The MOVIE Comments Page
Welcome to The Wild Wild West MOVIE comments page. This is a forum for you to speak your mind about the upcoming movie. I have left names off the page, so please feel free to send your comments to: glambert@zoo.uvm.edu. I will add comments as they come in. In
the meantime, please enjoy what other Wild West fans have
said..PAGE UPDATED JULY 31, 1997!.
As of July 31, 1997, it looks like Will Smith *IS* James T. West, and
George Clooney "is close" to signing, so I guess we can stop trying to cast the
movie with other actors... what do you think of these choices?
I just wanted to comment on the Will Smith as Jim West issue. From what
I have seen of Mr. Will Smith's work, I really don't think he would
bring the realism or machismo that Robert Conrad brought to the role so
successfully. But to be honest MOST of the young actors today today do
not come even close to possessing the "gift" it would take to do the
role justice.
If the main consensus states that Mr. Smith will not be right for the
role primarily on the basis of his race, I find this offensive and
unfair.
The role should go to the actor that will bring the role to life on the
screen. Robert Conrad has left some very difficult shoes to be filled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've liked Will Smith in every role I've seen him, and I think he's very
talented. But I agree: he just doesn't have quite the right presence to
be West. Smith is at his best, IMHO, with comedy. I would be VERY afraid
of him as West for this reason alone - too much of a temptation for the
movie to become a comedy instead of the action/western/sci-fi/your-
favorite-descriptor-here we all know and love.
I'm going to go out on a limb here. I think Smith's race is another reason
he is not right for the part. (Please put away those chain saws and let
me explain!!) I'm NOT, NOT, NOT!!! saying that an African-American can't
competantly play James West. What I AM saying is that, in the context of
the show, 1870's America, the character of James West would not work AS WE
KNOW HIM if he were African-American. He would not be able to pose as a
private-railroad-car-owning dandy. He would not command the respect of (or
maybe even get the time of day from) local law enforcement that he'd need.
I'm almost certain he could never have become a Secret Service agent in the
first place.
"But what about Jeremiah in TNot Returning Dead?" you ask. Ah, but look at
the type of "disguise" he was in: former slave, harmless and
non-threatening. (Well, until he starts channelling the dead, anyway. :-) )
Life back then was not very kind to you if you weren't white (and
male, for that matter). It wasn't right, but that's the way it was.
If the movie were to play it completely colorblind (and throw the
unfortunate realities of the 1870's totally out the window), then any actor
with the right combination of macho, cocksureness, and a touch of sarcastic
humor could be cast as West. But Will Smith still isn't the man for the job,
IMHO.
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Having Will Smith as James West is a truly ridiculous proposition. And
Johnny Depp as Artemus? Oh my God!! Hollywood truly is the fool capital
of the world - no wonder Conrad moved up to Lake Tahoe. Next we'll have Tom
Cruise as Dr. Loveless!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I saw the issue from this point of view - if Will Smith was even considered
for the role in the first place - the script must obviously be set in an
entirely different time in history. I totally agree that tranposing RC for
Will Smith in the 1800's would not make any sense.
Knowing Hollywood, if there were a remake of WWW it would NOT be set in the
1800's. They would think that no one today (especially young movie goers)
would be interested in that part of history.
I would be willing to bet anything that a 1990's (?) version of WWW could be
in the works. This is the only possible reason Smith could even be mentioned.
In this case, I really don't see where race would be an issue.
If they could mess up a remake Mission Impossible, I don't see any reason for
Hollywood not to mess up a remake of WWW :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm sorry, but this makes no sense whatsoever to me. As far as I'm
concerned, a *key* element of W-Cubed was the use of James Bond-esque
gadgetry set back in time, always with at least a whiff (and sometimes
a great stinking reek) of anachronism.
And just how much of a "Western" element is one likely to get if one
sets the movie too much later than the late 1800s? I suppose, instead
of a train and horse, we can expect The Fresh West to be driven from
town to town in the club cab of a flatbed tractor-trailer and, upon
reaching a destination, hop into the Humvee strapped to the truck and
be off on an adventure! And he can have a trick "sleeve Uzi"!?
