I loved both Fletch movies. They completely epitomize Chevy Chase when he was at his best, and years from now will still be the image I have of him. They movies were both dumb… but man they made you howl through the whole thing.
It was with great joy that I heard Kevin Smith was helming a new Fletch project (Fletch Won). A prequel that isn’t really all that connected to the other two films… but that’s ok since the Fletch movies were really more about the character than they were about any story line. The only real question is can Kevin Smith capture the essence of Fletch as brought to live by Chevy Chase again in a new film?
Obviously, as in any character driven endeavor, a big piece of this puzzle will depend on who they cast as Fletch. Here are some of the names floating around right now:
Zach Braff – Appears to be the front runner for the role. The guy is just killer on Scrubs and I honestly think would do a pretty decent job as the Laker wannabe. Word is the studio is big on having him and that he and Kevin Smith have already had a couple of sit downs to discuss the project. For his part, Braff seems to like the idea. This is the way it will probably go… but it’s certainly not in stone.
Jason Lee – Lee has already worked with Smtih on like 5 films. The two have a great working relationship and Kevin Smith has already gone on record saying that Lee would be his personal first choice for the role. Lee would be terrific and I’ve always thought he had a little Chase in him.
Will Smith – Ok ok ok… I know what most of you are thinking. But seriously think about it for a second. Smith’s style of comedic timing would fit right in with the Fletch character. I actually think this would work out. Kevin Smith has mentioned Will Smith more than once when talking about Fletch… so he’s thought about it too.
Some other names that have been dropped are Jimmy Fallon (mistake), Adam Sandler (mistake), Ben Affleck (mistake) and Orlando Bloom (mistake). I like a couple of these guys… but don’t think they would be right for Fletch.
So now it’s your say. Who on this list (or not on this list) could you see playing Fletch and why?
THIS IS OBVIOUS!!!!!!!! WILL FARELL … is almost todays cc. or VAN WILDER… he is even part of the national lampoons crew… WHAT YOU THINK GOOD CHOICE?
james bond.
Have to say after seeing Lee as Earl and I just watched him on Conan Obrian, I mean like five minutes ago I am hoping for him. He is one damn funny guy. I do think Ryan Reynolds could pull it off as well, he’s a funny guy. Braff, well I really like Scrubs and Garden State was genius but I don’t see him in this role, not yet.
Kevin Smith said a long time ago that Jason Lee is no longer in the running for the role…Smith wanted him to play the role and at one point even said that he wouldn’t want to make the movie without Lee….but the studio didn’t want Lee so he is not in the running anymore
but who knows…maybe this new “My Name Is Earl” sitcom is gonna make Lee the superstar he should have been a looooooooong time ago…and then he will be more interesting to the studio
at one point Brad Pitt was also a rumour for the role
Having read every single one of the FLETCH books and knowing how stellar the first film was and how wretched the second was, I’d have to say that I can’t see Braff pulling it off. Heck, even Chase pulled it off with a few glitches, but that’s speaking from the point of view of the novels. Will Smith? I don’t think so. Of what I’ve seen of his comedic timing, I’d have to strongly disagree. The mention of Ryan Reynolds would be an interesting choice.
Jason Lee. Dear god Jason Lee. I love Braff, but this role just screams Lees name. And hopefully My Name Is Earl is successful enough to get him the role.
Ryan Reynolds. He has always seemed to have the same comic timing as Chevy.