106 replies to this topic

[Lady Templar]

Ben Stiller and Steve Coogan will star in a feature remake of 1971 British TV series The Persuaders, with DreamWorks Pictures, Hyde Park and Granada America partnered on the film, reports Variety.

Stiller will play the role originated by Tony Curtis, and British comic actor Coogan will take on Roger Moore's part.

The series, which aired in the U.S. on ABC and in the U.K. for a season, revolved around the adventures of two rich playboys. Curtis was the street-smart millionaire from the Bronx, Moore the upper cruster.

From comingsoon.net - June 7, 2005

Any opinion?

[marktmurphy]

Coogan's been touting this around for a while (with the same names). I'd be surprised if Stiller is involved, although they are chums.

[David Schofield]

Missed opportunity.

A blockbuster would have been better - how many in the USA remember the Persuaders or even watched it first time. It needs Paramount behind Tom Cruise and Hugh Grant otherwise it'll be nothing.

Cruise and Grant. Cant you see it?

[Turn]

How do you react to this news? Can it really be anything like the original, and why bother anyway? Like David Schofield said, who remembers the Persuaders in the U.S. outside of a few fans?

The Persuaders is a cult series and a pretty small cult series at that. It's remembered more as a pretty big failure than as a series that never got its due or anything.

I'd be curious to see the results, but at this point my hopes aren't very high. My guess is the majority of people will think this is an original concept and the whole thing will be looked at that way. I guess there really are a few things ripe for parody for those familiar with the series, so there could be some fun there.

[Lady Templar]

I'm totally against the idea. Look at "The Saint" with Ian Ogilvy and Val Kilmer... Ogilvy is an excellent actor but couldn't replace Roger Moore. Just impossible. And ditto for "The Persuaders".

Roger Moore told about this: "I know the people who bought the rights, so have to be careful! I think it could work again, with the right casting and storylines. We'll just have to wait and see ... I have told the producers that I am available(and cheap"). "

[Righty007]

OMG! My wish has finally come true!

[Bondian]

Sounds like another 'Starsky and Hutch' attempt to bring a television series to the big screen.

I'm well surprised that a studio would risk millions on another TV to film.

What made 'The Persuaders' good was Roger and Tony's screen presence and their improvisations.

I cannot stand Steve Coughan, and I suspect this will be an instant failure.

It's fun watching all these British television series turned into movies and going nowhere. When will they learn that the likes of 'The Magic Roundabout' only worked to a young audience in the 60's and 70's?.

I will be avoiding this like the plague.

[Skudor]

...
Cruise and Grant. Cant you see it?

Hugh Grant is probably the only decent alternative to replace Roger Moore. I think Tony Curtis is the easier one to replace, not sure Cruise would be needed. Ben Stiller is probably not a bad choice.

What about Michael Caine and Steve Martin...

I liked the series, for Roger if nothing else. A remake might be fun.

Coogan was great as Alan Partridge. But that's as far as it goes, I'm afraid.

[Tanger]

I'd prefer to see Vince Vaughn in the Tony Curtis role but I think Stiller could do a good job. He's not one of my favourite actors though.

[Lady Templar]

Here is the link to the full story:

Coogan steps into Moore's shoes for Persuaders movie

[David Schofield]

Here is the link to the full story:

Coogan steps into Moore's shoes for Persuaders movie

Anybody get the feeling that very soon we'll find out Stiller's not involved with the project and that if it does get made it'll end up being a Granada-HBO-type co-production starring Coogan and some American TV star in his summer break as a TV/cable movie?

I mean who the he'll wants to finiance Coogan on the big screen as suave, comedic Roger Moore-type after Around the World...?

[Mr. Somerset]

I'm totally against the idea. Look at "The Saint" with Ian Ogilvy and Val Kilmer... Ogilvy is an excellent actor but couldn't replace Roger Moore. Just impossible. And ditto for "The Persuaders".

Roger Moore told about this: "I know the people who bought the rights, so have to be careful! I think it could work again, with the right casting and storylines. We'll just have to wait and see ... I have told the producers that I am available(and cheap"). "

I agree (although I do like Ogilvy). This new Persuaders sounds completely stupid. Don't know much about Coogan or whoever, but Stiller gives me a headache. Hollywood really enjoys destroying the classics theys days.