Instead of carrier pigeons, which surely could not believably be used
in a modern setting, his messages will be delivered by miniature
cruise missiles (with the warheads removed, of course)!
Sorry to sound harsh, but if somebody's going to change all the elements
that made W-Cubed appealing to begin with, why bother tying in with
the name at all. At least the Mission Impossible movie (from what I
understand; haven't seen it) retained *some* of the crucial elements
of the original.
As for Will Smith as James West: Despite the invitation to
Sammy Davis's Jeremiah character to officially join the Service,
a black agent would have a tough time gaining access to many of the
places that James West was seen to get into. On the other hand, I
believe there *is* a place for black agents --- I'm sure there are
places in 1870 America where *they'd* be more likely to gain
clandestine access (I'm reminded of the scene in _Live and Let Die_
in which Roger Moore's James Bond follows somebody into Harlem and
is himself trailed, with one of his pursuers commenting "it's like
tailing a cue ball!"). I daresay that a black-and-white Secret
Service team would make a very effective combination in that more
race-stratified era.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think Will Smith is a very good actor and could pull off a wide
variety of roles but I agree with those that don't think he's quite
right for Jim West, he just doesn't carry himself right and doesn't
have the right kind of arrogance needed for the role.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The late 19th century west had a much more racially and ethnically diverse
population than its portrayal in much of the popular culture would lead
you to believe (although more recent movies and TV shows have emphasized
this diversity). But it is certainly true that, as first pointed out,
an African American agent would have had difficulty gaining admission and
acceptance to some of the types of situations that Jim West frequented in
the series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think if they really do cast Will Smith in this
role, his race will not be an issue in the story at all. I don't think we
will be asked to believe in him as a black secret agent in the historical
Old West of the 1870s. He'll be an agent,
period. He'll do all the things and go all the places RC as JW did and
went. In effect, the audience will be either pretending he's white, or
briefly believing in an Old West in which there was no color barrier
whatsoever, even in high society. And maybe that approach would work.
The inherent problem, though, is that the moviemakers will, to one degree
or another, be trying to re-create something that already exists in the
pop-culture consciousness, and in that original version of W3
the two leads are white. We're *used* to them that way. By making one
or both of them black, they'll be asking us to suspend our disbelief
even more than usual with W3, seems to me. If
they want to make a movie that is so far removed from the tv version that
they'll cast black actors as leads, then they should make up their own
version a la Brisco County--which I, for one, would prefer they do. But
as usual, nobody's asking us.
Well, at least Tom Cruise doesn't seem to be associated with the project
any longer. Thank the tv-gods for small favors.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't imagine Wil Smith will add anything to the role or the show. Sounds
like a really bad move.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have one main concern, why was Will Smith picked to play James West?
I'm a big fan of the Wild Wild West and I've offen thought who could
play James and for obvious reasons Will Smith is not a good choice. I
like Will Smith but not for this. What do you think about all of this? I
think the guy that was in a Time to Kil or maybe the Guy from the
Rocketeer are far far better choices. I'm sorry I sound like i'm
complaining to much but I'm really concerned about this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As a avid Wild, Wild, West Fan I think the best actor for the role
of James West would be Charlie Sheen.
The Idea of Mel Gibson playing this role is repulsive, but not as
repulsive as Will Smith. As well Tom Cruise would be about the same as
putting Micheal J. Fox as the part of this role.
I sincerely believe that these other characters would not adaquately
portray James West and would end up turning the show into a spoof.
If there is anyway to relay this to whoever is in charge of
Casting.....Please DO SO....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I like Will Smith as an actor, but I just don't see him as James West.
Artemis he may be able to do, though the key to that charatcer that
should remain constant is his ability to assume so many identities. The
actor should be able to do the same. Wonder what Mel Brooks is doing
these days.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While i'm not sure that Mel Gibson is right for this part Will Smith
is not the right choice considering the time in history the show takes
place.perhaps this may seem harsh but i grew up watching the wild wild
west in its original run on cbs.i hope the pwers to be don't make the
ame mistake as james bond did with pierce brosnan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The idea of Will Smith, although I like Will Smith and think he's quite
funny, WILL SMITH???? as Artemus?!!!!! He was a stretch being
considered for Jim but Artie? What are these people thinking?
