10. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, starring Denzel as Qui-Gon Jinn
To be fair, Liam Neeson wasn’t given much to work with in a role that’s really only memorable because Neeson played it. Denzel could bring a great quiet dignity to the role and develop a tender relationship with young Anakin Skywalker.
9. The Da Vinci Code, starring Denzel as Robert Langdon
Tom Hanks is perfectly serviceable as Langdon, but I think we can all agree it’s not a home-run performance. Denzel would lend palpable genius, innate credibility, and a better haircut to a role that’s roughly analogous to a contemporary Indiana Jones.
8. North by Northwest, starring Denzel as Roger Thornhill
For my money, the second-best Hitchcock film (after Psycho) needs no revision, since I get an elevated heart rate just thinking about the last time I saw it. But Denzel has carved out a career niche playing men against time, men driven on a mission inflicted upon them. Cary Grant was sufficiently harried, but imagine Denzel out of his element, running from an airplane through a cornfield.
7. Fahrenheit 451, starring Denzel as Guy Montag
I’m aware that there’s an HBO remake in the offing, likely to address some of the shortcomings of the Truffaut adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s novel, and while I haven’t seen any casting information I submit Denzel for the part of a man whose firm convictions are overturned as his worldview alters dynamically. Gone would be the glassy-eyed stare of Oskar Werner; let Denzel emote his way through this American classic.
6. Harvey, starring Denzel as Elwood P. Dowd
It’s a fairly kooky concept – presumed insanity in the form of an imaginary giant rabbit friend – but if anyone could make be believe in an invisible bunny, it’s Denzel.
5. Licence to Kill, starring Denzel as James Bond
I agonized over this one – I’d love to see Denzel as James Bond, even though he’s not British, and I think he’d be more believable as a seasoned Bond than a novice 007, so something like Casino Royale was out. But Denzel as an espionage veteran out for revenge, infiltrating cartels and destroying them from within using little more than his wits? Step aside, Idris Elba – make mine Denzel.
4. 12 Angry Men, starring Denzel as Juror #8
This perfect film has already been remade once, but something tells me Denzel could do more with the material than Jack Lemmon (who, let’s be fair, is a titan in his own right). If you need to cast a man who can change eleven recalcitrant minds by the force of his own convictions, what about that doesn’t demand Denzel?
3. Dirty Harry, starring Denzel as Harry Callahan
No one does grizzled like Clint Eastwood, but Denzel has had success in the past playing cops on the edge, law enforcement officers with their own unique codes of justice. I’d love to hear him do the “I know what you’re thinking” speech
2. Casablanca, starring Denzel as Rick Blaine
It’s horrifyingly inevitable that someone, somewhere will remake what is by most accounts one of the most perfect of the perfect films. So if it must be done, put it in the most capable hands and let Denzel lead. Lost love, garrulous barkeep, cynical yet soft-hearted – Rick is a complicated character, and Denzel has the chops to pull it off. Heck, Denzel could be a lock for any Humphrey Bogart vehicle – The Maltese Falcon, Key Largo, Sabrina, The Caine Mutiny...
1. Batman, starring Denzel as Batman
I don’t need to say more here, do I?
Sound off in the Comments – what would you like to see Denzel remake?
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