Liam Neeson will most likely sign on to the feature-length film A-Team in the coming days. Yes, that A-Team. The film version of the popular television show from 1980s, about “soldiers of fortune”/former special-ops guys, fighting for what’s right when “the man” is trying to keep them down. Liam is in talks to play Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith, a role originated by George Peppard. There is no mention thus far about who will play Bad Attitude Baracus, the role that made Mr. T famous.
This will be the second film Liam has signed on for after his wife Natasha Richardson’s death in March. The first film was Clash of the Titans, which is filming over the summer in London. Liam is playing Zeus in that one. From Zeus to Hannibal in A-Team. Whoa.
Liam Neeson is in talks to star as Colonel John ‘Hannibal’ Smith in the long-awaited movie version of the A-Team.
It will be a huge big screen return for the star, who’s still grieving the death of actress wife Natasha Richardson in a freak skiing accident in March.
The movie, based on the massively-popular 1980s TV series, is being produced by Ridley Scott and is slated for release in summer next year.
Film industry bible Variety reports that Liam is currently negotiating his paydeal with movie studio Fox to play the role made famous by George Peppard.
Apparently, the script keeps close to the show’s original premise of four war veterans wrongly convicted of armed robbery who’ve escaped jail to become hero mercenaries.
However, fans of the original Mr T-starring series will be up in arms at the news the makers are planning to get rid of the show’s camp elements and make it more of a slick action movie in a Mission Impossible-style.
[From The Mirror]
It makes a bit more sense now that I hear they’re going to try to make it slick and updated like Mission: Impossible. That could actually work. It might actually be cool instead of some kind of epic career-ending mistake. And if and when Liam does sign on, that will be the signal for higher-quality talent to find the project. Fingers crossed.
I recently rented Taken, and I was pretty impressed with Liam. It wasn’t the best film or anything, but it gave me a lot of pleasure to see Liam doing all of that martial arts/Jason Bourne stuff. Maybe A-Team could be cool? Am I lame for even saying that?
Here’s Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes at the opening night of the Donmar Warehouse Production of “Mary Stuart” in New York City on April 19th. Images thanks to WENN.com .
I HATE to say this, as I love him SO much, but it looks like Liam’s had WAY too much plastic surgery – you can barely see his eyes anymore. Maybe it’s just the juxtaposition but Ralph looks like a ventriliquist’s dummy – not the usual yummy!
George Clooney would make a much better Hannibal. Liam doesn’t suit the role. Brad Pitt could play Murdock, Denzel Washington could play BA, Edward Norton could be Face, Lauren Graham do Amy. Just an idea.
What’s the story with the first photo? Was that taken soon after he lost his wife, or was he plastered? Or maybe recovering from some kind of infection, cuz he looks beyond terrible — he looks broken.
The 2nd photo looks much better, albeit he still looks his age, with thinning hair (or bad hair plugs).
Eighties teen: Good casting, except I’d use Ice Cube instead of Denzel.
I like Liam but I would not want to see him in that roll. Wonder will he play the sympathy card to get the roll.
First off, Denzel in the role of BA, how insulting! Given Liam’s most recent role choices, his desire to do movie version of The A-Team isn’t all that surprising; however, it is extremely disappointing!
Poor Liam hasn’t had a decent movie role since Schindler’s List, IMO. I had the opportunity to see him portray Oscar Wilde on Broadway about ten years ago. He was great in the production, what a disappointment that he was nominated for a Tony, but I think it was all had to do with the timing of the opening of that show.
I read a while back, that he (along with Samuel L. Jackson) had been dubbed one of Hollywood’s laziest actors due to his role choices (my guess that it implied that took any roles offered along with the money and ran, without putting in much effort and/or dignity into the work)
What a pity, Neeson is such a good actor.
Chi McBride for B.A.!!!!!
The A-Team and Knight Rider were my fave shows when I was a kid, along with CHiPs…so I just can’t agree with this casting. I totally think George Clooney would be a better choice, but if they are going to really capture the essence of the original series, then I think they should go with someone like….Mandy Patinkin.
Can’t you see it now?
“Hello….my name is Hannibal Smith….you convicted my friends and I of a crime we did not commit…prepare to be shot at with a million bullets but somehow not even suffer a flesh wound…”
Then they could cast Cary Elwes as Howling Mad Murdock and he could walk around all movie muttering ‘inconceivable’…it’s the joke that writes itself.
Oh man, William Goldman and Rob Reiner are gonna SUE somebody’s ass!
He would be excellent, my other choice would be mr clooney.
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