[Mister Asterix]

I'm totally against the idea. Look at "The Saint" with Ian Ogilvy and Val Kilmer... Ogilvy is an excellent actor but couldn't replace Roger Moore. Just impossible. And ditto for "The Persuaders".

I always thought Ogilvy was a better Simon Templar than Moore. I quite liked George Sanders too.

[Skudor]

I'd prefer to see Vince Vaughn in the Tony Curtis role but I think Stiller could do a good job. He's not one of my favourite actors though.

Would have mentioned Vaughn too, but couldn't remember his name... agree completely, although I do like Stiller.

[Lady Templar]

Interesting to see the results of this poll. We posted the same one yesterday on roger-moore.com before to learn about this news. What a coincidence !
And I voted NO...

[mccartney007]

If you did it right it could be an excellent idea. Unfortunately, we all know that it is highly unlikely that this will be any good if it happens. Ben Stiller? Kill me now.

[Bon-san]

Ben Stiller? Kill me now.

LOL!

The likes of Vince Vaughn definitely preferred.

[rogermoore007]

If it's better than Starsky and Hutch, then fine but they can never recapture the chemistry and charisma and just what a great team Moore and Curtis made. But I think two different actors (no idea who though) other than Stiller and Coogan might certainly be needed to make it viewable. I don't know...personally I'd much rather watch the original episodes over and over again than watch a remake but if it was going to be at least adequate I'd watch it.

[mccartney007]

Ben Stiller? Kill me now.

LOL!

The likes of Vince Vaughn definitely preferred.

I dislike him just as much, actually.

[Bon-san]

Ben Stiller? Kill me now.

LOL!

The likes of Vince Vaughn definitely preferred.

I dislike him just as much, actually.

He might do a fair Tony Curtis.

Nevertheless, I'm in the "no" camp for remaking this.

[fatima]

Pierce Brosnan would be perfect for Lord Brett Sinclair........that's if he's out of work next year of course

How about Will Smith as Danny Wild?

[rogermoore007]

Actually a few Saint websites mention Pierce as a possible candidate to don the halo as Simon Templar in a future TV or even movie series.

Edited by rogermoore007, 07 June 2005 - 06:55 PM.

[mccartney007]

I think Pierce could do a fine job as Brett, but I don't think either Vaughn or Stiller are suitable for Danny. I don't know who would be appropriate for Tony Curtis' character as Tony is such a unique personality.

I would rather this project just didn't happen.

[mccartney007]

And Coogan is no Brett Sinclair either, I might add.

[rogermoore007]

I agree. Neither of the two actors mentioned for Brett and Danny even come close to being good for the part. Ben Stiller's funny and all that but could he play Danny? No. You're right mccartney007, tony curtis is very hard to replace. Roger Moore is also hard to capture and Coogan would've been my last choice. I think Pierce could do an adequate job. Overall the Persuaders remake should probably just be forgotten about but I do think Pierce could do a good Saint remake (TV or movie) a la his wonderful portrayal of Remington Steele but I don't know if there are currently any plans for it.

[TheSaint]

This would be the only time that Hugh Grant would be suitable for a role previously played by Roger. As for Danny, he's probably too expensive now but, once upon a time Tom Hanks would've made a perfect Danny Wilde.

[Qwerty]

I don't really know if I can form an accurate opinion on this as I don't know as much about The Persuaders! as say, The Saint. I hope it turns out to be entertaining.

[hrabb04]

Will Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, and/or Vince Vaughan have parts? If so, I am there.

[Bondian]

Why don't they just get Roger and Tony back.

Years ago, I thought of a fairly good plot that would get them back together. They'd start by accidentally meeting up, and going through a similar car chase like the one in episode #1 'Overture'.

"Gotta Get Away!".

I can tell you a little story about Tony Hatch.

[Righty007]

"Gotta Get Away"

I can tell you a little story about Tony Hatch. 

I love that song!