With Hamilton, the play, being recorded and available to stream on Disney+, Jacob (@Tberry57) and Kenzie (@kenzvanunu) decided to make their selections for the cast of the inevitable Hamilton movie.
For context, they did not care about age of the character or actor/actress portraying them.
Check out Kenzie, Jacob, and the Film Optix crew as they review this movie below!
Director
Our Pick: Barry Jenkins
Thoughts: Barry Jenkins has proven to be able to bring the nuance and subtlety as well as the swagger to really bring this home. With him, you are able to fully capture the intensity and the more dramatic moments as well.
Alexander Hamilton
Originally: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Recast: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Thoughts: Hamilton is Lin-Manuel’s baby so I think it is only right if he gets to reprise the role in the movie version of the play.
Aaron Burr
Originally: Leslie Odom Jr.
Recast: Leslie Odom Jr.
Thoughts: Leslie Odom Jr.’s “Aaron Burr” was the perfect foil to Lin-Manuel’s “Alexander Hamilton”. We couldn’t truly see anyone else in this role.
George Washington
Originally: Chris Jackson
Recast: Forrest Whittaker
Thoughts: Forrest Whittaker has a large and commanding frame that would give him the commanding factor for this role.
Marquis de Lafayette
Originally: Daveed Diggs
Recast: Daveed Diggs
Thoughts: This was the one we fought most on, but it came down to Daveed Diggs just doing too well with the French parts of his music. They moved and flowed so well that I thought Diggs was French. His “anarchy” line was one of the best of the entire musical.
Thomas Jefferson
Originally: Daveed Diggs
Recast: Michael B. Jordan
Thoughts: We have seen Michael B. Jordan play many different roles, and I think this is one that would allow him to fully pull together everything he has done. Being a, sort of, antagonist to Hamilton, while also fighting for the presidency spot. We think Jordan can has the looks and the acting chops to pull this off beautifully.
King George
Originally: Jonathan Groff
Recast: Nicholas Hoult
Thoughts: Nicholas Hoult has already wowed us as a royal Brit in The Favorite, and we think he can bring the perfect level of sternness mixed with satirical humor to bring this role alive on the screen.
Eliza Hamilton
Originally: Phillipa Soo
Recast: Zendaya
Thoughts: Zendaya has the look, the acting ability, the singing ability, and the on-screen presence to bring so much layered emotion to this role. She has been a major actress in Hollywood over the past few years, but I think a role like this could be one for her to really break out as a veteran actress.
Angelica Schuyler
Originally: Renée Elise Goldsberry
Recast: Keke Palmer
Thoughts: Palmer was just in one of the biggest movies of the year in Hustlers, and has a bright future ahead of her. We think she would be perfect here as the older sister of Eliza, and emotional love of Alexander Hamilton.
Phillip Hamilton
Originally: Anthony Ramos
Recast: Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Thoughts: An up and coming actor who has really shown his acting chops, and will get the chance to further on them as performing in one of the saddest moments of the entire play. This role of Phillip reminds me a lot of the character he played in the first half of Waves.
James Madison
Originally: Okieriete Onaodowan
Recast: Bryan Tyree Henry
Thoughts: He has the look down pat, we know he can at least rap, from his time on Atlanta, and he can become a force when he needs to be.
John Laurens
Originally: Anthony Ramos
Recast: Anthony Ramos
Thoughts: This is to please Kenzie, who begged for Anthony Ramos to be here somewhere.
Now look, Kenzie and Jacob don’t ask for much. Just that when this cast does get made into the movie they get credit somewhere. Whether it be a “Thanks” or a Casting credit.
Jacob is a film critic and co-founder of the Music City Drive-In. He is a member of the Music City Film Critics’ Association and specializes in the awards season. You can find him on Twitter @Tberry57.
