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CASTING MORIARTY |
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Written by Matthew Pejkovic |
As the list of names to play Sherlock Holmes’ arch nemesis Professor Moriarty grows, Matt’s Movie Reviews takes a look at which thesps linked to the part is best suited to play the supervillain and go head to head with Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes 2.
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RUSSELL CROWE |
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WHY IT COULD WORK...
Russell Crowe was rumoured to play either Watson or Moriarty in early pre-production of Sherlock Holmes, and it would no doubt be fun to watch the Oscar winning Aussie play a big bad villain, especially when Robert Downey Jr. – the very man who lampooned Crowe in Tropic Thunder – is playing the good guy. Plus, Crowe needs a hit. Really bad.
HOW IT COULD FAIL...
Can Crowe’s ego handle playing second fiddle to Downey? Will his well known perfectionist attitude cause friction on set? Will his English accent sound Irish? Make no mistake, Crowe comes with baggage.
BEST BAD GUY?
Hando (Romper Stomper, 1992)
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JAVIER BARDEM |
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WHY IT COULD WORK...
The man played one of the most frightening villains in No Country For Old Men, and his ability to seep into his roles with quiet menace makes him a perfect counter to Downey’s flamboyant Holmes.
HOW IT COULD FAIL...
Javier Bardem has never been one to appear in such a glossy production, with green screen acting not in his repertoire.
BEST BAD GUY?
Easy. Anton Chigurh (No Country For Old Men)
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BRAD PITT |
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WHY IT COULD WORK...
Brad Pitt’s name has been long linked to the role of Professor Moriarty, and his relationship with Guy Ritchie harkens all the way back to Snatch. If he were to get involved, this guys guy would get along famously with the testosterone driven cast.
HOW IT COULD FAIL...
Pitt is family atrocious with an English accent, to such an extent that Ritchie had his character in Snatch speak with an inaudible quasi-Irish accent. Just how Pitt can pull off portraying one of the most iconic fictional villains in English culture, while butchering an English accent, is beyond comprehension.
BEST BAD GUY?
Early Grace (Kalifornia, 1993)
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SEAN PENN |
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WHY IT COULD WORK...
Sean Penn is simply one of the greats, playing a variety of roles often to great acclaim. Plus, to see two of the best actors of their generation duke it out on screen would be gold.
HOW IT COULD FAIL...
Where to begin...like Crowe, Penn comes with a lot of baggage, namely an ego. He has never attempted an English accent, and one look at his filmography shows that action/adventure is not high on his priority list.
BEST BAD GUY?
Meserve (Casualties of War, 1989)
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GARY OLDMAN |
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WHY IT COULD WORK...
He has carved out a niche as the ultimate bad guy, he is a chameleon without equal, and a Brit to boot. Gary Oldman as Moriarty seems written in the stars...
HOW IT COULD FAIL...
...if only watching Oldman do the bad guy shtick hadn’t gotten, well, old. A recent career resurgence playing good guys (the Batman and Harry Potter films) seems a better fit at this time in his career. Best he leave this bad guy for someone else.
BEST BAD GUY?
It's a tough call.....Stansfield (Leon: The Professional, 1994)
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DANIEL DAY LEWIS |
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WHY IT COULD WORK...
This method man extraordinaire would be a blast playing a villain of Moriarty’s stature. If Ritchie wants an actor to strike fear in the hearts of his viewers, then Daniel Day Lewis is the man for the job.
HOW IT COULD FAIL...
A possible flipside to Day Lewis’ casting is that he could be too serious for the type film Ritchie is aiming for, sucking the fun out of Sherlock Holmes’ fun ride.
BEST BAD GUY?
Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting (Gangs of New York, 2002)
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