There are so many things wrong wth this project, but near the top of my list is the casting. Personally, I'd prefer some talented unknowns in the roles of our beloved Stooges. I'm afraid these 'name' actors' credits and reputations will preceed them. They won't be able to slip into the roles easily, no matter how talented and gifted the actor may be. Audiences will be
too aware that its Sean Penn
playing Larry Fine. That was the concern when the 9/11 drama
United 93 was cast. If you recall, no big names were used. I think it would have been a distraction, just as it will for this Stooges feature.
Another problem is MGM's involvement. True, the Stooges spent a couple of years working at MGM with Ted Healy. That said, The classic shorts were produced at Columbia. How can the film even begin to resemble a classic Stooges comedy when it won't even open with the Columbia torch lady? That's a big part of thier films. It's like watching a
Star Wars film without the 20th Century Fox fanfare opening. The two go hand-and-hand. Will MGM be able to create any titles that resemble the classic shorts? Who knows?
Frankly, I wish this project would just be abandoned. If the Stooges really need to be on the big screen, then why not just reissue some of their most popular two-reel titles.
Men in Black,
Three Little Beers,
Disorder in the Court,
You Nazty Spy,
A-Plumbing We Will Go,
An Ache in Every Stake and
Micro-Phonies would certainly make for some great fun and laughs at the cinema. A couple of Shemp films wouldn't hurt either. (hint-hint)