful one): The Rock (only person I could think of that had charisma and muscles)
Song Ji Hyo (tough pretty girl): Evangeline Lily
Ji Suk Jin (old guy): Robin Williams
Gary (gullible one): Michael Cera
Haha (childish one): Zach Galifianakis
I know the big Hollywood stars would never do it cause they are too proud to jeopardize their image to participate in a variety show.
I actually made a thread about an Americanized RM way back when here, but the first post (which was mine) broke: http://www.isubs-squ...man/page__st__2. I generally disagreed with the idea that American celebrities are too conscious about their image to participate in such a show. I mean, there *are* some who are above it, but IMO, those aren't the celebrities one would expect to see anyway. Celebrity reality competition shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and especially shows like "Ellen" and "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" show that there are celebrities who *are* willing to look silly and play games for fun.
I was trying to cast it realistically, though, with members that would be similar in status to the RM cast members--which is to say, celebrities who are past their "superstar" phase but still release new material and are well-liked (like KJK), or are up-and-coming talents who had yet to build a big following (or a big mainstream following outside their niche, like Gary). My list currently looks more or less like this:
MC: Rove McManus. There's honestly no equivalent to YJS here in America in terms of dominance and broad likability, and many of our late night talk show hosts (who'd be the MC type) tend to come off as smarmy. I know Rove isn't widely liked in his home country of Australia, but here in America he's largely unknown and comes off as a personable and witty guy (he hosts special segments on Jay Leno's Tonight Show). There's also a slight physical resemblance between him and YJS, and that sense of not being physically imposing but actually being physically competent.
The Commander: Chris Jericho. I made that earlier post when Jericho was semi-retired from the WWE and trying his hand at other shows (the aforementioned DWTS, as well as hosting his own game show). He's currently back in the WWE, but could easily exit again. He hasn't had the Hollywood success that the Rock has had, but he's definitely got the physicality, he's got the charisma and eloquence, and he doesn't have "dumb jock" baggage like many WWE wrestlers; in WWE he's known as cunning and devious. And he's got a musical background, too, though he's not particularly well known for that.
The Girl: Jenna Fischer, Alison Brie, or Ellie Kemper. Let's not forget that on the outset SJH wasn't known for being the Ace she is now. I was looking for an actress whose characters are generally girly and subdued, but have occasional moments of guts and spunk--someone who could believably grow into the Ace.
The "Gary": Donald Glover. Someone who looks innocent, but has street cred, and is surprisingly wise and witty. Glover pulls off a young and consequently occasionally naive character in "Community," but also has a rap and standup career.
The "HaHa": Ken Jeong or Bobby Lee. Jeong may be too big of a star and too old, but he's got the zany, scheming personality down pat (yeah, there seems to be a "Community" thread running through this...well, they'll be unemployed in a few months, so it's an option).
Yoo Jae Suk (main host): Tim Allen - I think he could do the ad-lib stuff pretty good, and get along with lots of different personalities. Gwang Soo (dorky one): Mitchel Musso -not well known (from Disney's HannaMontana series), but very funny, and young and awkward in looks and personality Kim Jong Kook (powerful one): The Rock - I have to agree with this choice, he is strong, but also can be funny/charming Song Ji Hyo (tough pretty girl): Cameron Diaz - quirky, in good shape, and pretty. Ji Suk Jin (old guy): Bill Murray - dry wit, older guy, but would bring in a little bit of a snarky personality to this part. Gary (gullible one): David Hewlett - From Stargate...plain face, dry wit Haha (childish one): David Spade I can see him being devious and acting childish too
0