Now, Tom Cruise would be interesting as Jim, although after Mission:
Impossible, I would bet he'd make Artie the bad guy....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why not have Robert Conrad as a retired agent who gives a hand to our
heroes? He's always been in excellent condition, and could play any
physically demanding role with aplomb.
Whatever they do, let's hope it's not going to be as deplorably bad as
the Mission: Impossible movie. No matter what happens, the 60's series
will always shine as television's greatest adventure show. Period.
Thanks for letting me air my views.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think it is a great idea. Mr. Conrad should have a role as the head
of the secret service, give him a good - interesting action part.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just had to add my two bits worth! I must agree with all the other
comments I read.. Mr. Smith would be a most unlikely candidate to play
the role of James West. Just not the same calibre as Robert Conrad.
Make the movie but don't link it to The Wild Wild West! Thank You!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've been watching WWW since they began (1965). I've been thinking
about who would be the best actor for the title role as James West for a
LONG time. Without any doubt, the best "current" actor for the job
would be Mel Gibson followed by Tom Cruise. I'm sorry, but Will Smith
would not be good for the part; he would be OK for Artemus Gordon.
Further, and this has absolutely nothing to do with RACE, but I don't
think any black person would really fit the part because of the time
period WWW occurs. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to any movie that
comes out.
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The Wild, Wild West is one of my all time favorite TV shows. I "got
hooked" on the show in 1967. This would place me in elementary school in
second grade. If I was away from the TV set when the show came on, my
mother would call me in. I RAN AS FAST AS I COULD TO FIND A COMFORTABLE
SPOT IN FRONT OF THE TV!
Look at the stars that were lucky enough to secure guest appearances
on the show. Do you believe Richard Pryor made a guest appearance? It's true.
You could look it up!
I have long thought that The Wild, Wild West would make a wonderful
feature movie. However, I am disappointed the way "the rumour winds currently
blow." I think Andrew Davis (Under Siege, The Fugitive) is the right
director for the project. Also, this would be an OUTSTANDING opportunity
for Kevin Costner to "get back in the groove." I could see him as Jim
West. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS is would he simply assume the role with little
or no designs with regard to controlling production or directing the
project. If George Clooney is not "the correct fit" for Artemus Gordon,
then there has to be an established actor similar to Ross Martin somewhere.
There has to be someone that can play varied parts for one character as
Martin did on the orginal TV series and as Larry Storch did on
F-Troop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've been watching WWW since they began (1965). I've been thinking
about who would be the best actor for the title role as James West for a
LONG time. Without any doubt, the best "current" actor for the job
would be Mel Gibson followed by Tom Cruise. I'm sorry, but Will Smith
would not be good for the part; he would be OK for Artemus Gordon.
Further, and this has absolutely nothing to do with RACE, but I don't
think any black person would really fit the part because of the time
period WWW occurs. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to any movie that
comes out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Will Smith? Johnny Depp?? Leave it to Hollywood to destroy one of the most
innovative, entertaining action/adventure shows to hit the airwaves. I'd
rather see the movie scrapped than the series made a mockery of. If Robert
Conrad has indeed declined a role, I think it's obvious why.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I would like to STRONGLY reiterate comments made by others on this forum
who are extremely disappointed at the idea of Will Smith as Jim West.
Yes, I like Will Smith as an actor, but there is absolutely no way he has
what it takes to play the part of Jim West. Casting him in that role
would be an abomination, and a cruel joke. I believe that, like Danny
DeVito was born to play the role of Louie DePalma on Taxi, Robert Conrad
was born to play the role of James West. And while I'm not sure who
would be the best actor these days to play the same role, I AM MOST
DEFINITELY SURE that it is NOT Will Smith. Maybe a decent choice would
be, as someone said, the actor in "A Time to Kill," or perhaps even Skeet
Ulrich from "Scream,'' though he might be a bit too young. But at least
he has the right type of cockiness and attitude. I sure hope these
comments are indeed passed on to the people casting the movie, because
there will be a lot of disappointed fans out there if Will Smith corrupts
the legacy of James West.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Because of the time frame we are discussing, Mr. Smith would be all wrong.
Unless of course we are talking another Blazing Saddles. Then cast Dennis
Rodman as Gordon...
