Question: Steven Spielberg Directing Harvey Remake, Who Should Star?

Okay, a couple of days ago /Film (click the link to read their story) reported that director Steven Spielberg is directing a remake of the classic Jimmy Stewart film “Harvey”. This is a union made in heaven as far as I am concerned, Spielberg was born to direct this film. Now I am not generally a fan of remakes but I do have to say that at least the original in this case is older than 10 years so I am ready to forgive Spielberg (still one of my favourite filmmakers).

The original film, released in 1950, starred Jimmy Stewart, Josephine Hull, Peggy Dow, Charles Drake, Cecil Kellaway and a giant invisible rabbit. “Harvey” was written by Oscar Brodney and Mary Chase (based on Chase’s hit play) and directed by Henry Koster. The film told the story of Elwood P.Dowd (Stewart) who is a wonderfully eccentric and perpetually friendly man who befriends a 6’3″ invisible rabbit named Harvey. The small town that Elwood lives in then tries to have him committed and hilarity ensues. “Harvey” is one of my favourite films and one of the best performances of Stewart’s career.

Okay, that was all yesterday’s news. Now today /Film (click the link to read the new story) reports that Tom Hanks, who at first glance would be the obvious (but not my first) choice to play Elwood, is not interested in the film. Because of Spielberg’s close relationship with Hanks, this felt like it would be a given but it is now in question as to who will play Elwood in the new film.

I’m opening this up to you, the loyal readers, who should play Elwood P. Dowd in Steven Spielberg’s “Harvey”? A couple of thoughts before you cast your opinion: 1) Spielberg has a great knack of drawing performances from actors who are not necessarily great actors, I point you to Dee Wallace in E.T., best performance of her career. 2) If you have not seen Harvey, watch it before you decide. Get to know Elwood P. Dowd, you will love him.

Okay, I’m going first and you guys are going to think I am nuts, but I think Spielberg can rein him in, I am going to say Jim Carrey. There is something very Elwood in his character of Truman (“The Truman Show”) and if you think Jim Carrey doesn’t have the acting chops for the role I point you to the 1992 Ken Olin telemovie “Doing Time on Maple Drive”, still the performance of Jim Carrey’s career.

Okay, let’s get the comment field buzzing below, I want your thoughts on who should play Elwood P. Dowd in the new “Harvey” remake directed by Steven Spielberg and why. I’ll read out the suggestions on the show on Saturday.