Bob Garlen Presents: FALLING DOWN Remake Fancast

Falling Down is a 1993 film directed by (the late) Joel Schumacher, telling the story of an ordinary man pushed too far, going on a rampage acting out the frustration and injustice he's suffered due to a society evolving to nurture apathy. It's a movie that I feel is more tonally relevant then ever. The original film starred the Michael Douglas (Ant-Man) as the socially wronged William Foster and Robert Duvall (Apocalypse Now) as the retiring Lt. Martin Pendergast.

William Foster is a daytime accountant at a failing Los Angeles firm, after suffering a layoff as well as a recent divorce he makes a trek of rampage and carnage on the city of L.A. as decades of pent up rage has taken it's hold over Foster. As he marches forward, retiring Lt. Martin Pendergast will stop at nothing to prevent Foster's rampage from going to far, as he begins chasing Foster's appearances the city, he begins to question the validity of Foster's claims, and whether the world has changed on him as well.

 

 

Composer: A film score (also sometimes called film music, background music, or incidental music) is original music written specifically to accompany a film. The score forms part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects, and comprises a number of orchestral, instrumental or choral pieces called cues which are timed to begin and end at specific points during the film in order to enhance the dramatic narrative and the emotional impact of the scene in question.

     Tyler Bates [Notable Works: John Wick {Film Series}, The Punisher, Deadpool 2]: His scores are wonderful and burn into your memory. His John Wick theme is iconic, his music in The Punisher is emotionally resonant, and his Deadpool 2 score is a humorous adrenaline fueled fun. His work is perfect to take something as complicated as Falling Down and refine it and re-invent the tension filled score for modern times. It would be a different breed of music for Tyler to handle, in terms of tone and style but it's something he would accel at. 

    

Screenwriters: A screenplay or script is a written work by screenwriters for a film, video game or television program. These screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated. A play for television is also known as a teleplay.

    Scott Silver & Todd Phillips [Notable Works {As a Writing Team}: Joker, Hulk Hogan {Untitled Biopic}]: After their wonderful work on Joker, it's really hard - almost impossible - to think of a pair of writers better suited to take the themes, spirit, and message of Falling Down and bring it to modern times. They get the sense of personal isolation and hopelessness that the original radiates and it would be the perfect kind of film for them to tackle.

    

Director: A film director is a person who directs the making of a film. Generally, a film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the script while guiding the technical crew and actors in the fulfillment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, production design, and the creative aspects of filmmaking.

    Todd Phillips [Notable Works: War Dogs, Joker, Hulk Hogan {Untitled Biopic}]: After seeing Joker, I have wanted to see Phillips to tackle this. He created a very different kind of film from most of what is being made and brought a unique and visionary lens to Arthur's story. Seeing him taking William's story and really evolve it to evoke modern times would be absolutely justifiable for a remake. Phillips work says that he would get the material and do something wonderful with it and I certainly want to see it.

    

William Foster [Height: 5' 10", Age: 50's]: An accountant at a failing L.A. Firm, recently laid off, still reeling from a divorce. He finds himself attacked personally and indirectly as his status in society is challenged causing him to go on a rampage through the city as he returns home, intent on taking his life back.

    Bryan Cranston [Height: 5' 11", Age: 64, Notable Works: Breaking Bad, Trumbo, Your Honor]: Cranston is a wonderful, almost legendary actor. His work on Breaking Bad redefined what he can do as an actor and Trumbo showed he can play in a bigger field. Cranston routinely seeks characters wildly different from anything he's played before and that makes him perfect for a character like Foster. Foster is a character who might tangentially resemble Walter White, but in a deeper look his views his actions and his overall philosophy are so different that it would allow Cranston to create a brand new character out of it. 

    

Lt. Martin Pendergast [Height: 5' 9", Age: 60's]: A retiring Cop, who's spent forty years in the city without incident. Facing challenges on his last day, he comes across Foster's rampage and makes it his mission to try and resolve the issue before lives are lost. As he witnesses Foster's actions he begins to question his own stance and his own place in society. 

    J.K. Simmons [Height: 5' 10", Age: 65, Notable Works: Oz, Whiplash, Counterpart]: He was the first person I've thought of. His dry natured characters, wonderful performances, and overall presence is absolutely wanted for Pendergast. He's a strong actor that bring a natural intensity to his performances and seeing him play someone who's the opposite of that intensity, that tries to take it easy, would garner a unique performance from Simmons. 

    

Beth Trevino [Height: 5' 5", Age: 50's]: Foster's ex-wife, who's divorce sent Foster into a dangerous financial spiral. Worried about Foster's oncoming arrival, she contacts the police for help and quickly learns to come to terms with the choices she's made in inspiring Foster's rampage. 

    Marisa Tomei [Height: 5' 5", Age: 56, Notable Works: The Wrestler, The Big Short, The King of Staten Island]: She's one of my favorite actresses. She has a way of playing compassion and honesty that stands out. She can really bring the heart out in her performances in a way that captures the eyes and hearts of the Audience, making her absolutely perfect to play Foster's Ex-Wife Beth.

    

Adele Trevino-Foster [Height: 5' 3", Age: 20's]: Foster's daughter in college. When she hears of her father's rampage she races back home in hopes of calming him down and helping resolve the incident peacefully. 

    Jodelle Ferland [Height: 5' 2", Age: 26, Notable Works: Silent Hill, Case 39, Dark Matter]: One of the most radical changes in this version would see Foster's daughter be a college student instead of a young child. Jodelle is a wonderful actress who's done some terrific work but hasn't been in anything quite as resonate, relevant, and as controversial as this and it would be a wonderful opportunity for her to step out of her usual roles and showcase her talent. 

    

Lt. Sandra Torres [Height: 5' 7", Age: 30's]: Pendergast's Partner, a L.A. Officer who's still got a sense of optimism for what she can contribute and inspire in her local community. Pendergast has taught her much but she begins to wander if she's going to fall into the same pessimist rut her mentor lives in.

    Genesis Rodriguez [Height: 5' 7", Age: 33, Notable Works: Man on a Ledge, Big Hero 6, The Fugitive]: She's a fun actress that I want to see do more serious and bigger roles. This would be a good opportunity for her to make a name in a leading role for more dramatic and action oriented roles. 

    

Captain William "Bill" Yardley [Height: 6' 0", Age: 70's]: An aging captain of the L.A.P.D. who fails to recognize the faces of the officers serving under him and the world under him. Recognizing the world isn't as it was, he has to question what his life has amounted too, while trying to convince Pendergast to stay.

    Danny Glover [Height: 6' 4", Age: 74, Notable Works: Lethal Weapon {Film Series}, The Rainmaker, The Drummer]: I love Danny, and just want to see him do more. He'd be great to step into a role like this and really mix between caring about the officers under him and exhausted by the world and how it's changed. 

    

Amanda Pendergast [Height: 5' 4", Age: 60's]: Martin's wife, a woman who's spent the last twenty years suffering depression due to the death of their infant daughter. Her issues take a toll on her and Martin as she becomes prone to violent mood swings, and her desperation to leave L.A. behind being the impetuous for Martin's retirement from the force. She begins blurring the lines between Obsessive and caring as her issues continue to plague her during such a heated climate as Foster's rampage begins to affect the many citizens of L.A.

    Robin Wright [Height: 5' 6", Age: 54, Notable Works: The Princess Bride, Forrest Gump, House of Cards]: She's a phenomenal actress, she gives a weight and a spirit to her characters that have made her legendary. Her roles as morally ambiguous figures makes her perfect to take a role like this hammer home the character's issues and lashing out in a variety of different and ambiguous ways.