Jun 9 2009 06:35 PM ET

'The A-Team' movie casting: Who's gonna play B.A. and Murdock?

Mr-t-Chiwetel-Ejiofor_l I love it when a cast comes together. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) Still, the news that Oscar-nominee Liam Neeson is in talks to play John "Hannibal" Smith in Joe Carnahan's movie adaptation of The A-Team — with Hangover heartthrob Brandley Cooper potentially coming on as Templeton "Faceman" Peck — is encouraging. Because no one needs another SWAT.

But that still leaves half of a renegade band of veterans, wanted for crimes they did not commit, to cast: "Howling Mad" Murdock (originally played by Dwight Schultz) and B.A. Baracus (Mr. T's star-making role). Murdock is the showiest role in the Team — the brilliant but delusional pilot who spends most of his time in a mental institution — and, as such could go to anyone from Robert Downey Jr. to Sam Rockwell. But I'd like to see them take a chance on Jim Carrey. When given the chance, the man can act (see: The Truman Show); here's a role that'd require him to both play the loon, and the damaged man bubbling underneath.

And then we come to B.A. Baracus. I'm sure every black actor with an athletic build is being looked at — Ice Cube was, at one point, a rumored favorite — to play the driver, mechanic, and legbreaker. But Mr. T, coming off of playing the villain in Rocky III, wasn't the cuddly mohawked teddy bear he'd later morph into: He was downright frightening. These days, muscles don't, ironically, carry the same weight. Think of Don Cheadle in Devil in a Blue Dress or Jeffrey Wright in Shaft — they were terrifying because you believed that they were crazy enough to do whatever crossed their minds. So I'm gonna rally for Chewitel Ejiofor (pictured) — who's never been bad in anything, and elevates everything, from Inside Man to Serenity, Children of Men to Redbelt. Hell, I just wanna see that dude in more movies.

What about you? Who would you like to see flesh out these classic TV vigilantes?

Comments (1-30) of 85 Add your comment

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  • mel

    Ejiofor was pretty scary in Serenity. He wasn’t exactly a villian, he was definitely a force to be reckoned with.

  • PeterBilt The Nature Boy

    Vanessa Hudgens as B.A. and Megan Fox as Murdock please.

  • Ceballos

    I agree with your suggestion of Carrey, and though I think Ejiofor is a brilliant actor, I can’t shake the idea that B.A. HAS to be physically imposing. As a result, (although I know this would never happen because he’s not a big enough star) I’d take a loo at Terry Crews, who has the physique to pull of the action, as well as comedic chops if they decide to add in some light moments.

  • Dr. J

    I could definitely see Michael Weatherly playing the role of Templeton “Faceman” Peck. He is witty, charming, good-looking – just what the character calls for. Just my $0.02!!!

  • Wojo

    Margaret Cho was born to play B.A. on the big screen, and Charlie from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” would be a perfect Murdock.

    • The O.G.

      Dude I absolutely agree! Weatherly would be right on for that since that is practically his character on NCIS. I always thought he would have been a good Michael Knight too if that show was better.

  • pedro

    Liam neeson is not an oscar winner. only nominee

  • Melissa A

    Ice-T or Vanilla Ice

  • ethan

    Michael Clarke Duncan as BA

  • Warda

    Brendan Fraser for Murdock, and I like Ejiofor or Wright for B.A.

  • Paul

    Bring back Mr. T. The guy is a legend. If you’ve not already, get Mr. T on your GPS to remind you of how funny and cool the guy is. I’m part of the A-team every day with his GPS voice. It’s from a site called Navtones. They do real celebrity voices for GPS. It’s awesome! As well as Mr. T being back in it, Gary Busey should be Hannibal. Think about it before you just dismiss it!

  • Roger

    I pity the fool that tries to play BA… Mr. T forever!

  • Captain Average

    Josh Holloway for ‘Howlin’ Mad’ Murdock – he can play humour and pathos.
    B[ad].A[ttitude]. Baracus could be played by Common [who's apprarently being considered], but I’d prefer Ejiofor, who could certainly bulk up for the part – though, as has been pointed out already, he was plenty intimidating in Serenity.

  • Solamente Dave

    The A Team was first broadcast in ‘83. Rocky III was in ‘82. I think there’s more evidence to support Clubber Lang being Mr. T’s star-making role, rather than B.A.
    As to the new movie – Tiny Lister as B.A. and John Turturro as Murdock.

  • Craig

    Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje for B.A Baracus plz.
    Jim Carrey has always been my Murdock choice.

  • Rachel K

    so say we all

  • MJ

    Yeah, Mike Tyson will play B.A. Baracus… Jim Carrey as Murdock.

  • Meier

    Am I the only one thinking Kimbo Slice?

  • Rob

    I’m thinking that Joe Lo Trugillio (of Reno 911 fame) would make a pretty good Murdoch. The BA role would be a tough one to fill, but Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is my favorite suggestion so far.

  • DL

    Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
    The most intimidating man on TV when he was Mr. Eko on Lost.
    I’d be fine with Robert Downey Jr. too- I mean, he did it in Tropic Thunder…

  • DL

    Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
    The most intimidating man on TV when he was on Lost.
    Also, I’d be fine with Robert Downey Jr. We all saw him in Tropic Thunder…

  • shirley

    What about michael clark duncan? http://www.niceguyswanted.com

  • Snarf

    Kevin Grevioux – from the Underworld films. He’d make a perfect BA.

  • Jeff

    Joe should bring some of the awsome actors from his last films. Everyone that guy works with gives stellar performances.

  • Josh

    Come on, isn’t Idris “String Bell” Elba the obvious choice yet? He’d tear that role up, and definitely has the chops to make it his own.
    As far as Murdoch, Ben Best would be awesome.

  • Houstonian Jen in DC

    I always nominate Michael Jai White to play B.A. Baracus. Everybody will see him later this year in “Black Dynamite”!

  • TheMan2099

    Mel Gibson as Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith
    Colin Farrell as Lieutenant Templeton “Faceman” Peck
    Kevin Grevioux as Master Sergeant Bosco Albert (“B.A.”) Baracus
    Jim Carrey as Captain H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock

  • orville

    Well, with the cast they already have in place, they’re definitely (at least, hopefully) going serious and not tongue in cheek with the movie. Jim Carrey could be ok if he’s more “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and less “The Mask” type of crazy. Otherwise, I think the suggestion of Sam Rockwell could be brilliant. He’s one of the more underappreciated people in the business. As for B.A., I’m not sure. Ejiofor is good in anything. He was really creepy/scary in Serenity. Idris Elba would be great too. But since they seem to be going a different route with the movie, why not go a different way with one of the characters? Are the characters definitely still going to be Vietnam vets, or are they going to update to the Gulf War(s)? If so, one of the characters could be female. It would be interesting to see a female version of Murdock or B.A.

  • Seth

    Ving Rhames is Mr. T.

  • george

    i’ve been to a lot of blogs and the perfect B.A. is hands down KIMBO SLICE if the directors are reading KIMBO SLICE is your guy and as far as murdock goes it is hands down JOHNNY KNOXVILLE he is crazy enough to be Kimbo’s fool! lol

  • george

    KIMBO SLICE is B.A.
    JHONNY KNOXVILLE is MURDOCK hands down

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