We've been hearing a whole lot of rumors over the past year or two about 20th Century Fox's film version of the popular '80s TV series The A-Team, because so far the rumors have been nightmare-inducing flares of disappointment (Common as B.A. Baracus? Really?) - but we've finally got some casting "confirmations," and things are actually looking pretty promising so far!
Liam Neeson is in negotiations to play Col. John "Hannibal" Smith, the leader of the group, while The Hangover's Bradley Cooper is in early talks to play Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck. The film is said to have a tone closer to Mission: Impossible and Ocean's Eleven than anything of a slapstick-type nature, which is another massive boost for our the hopes for the film.
There's no official word yet on who will play Sgt. "B.A." Baracus, the role that Mr. T made his own - although rumors keep coming back to Common, which would be a waste of potential for such an iconic character (if you saw Terminator Salvation, you know what I mean). The original Baracus, however, nixed the idea of making an appearance in the new film. “I am not going to be in the movie for no cameo stuff,” Mr. T said. “I ain’t got nothing against [producers Spike Seldin, Marc Silvestri, Alex Young and returning series creator Stephen J. Cannell] picking someone for the movie, but it’s insulting me to ask me to be in it. It’s just like my ex-girlfriend saying ‘Why don’t you come out to dinner with my new boyfriend?’ You see what I mean? I am not going to do that.”
The man who defined and embodies the spirit of the ornery, helicopter-hating B.A. Baracus has no interest in playing a different character, such as the standard mentor-type role remakes tend to offer original players, either. “I know about two things: ‘Rocky III’ and Clubber Lang, and ‘A-Team’ and B.A. Baracus. That’s who I am!”
Woody Harrelson has also been discussed as the possible actor for the role of resident lunatic Murdock (the part seems made for Jim Carrey, but who am I to say?).
Neeson, fresh off the back of the global success of Taken, also recently completed two other films, Chloe and Clash of the Titans. He's keeping busy after the recent untimely death of his wife, 45 year-old actress Natasha Richardson.