But get serious folks! Stay with the original intent of the show! Please!
If not, spare us and not do a movie at all. Let us live with our
memories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Although I agree that Will Smith is a terrific actor, I have to also agree
with the consensus of your e-mailers when they say his race would negate
the believability factor of the character. In a reverse analogy, if an all
white cast were set to star as slaves in a future "Roots" miniseries, there
would be an outcry and, at the very least, laughter from the bizarre
miscasting. This brings me to an important issue with 90s Hollywood
mentality. It used to be that the term "Miscasting" really meant
something. An actor who was shorter than his leading lady was overlooked
(or at least stood on a box in all the close ups) because of miscasting.
Basically a short actor just doesn't seem to fit a leading man fantasy.
Should an actor like Gary Coleman eventually play the part of Hitler
because they're both about the same height?? According to Hollywood, this
is now acceptable. The problem is that it takes away from the importance
of the period by twisting history for the sake of political correctness.
As a student of history, I would be hardpressed to locate any
African-American secret service agents in 1870s America. But even assuming
there were a few (black agents) at the time, does that necessitate making
the character black for the sake of the PC viewer?? Please don't think
I'm harping on this issue strictly from a white and black perspective. I
am equally disturbed as a viewer when I watch World War 2 films where
English actors with heavy British accents are cast playing Nazi Officers!
It is this type of miscasting which makes the somewhat intelligent viewer
turn the channel or walk out of a theater.
In another analogy, Star Trek (Deep Space nine, and Voyager) is doing very
bad ratings wise. This is because all the male characters are wimpy and
unsure of themselves. Still green and raw around the edges. Hardly the
hero types (like Capt. Kirk or even Picard) we've come to expect from Trek
lore.
I'm not trying to get off on a tangent but setting Will Smith in the time
period of the 1870s just wouldn't work. If, on the other hand, the movie
was set in modern times, I would have no problem with Smith playing the
role. But again, setting it anytime other than the 19th century defeats
the whole purpose of the remake.
Just as a fat woman could never hope to pull off a serious role as a
graceful ballerina, and just as a fair skinned redhead like myself would be
hopelessly miscast as a mafia hitman in a Godfather film, I also believe
that casting a black actor in WWW is too much of a suspension of our
disbelief.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think Will Smith would be great as Artemus Gordon. I think either Tom
Cruise, Patrick swayze or Mel Gibson would make an excelllent James T.
West. I sincerely hope they can work in a cameo for Robert Conrad.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think these people saying that race has nothing to do with it and in
the same line saying that a black character back then would have
difficulties are hippocrits. I think the TV show broke ground by
creating roles for people like Floyd Patterson, Sammy Davis, Jr. and
Percy Rodriquez.
I would like to see the true essence of the show remain in tact. But to
say that the U. S. Secret service could not use blacks is preposterous.
Harriet Tubman's underground railroad was a brilliant move which
certainly preceeded the Emancipation Proclamation. Think about it.
One possible plot could be some diabolical fiend from the old south
trying to hang on to the good old days by harboring slaves illegally.
The one thing I think everyone can agree on no matter what race they are
is that the WWW remains a classic and it's memeory should be enhanced
and not damaged.
