Politics in Alberta is not always easy for outsiders to understand. Forty years of uninterrupted Progressive Conservative majority governments have given the province a reputation of being a politically homogenous monolith.
The myth of Alberta as a western frontier where tarsands-rich oilmen and rugged cowboys rule the plains, perpetrated by an endless stream of CBC television dramas, could not be further from the truth. Alberta is a dynamic province, where urban rules and politics is less conservative and more moderate than most outsiders might assume.
It occurred to me that rather than spending millions of dollars to replicate lame advertising campaigns promoting our Spirit to Create and Freedom to Achieve (wait… or is it our Freedom to Create and Spirit to Achieve, or Freedom to Spirit…??), the true story of Alberta (and its politics) might be told through a blockbuster motion picture. A blockbuster political drama cast with big name Hollywood stars could not only explain Alberta’s story, but it might win some Academy Awards (and get a good score on Rotten Tomatoes).
I just started writing the Aaron Sorkin-inspired screenplay and that has not stopped me from sending out a casting call to actors who I believe would be perfect playing in these roles.
Please feel free to share your feedback for other actors to cast or plot points in the comment section below.
38 replies on “the cast of alberta politics: the motion picture.”
I don’t know, for title actors I’ve never seen Allison play a significant role? Can’t think of someone more A-list for the lead?
Matt: I think Alison Redford would be Allison Janney’s big break!
Let’s rethink Lukaszuk. He’s less a debonair Aaron Eckhart and more a lead-with-the-mullet Billy Ray Cyrus.
AHHHH and bring back Clark Gable to play Doug Horner!!!!!
Jerry Seinfeld as Jonathan Denis. Nick Nolte as Ted Morton.
Surely Tina Fey channeling her best Sarah Palin to play Danielle.
I’ve always felt Ricky Gervais could pull off a good Doug Horner.
Hmmm…
Mother passes away mere days before she is made Premier.
After weird allegations of mental illness, well-intentioned but naive ER doctor quits the government, joins the opposition, and becomes its leader.
International controversy about oil sands development…
Yeah. Add a chase scene or two, and you’re good.
Was thinking of Gene Hackman as Liepart. Lithgow comes across as too smart .
Morton should be played by Robert Redford. Not that they look alike…I just like the irony.
I think Ron Liepert should be played by Daffy Duck.
Kal Penn should play Raj Sherman!
Lets support some canadian talent
Rick Moranis as Dave Taylor.
Bridget Pastoor played by Kathy Bates
Don’t inflate their egos; they do a good enough job of that themselves.
Not sure about Banderas as Sherman. Perhaps Russell Peters is a better fit.
Dave Hancock played by Greg Thomey from This Hour Has 22 Minutes.
Jennifer Connelly as Danielle Smith!!!
Elisabeth Shue as Rachel Notley, all the way baby!
How about Ted Danson as Ted Morton??!?!!?!!
John C Reilly? Are you kidding me? Jeeze Cournoyer, that’s low. Here’s who should be playing me: http://socialitelife.com/enlargedimage?back_to=/george_clooney_matt_damon_boys_out_on_the_town-12-2008/george-clooney-and-matt-damon-at-nobu-and-whiskey-16&postid=3565322
LMAO @ Barry: Daffy Duck as Ron Liepert. Has my vote.
Maybe a motion picture isn’t the right medium for Alberta politics. All I can think of when I look at the former premier answering e-mails (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm6LXXPf5qo) is web cartoon Homestar Runner.
“Dear Strong Ed,
How do you raise royalties with boxing gloves on?”
I think George Clooney is booked for Ocean’s 19…
Thanks for being a great sport, Brian.
The bloggers, of course, will be played by Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman
Elmer Fudd as Fred Horne.
Tom Selleck as Jack Hayden for sure !!!!!!!
I say some muppet for Rob Anderson. Except the muppet would make more sense.
Hey we forgot about Charlie Sheen, surely he can fit in there some place !!!
Trump as Kowalski
Paul McLaughlin and Mark Lisac: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14njUwJUg1I
The perfect muppet as Rob Anderson would be Guy Smiley. http://www.dailyplunge.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Guy_Smiley.jpg
This will be a blockbuster without a doubt, as follows.
Glenn Close as Alison Redford
Sir Ben Kingsley as Stephen Carter
Philip Seymour Hoffman as Dave Hancock
Greg Kinnear as Doug Horner
Patrick Stewart as Ron Liepert
William H. Macy as Ted Morton
Kathy Bates as Iris Evans
Nick Nolte as Lloyd Snelgrove
Stephen Baldwin as Thomas Lukaszuk
Bob Hoskins as Brian Mason
Hilary Swank as Rachel Notley
Russell Peters as Raj Sherman
Mary-Louise Parker as Danielle Smith
Nicholas Cage as Rob Anderson
Mike Meyers as Guy Boutilier
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Produced by Gary Mar
I just met Tim Dyck from the Wildrose this week and I must say he’s quite handsome. You should have Matt Damon play him!
Three points:
(I’ve been told to work on my brevity…although this explanation of that is probably not helping in that regard, oh well..anywho…)
1. Elizabeth Shue? Really? aaaw.
2. Elmer Fudd as Fred Horne…nailed it!
3. But most importantly, the only person who can play Doug Horner is Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson from Parks and Rec). Check this out
http://www.brixpicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nick-offerman.jpg
Steve Buscemi as Guy Boutilier
Seems to me the NDP and Wildrose could pretty much play themselves…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKIZilenZxw
Hilarious comment thread. Most of the castings are pretty fair, but I’m definitely going to have to endorse Rachel Notley’s pick of Nick Offerman for Horner.
I think if you want any awards you will need Maryl Streep as Alison.. she never misses.