In one of the more interesting casting announcements in recent months, Variety reports that MGM is making a Three Stooges feature with Sean Penn set to play Larry while Jim Carrey and Benicio Del Toro are in negotiations for Curly and Moe, respectively. The Farrelly Brothers will direct from a script they wrote and the movie is expected to go into production this fall for a 2010 release.
While I can easily picture Carrey doing the physical shtick the Stooges are known for, I was surprised by Penn’s casting and Del Toro’s possible involvement. These guys aren’t exactly known for yukking it up. The last “comedy” Penn did, We’re No Angels, was twenty years ago and I put quotes around comedy because it wasn’t that funny. And Del Toro’s last comedic credit was, um, let me think…21 Grams? Nope. Things We Lost in the Fire? Helll, no. It was 25 years ago in Swimming with Sharks.
So what do you think of this casting? Does it make you want to see the movie? Is it smart for Penn to go from Oscar-winning performance to poking his fellow actors in the eyes? Isn’t Mel Gibson available? He performed pretty convincing Stooge-shtick in the Lethal Weapon movies. Let me know your thoughts!
12 Comments
Eddy
March 26, 2009 at 8:42 amI’m with you. When I heard, A) They are trying to make a Three Stooges movie, and 2) who they are talking about casting, I kinda threw up in my mouth a little. But, who knows? Who thought that “To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar” would work?
I could see Seth Rogan as Curly. Jim Carrey might work better in a Shemp cameo.
EireGo
March 26, 2009 at 9:21 amI’m just interested in seeing those 3 in the same movie. Don’t know how good their portrayals of the original Stooges will go, but it’s at least going to be interesting.
ARB
March 26, 2009 at 9:35 amI’m kind of excited. Not sure if they can pull it off.
FFBUFF8
March 26, 2009 at 9:49 amI was sure when this finally got made Mel Gibson would have something to do with it.
Not sure how this will play out, but Penn was funny in Sweet and Lowdown.
READER#9
March 26, 2009 at 9:53 amThis might work to put Carey back on the map. Never seen Del Toro be animated. He’d make a great Eeyore. (LOL)
ScriptPimp
March 26, 2009 at 10:06 amBenecio would indeed make a good Eeyore!
That was funny. Don’t know if this movie will be.
Why not mix it up and throw in Eddie Murphy? I’d watch that.
popculturenerd
March 26, 2009 at 10:11 amThese 3 are good actors so at the very least it’ll be interesting. I’ll give Penn the benefit of the doubt because he’s proven to me he can play practically anyone and anything. He just wouldn’t have been at the top of my list for Larry. Maybe Richard Jenkins? Seth Rogen is a good choice for Curly, Eddy. And Reader #9, Del Toro would make a good Eeyore!
who some have
March 26, 2009 at 3:05 pmHmm, interesting! For some reason, I can see Robert DeNiro as Moe! (“you talkin to ME?” *eye poke*)
popculturenerd
March 26, 2009 at 3:10 pmHa ha! That’s an excellent idea—I can see that, too! And De Niro’s already worked with Penn in We’re No Angels.
ShelleyP
March 27, 2009 at 12:23 amI don’t know ~ I’m having a really hard time imagining a new Three Stooges at all. But I’m happy to see Benicio Del Toro there if he smiles like that during the movie!
popculturenerd
March 27, 2009 at 11:03 amI know, ShelleyP! Smiley pictures of Benicio are rare!
V.E.G.
June 15, 2009 at 12:08 pmThe eyepokes are famous for the Three Stooges! The first person who gave the eyepokes for the Three Stooges is the direct descendant of the American Revolution, Bud Jamison (his sister married to Sam Cartmell.)