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After reading the comments from others, I totally agree with many of the
opinions that state Will Smith is wrong for all of the many reasons people
have stated: Wrong time frame, wrong race, wrong type of actor, yadda,
yadda, yadda. However, not one person mentioned what I consider to be a
CRUCIAL element of the show and the character of James West as portrayed by
Robert Conrad. I can sum it up in two words: SEX APPEAL. I could care less
about the stories, characters, etc. What kept me glued week after week was
ROBERT CONRAD! This handsome actor had a raw sexuality about him and a body
to die for! How could you all miss this very important point? In trying to
think of an actor today who could fill the part, I STILL cannot think of
anyone who displays those very characteristics that Bob Conrad added to his
character and ultimately the show. Are you seriously trying to tell me we
all tuned in to see Michalito Loveless? Let's give credit where credit is
due. While I admit the show was great with it's James Bond type gadgets and
story's, Ross's disguises, ruthless villians and glamourous gals, it
wouldn't have amounted to much without Bob's sexy swagger, gorgeous face and
he-man bravado. He was the epitamy of the dashing action hero, who we all
swooned over. How elese could anyone attribute the fact that each week they
either had him in tight spandex pants or no shirt, showing us all his
wonderful physic. The studio knew what they had, and they used it! If you
ask me trying to top Bob Conrad is going to be this movie's biggest
obstacle! After that, any other concerns seem pale by comparison. I've had a
huge crush on this guy since 1965 that hasn't let up yet. There's not too
many out actors out there that can maintain that kind of devotion from a fan
that spans the decades. Does anyone else out there agree with me? In closing
I just want to say, they HAVE to include Bob Conrad in this movie. There is
simply no other alternative. Without him, it would not be The Wild Wild
West! We still love you Bob!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No way Will Smith can be believable as James T. West. If we can't
have a
retired James West called back in to action, what about Alec Baldwin as James
West and a slimmed down Dan Ackroyd as Artemis Gordon. However if Robert
Conrad is not in the film at all, I won't watch it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have the agree with the person who loves Robert Conrad. I too
have had the
hots for him ever since I was 5 years old! I couldn't agree with you more.
Re-casting him will be almost impossible. And unless things improve
drastically, don't look for him in any remake. The man still does have taste
after all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a recent conversation I had with The Wild Wild West stuntman Richard
Cangey, Mr. Cangey wished me to relay his opinion on the Will Smith issue. I
quote Mr. Cangey, "In my opinion, based on my past association and friendship
with Robert Conrad, I would like to say that, barring a small miracle
favoring the use of Will Smith to star as James West in the movie version of
the Wild Wild West, there is a better chance of snow falling on the 4th of
July in downtown Honolulu than there is of Bob acknowledging the movie as
currently planned. These are my words, not Bob's".
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Gary, I really enjoyed your web site. I named my son James T. in honour of
my two favorite TV heros, West and Kirk.In regards to Will Smith playing
Jim West I agree with every body else, he`s totally wrong for the
part.Leave it to those bone heads in hollywood to screw things
up.Personally, I think James Patrick from T2 would be a good James
T.West.He`s got that "James Dean" look that Conrad had in the old days.This
won't happen for many reasons, the main one being he`s not a big name .As
for Mel Gibson,after seeing him goof his way though Maverick I`d be very
afraid to see him in the lead role.And since I can`t stand Tom Cruise,I
hope he stays as far away from the movie as possible.As for Gordon, Dana
Carvey once said in an interview that Ross Martin's use of different voices
as Gordon was an early influence on him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As a long standing Wild West fan and a fairly knowledgeable person on
current actors, I think the best choice for the role of James West is of
course, Mel Gibson. As for Artemis Gordon, how about Bruce Willis?
It would not be the same without Robert Conrad. Even as the president.
I hope whoever does the screenplay is a big fan. This is such a good
show, I'd hate to see it ruined by an un-Westlike movie. Can you say
Mission Impossible? Let's bring back Michalito Lovelace. I'm not sure,
but, is Ross Martin dead? {EDITORS NOTE - YES HE IS} What a shame.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IT LOOKS PRETTY MUCH UNANIMOUS THAT WIL SMITH IS NOT RIGHT FOR THE PART OF
JAMES WEST. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO WITH BRAD PIT
AS JAMES AND MEL GIBSON AS ARTIE. I THINK HAVING BOB CONRAD IN A CAMEO IS AN
EXCELLENT IDEA. THERE IS A DANGER THAT HE COULD STEAL THE SHOW.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If Robert Conrad's son, Christian, is still has the acting bug, he would
make a great James West--good looking, charisma, charm. Another good candidate
might be Matthew McCanighey (sorry, spelling of that word escapes me!). I
REALLY don't think Will Smith would make a good Jim--much too "gitty".
Thanks for the invite for input!
