The biggest rumor of the day, and kind of a cool one if it turns out to be true, has been broken over at Blackfilm, who report that an offer has been made to “District 9” star Sharito Copley to play Howling Mad Murdoch in Joe Carnahan’s “The A-Team” movie (and note we’ve been hearing this at-the-time unsubstantiated rumor for a few days as well, so it’s either gaining traction or true and finally bubbling up).
Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper have been cast for a while as, respectively, Hannibal and Faceman, and earlier this week MMA fighter Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson was cast as BA Baracus. Blackfilm mentions names like Jim Carrey, Steve Buscemi, Timothy Olyphant, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell as having been connected with the Murdoch role, but suggest that a firm offer is out to Copley. The movie’s already begun shooting in Vancouver, so clearly they need someone fast… But they also note that so far, just an offer has been put out, but he hasn’t accepted yet. They probably need an actor who is free immediately and has no gigs on his plate currently. Look at that proposed slate and then think of spankin’ new Copley. This very well could be happening. Either way expect some kind of announcement imminently.
There could be worse news. Copley mightily impressed in “District 9,” and we can certainly see him in the role. The only question mark is over his lack of experience — Copley never trained as an actor, having been a special effects wizard in South Africa until his friend Neill Blomkamp wrote the part of Wikus with him in mind. Still, it’s intriguing, and we’re glad Carnahan’s at the helm — it’s clearly resulting in offbeat choices like this. But then, “Smokin’ Aces” had a great cast too, and look how that turned out… A lot depends on the script — surely someone out there’s got a copy by now?