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Every rumor I've seen about who's going to play Jim and Artie has been
sillier than the last. Does anyone else vote for throwing up our hands and
admitting we haven't a clue what's going on?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am certain that I reflect the opinion of many long time fans of "The
Wild, Wild West when I say that the casting of Will Smith as James T. West
is ill-concieved! Mr. Smith is a competent actor, but then again, so is
Goldie Hawn, and I wouldn't want to see her cast as James West.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Will Smith as James T. West? Wrong choice, regardless of
talent--miscasting, pure and simple. A far better choice would be Brenden
Kelly, a talented actor who far better fits the high standards set by
Robert Conrad in the origional series. And Gordon? Nick Mancusco would fit
into this role quite nicely. So, for that matter, would Bruce
Cambell....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's a real shame when a cherry part goes to someone who is nothing more
than a pretty boy that got lucky. Part of the charm of the original show
was that West was the pretty boy and Gordon was a character actor ,the
more three dimensional of the two, and someone who we could identify
with. Why not Smith be cast as West. Im not a fan of Wills but my
point is that a versatile, maybe older actor, with more ordinary looks
would be believable in the role.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As much as I love and admire Will Smith I just can't see a black actor in
this role thats like casting Kevin Costner as Rev.Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Will Smith as James West? What's wrong with Hollywood today? The role of
James West has to be selected very carefully among a narrow choice of
actors. You can't have just anyone who happens to be be popular at the
moment play a classic role like James West. I think Kurt Russell as
James West and Bill Paxton as Artemus Gordon is a much better choice.
Mel Gibson is another excellent pick.Tom Hanks would also be good as
Artemus. Maybe Chris Farley could take over the role if Will Smith
declines to do the sequel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lets's see......Wild,Wild West/Yo,Yo Yo MTV raps. Pass.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry, but I just don't see Will Smith as James West! Clooney as Gordon
maybe, with a lot of help from the costuming department. Yes, Robert
Conrad should DEFINITELY be strong in the movie. Will would really have to
go into straight acting and tone down the mugging that has made him
millions. It would be a real stretch. Can't we find a white guy?
I think Will could really do a star turn as a villain, but this has
progressed WAY too far for Warners to easily turn back. Repeat business is
what makes a movie go. I saw both Batman & Robin and MIB, and they are not
movies that are repeat attenders. The money figures are showing it.
Strong opening weekend, strong fade.
I'm hoping that Warners looks at the big picture, and makes a movie into a
franchise that can go more than one round. But it takes BETTER WRITING,
rather than large special effects.
Otherwise, folks, there's still TNT. These guys hold
up........
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My god! Will Smith as James West?! That's like casting Seinfield's
"Kramer" as Capt.
Kirk. I don't dislike Smith, in fact I liked MIB a lot and, in general, have liked
every thing I've seen him in- but that is a terrible casting choice. I had every
intention of going to see the W.W.W. movie and dragging my poor boyfriend along, but
if Smith really has been cast in the role I'll avoid it like the plague-no way I'd
even catch it on video. In fact, I'd be so irate that they (the execs) screwed up
the movie, I'd make a point of avoiding Smith's next couple of movies. Cruise would
have been a very good choice- similar physical type (both are short/athletic) and
Cruise is a diverse enough actor to pull off the roll. Gibson is too old. I hope
the execs read this page and its comments before they sign Smith. Any one would be
better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I See that I'm not the only Wild Wild West Fan that agrees that casting
Will Smith for the part James West would be a grave mistake.
Charlie Sheen would be perfect for the part as he has the look and the
attitude that would make the part.
Mel Gibson would make a better Artemus Gordon than a James West.
Casting Will Smith to play James West would be like casting Jim
Carrey to play Will Smith......
SOMEBODY STOP THEM!!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RIDICULOUS!
Will Smith starring as James West would be comparable to casting Barbara
Streisand in "The Life and Times of Rosa Parks."
Will is a great actor... in his genre. Will can no more get audiences
to "gleefully suspend disbelief" to believe he is James West than Mr.
West could have audiences seriously follow him playing Muhammed Ali.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Will Smith as Jim West, will not do. Perhaps Charlie Sheen as Jim and
Cloone
as the side kick. That seems like it would be more believable. If Smith plays
the role I won't go see it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have never usually care with whoever cast as a character. But we're
talking about James T. West here. Seriously, I can't imagine Will Smith
as James T. West. I know if this is other character in other movie,
anything would be possible. But this was a series where the original James
T. West had the charm of Robert Conrad. Will Smith may be a good comedy
actor, but I really think he is not appropriate at all for this movie.
Why don't Hollywood try some other actors? Surely they can find someone
who has the same sexy quality as Robert Conrad. Lemme think, Harrison
Ford comes one to mind, Ralph Fiennes, or as some people say, Bruce
Campbell. As for Artermus Gordon, why don't they cast some unknown but
talented actors such as Will Patton (Inventing The Abbotts) or Gary Sinise
(Apollo 13)?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last Tuesday, July 8, the Boston Globe ran an article on director
Barry Sonnenfeld (by Beth Pinsker, Dallas Morning News; perhaps
other local papers also picked it up).
The article discusses Men in Black, and Sonnenfeld's ironic approach
to filmmaking (he also made the two Addams Family movies and Get Shorty).
Quoting the article, "So far, the ironic approach has been working
well enough that Sonnenfeld doesn't think he's going to stop. It's that
consistency thing. He and partner Barry Josephson just signed a
development deal with Disney, and their first film for the company will be
a version of the old TV show 'Wild Wild West, ' starring Will Smith
and probably George Clooney. 'I'm going to stick with irony, because
that's where I started,' he says. 'Once you've been bald and broad,
audiences expect that and it's hard to go back to irony. If you do,
they won't see it as irony, they'll see it as flat and bad comedy.'"
I think this guy has the right approach to the material.
Watching Men in Black, Tommy Lee Jones struck me as very West-like
or Conrad-like: no matter how absurd the situation the character is
in, he takes it seriously. Will Smith's role was a bit more Artie-like,
especialy first-season-junior-partner-Artie. He gets to show more
amazement at the situations, unlike TL Jones, who is all business.
Jones performance is restrained, Smith is more flashy.
Remind us of any Secret Service agents?
I think the tone of MiB could be taken as a preview of a W^3 movie
directed by Sonnenfeld. But I still wish the Will Smith casting would
be reconsidered.
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Guess I'm in the majority when I say that Will Smith would not make a
good Jim West. I thoroughly enjoy Smith's acting, but he's just not
right for the part of West. He's funny and cute and that's probably why
he's not quite right for the part. I have no idea who could play the
part now... I had thought perhaps George Clooney -- but I'm only basing
that on looks having yet to catch "ER" or the latest Batman (probably
won't even see that). Major ixnay on the idea of Tom Cruise playing the
part -- and no on Mel Gibson I suppose. Good luck to the people who
have to cast for this movie (if it really gets off the ground). In the
meantime, the person who suggested Bruce Campbell as Artie is a genius.
No one could ever fill Ross Martin's shoes, but Mr. Campbell could
certainly give it a try... those who haven't caught him in action
should check out "Briscoe County Jr." on TNT (Saturday mornings) or
catch an episode or two of "Xena" or "Hercules" when he's guest
starring.
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I just surfed your info on Will Smith as Jim West?
Without a doubt the worst casing call I ever heard of.???
They must be crazy?
Wild,Wild West is also about U.S.History,
Please tell me they are going with some one else....
Will Smith would be perfect in a remake of I Spy....
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There is only one James West - and he's not dead. The smart thing
for Hollywood to do is bring Conrad back as Jim West and build these
other characters around him. This would extinguish all the blather
about "who would be the best Jim West." They would keep the loyal
Conrad fan base while having the opportunity to sequel the bejesus
out of the show if it was successful. Success will be dependent
on an intelligent script that isnt laced with unbelievable stunts
like the inane post-Connery James Bond fiascos. With Conrad back
in the saddle, a remake might have HUGE $$ potential.
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I just wanted to write in to agree with the general consensus that Will
Smith is completely wrong for the role of Jim West. Are the people
casting this movie insane? Will Smith is too silly and goofy for Jim
West, and besides that he is not macho or handsome enough to play Jim.
>From all I've heard about this movie it sounds awful. The casting is
terrible, and I hear that it may not even be set in the old west. Also,
it sounds more like a spoof than the sci-fi-action-adventure-western
that all WWW fans love. WWW is my favorite show, and I am absolutely
sure that I am NOT going to waste 2 hours of my life watching this
ridiculous, butchered version of it. I hope all WWW fans boycott the
movie. Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion.
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Its as simple as this the "$" distorts anything good or worth having.
Hollywood's track record of having good movies based on tv shows is getting
worse. They cant could up with anything original. They want to distort the
facts of history to suit their own purposes.....
Case in point, the Wild WIld West movie, having Will Smith as James
West is insane because of the time period and his race the movie doesnt work from
there and I dont buy into his macho image either, just because he's "hot", he
is right for the part.
Ross Martin can act circles around the rather dead George Clooney acting
style. with all the characters Ross Martin has performed in the series,
Clooney doesnt have a chance.
I get excited sometimes when they announce a movie coming based on some of
favorite TV shows but I am always disappointed when I see the final project
because it always seems to never capture the essence of the true spirit of
the original show.
My opinion is forget all this nonsense about the movie because it will
never top the series and let us remember and enjoy the series we've care for.
Nothing and I mean nothing will ever come close to the genius behind the show
and what they opened our eyes too. Nothing will ever replace Robert Conrad
and Ross Martin as our two favorite spies and all the villians and strange
situations they encountered.
The Wild WIld West series is all I care about and will enjoy for the
rest of my life. Thank you Bob and Ross!
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Will Smith is indeed a talented peformer but he's no Robert Conrad or
James West! "The Wild, Wild West" was escapism at its best but casting
this gifted but unlikely young actor would make it surreal!
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Will Smith as James West? Say it ain't so! He would be seriously
miscast as West. May the powers that be cast someone else, please!
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I just signed on to this site and what is the first thing that I see?Will
Smith as Jim West?Someone is completely wacked or has a
terminal case of political correctness.I have been a loyal fan of TWWW for
many years and cannot believe what I am seeing.Whats next,Bruce Willis in
the lead role in the remake of Shaft?Say this is just a joke!
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Will Smith as James West this is a bad joke right.
Smith is a good actor but does no fit the time line.
Hollywood has screw up most of there remakes of TV why stop now.
Well please do! Do it right or leave it a lone.
We need another Car 54 or a Mission: Impossile like a hole in the head.
I enjoy your page and look forward to the up dates, lets hope Hollywood
gets there head out of there ass and does this right.
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I'll say it again: Will Smith is NOT a James West. Reverse the roles
and the movie will be a hit. I.e., Clooney (or Mel Gibson) as James
West, and Will Smith as Artemus Gordon.
A "MAJOR" WWW fan.
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I am in full agreement with the consensus that
the casting is absurd, nor am I impressed with
the writers. One look at their dubious credits
( Tremors 2, Ghost Dad ) shows us the direction Hollywood is taking.
These guys are hacks, churning out nothing but crap.
This entire project reeks of failure, and illustrates the problem with
Hollywood today-
lack of true talent & the obsession with big name actors & directors.
The sole motivation
is endless greed - the pursuit of big box office.
Nothing wrong with making $$$, but at what cost? There are far more
talented folks than these current flavors of the month ( Sonnefeld
& Smith ). Like Sonnefeld's work as a cinematographer, but his
directorial efforts, with
the exception of GET SHORTY, are bloated & gimmicky.
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I can see Mel Gibson as West and Will Smith as Gordon....but CANNOT see
Will Smith as THE James West! Please!!!!
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The role of Artemus Gordon needs to go to an actor with the range of
talent and knowledge Ross Martin had. The man could speak 6 languages
(including Russian), and if I'm not mistaken, had a degree in law, could
quote and perform Shakespeare with ease and finesse, and possessed a
charm and class that few actors could match. They may have to look to
the stage for some solid actors. I think they're trying to hire George
Clooney for the role. Go figure.
But then we all know they'll spend a few minutes thinking about casting
this movie, and they'll slap a lousy film together so they can quickly
collect the money from the studio and run!
Why is it we all seem to feel this project is doomed to disaster? I for
one feel that the people involved are there only for the money, not for
the passion they feel for the original series. Brian De Palma, who
directed and butchered the Mission: Impossible movie, said in an
interview that he didn't care much for the original M:I TV series.
Let's hope the guy they've hired for this project at least watches one
episode of the original W3 series.
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I never watched the Wild, Wild West, but all I know is, if Will Smith
is in it, I'm gonna see it!
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