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Post by wallsofjericho on Mar 1, 2021 12:10:24 GMT
Inspired by Maria Helena's thread on De Niro and Pacino, which roles of Jeff Bridges do you think Hanks could have played and vice versa.
I know Bridges was offered Hank's role in Big but that role feels so unique to Hanks just like Forrest Gump and A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood that they can't be done any better.
I could see Hanks do a role like Fearless and The Contender but I can't see him doing roles like Hell or High Water or True Grit. I think Bridges fairs a bit better in that I could see him in Road to Perdition, Catch Me if You Can, Philadelphia.
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Post by pacinoyes on Mar 1, 2021 12:31:57 GMT
Great idea to keep such comparisons going.......these 2 guys are contenders for the best film actor of that "80s generation" group - or that same age range anyway (Bridges can be put in the 1970s) but they are closer in age than Bridges is to the 70s guys.
They are GREAT to compare because Bridges really is "an alternative" actor to that whole group of 80s 2 time Oscar winners - you can't just measure him by their culture of success - he triumphs slyly, uniquely, in an "off-brand" kind of way.
Just to pick 2 I'd like to see them swap:
Hanks could have played Tucker ....and maybe been great at it......Bridges would have turned many Hanks "noble" roles into something nuanced and more interesting - Hanks in Road to Perdition is a botch to me (the movie is too, thanxforasking!) Bridges would be stupendous here I reckon.....he has a way of setting the arc for his characters just off of center and - which Hanks to me misses entirely this time and weirdly too stiffly, solemnly......I don't think Bridges would have missed out on a sad humor that is actually on the page.
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Post by pupdurcs on Mar 1, 2021 12:43:26 GMT
I personally don't really see these two as particularly similar or comparable actors. They both have an easy likeability, but that's about it. But I feel you can say that about a lot of movie stars. Matthew McConaughey has more in common with Jeff Bridges as an actor than Hanks, imho. Especially when he was younger, sex appeal was a big part of Bridges arsenal in a way it never was for Hanks, so a lot of Bridges roles (like The Fabulous Baker Boys or even Starman) are off the table for Hanks (yet McConaughey could do most of those Bridges roles).
I always saw Michael Keaton more as Hanks darker alternate, and they share more similarities as actors, though Hanks is a more effortless everyman and Keaton is way better at darkness and cynicism. I'd even say Will Smith is more like Hanks than Bridges is. I see Hanks doing the Genie in Aladdin like Smith.
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Post by franklin on Mar 1, 2021 13:39:07 GMT
Hanks in Crazy Heart and the Dude in The Big Lebowski
Bridges in Saving Private Ryan and Cast Away.
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Post by stephen on Mar 1, 2021 13:54:21 GMT
I don't know if I would say Bridges is as analogous to Hanks as De Niro is to Pacino, as I think that despite their innate likability, they use those tools in markedly different ways. But sure, let's give it a shot:
BRIDGES ROLES HANKS COULD HAVE PLAYED:
* Starman (honestly, that would be a heartbreaking performance if you had Splash-era Hanks in that part)
* Tucker: The Man and His Dream
* The Fisher King (would've been quite interesting to see Hanks against Williams)
* K-PAX (still would've sucked, though)
* Seabiscuit
* The Men Who Stare At Goats (I know that role is so intrinsic to Bridges's aged hippie dynamic, but Hanks I think would've had some fun with it)
* Bad Times at the El Royale (I do think it would've been a different take, but I can imagine Hanks in the diner scene with Erivo talking about his encroaching dementia and it crushes me)
HANKS ROLES BRIDGES COULD HAVE PLAYED:
* The 'Burbs (I think he would've been a bit steelier than Hanks and brought more of a gravitas to the character; we would not have had the awesome Hanks freakouts but I think Bridges would've been fun)
* Turner and Hooch
* A League of Their Own
* Saving Private Ryan (obviously it would've had to have been made 5-10 years earlier, but Bridges would've done very well with this part, as I think that the role of Captain Miller offers a lot for a great actor to imprint their own presence and foibles onto)
* Road to Perdition (I really think this one would've been incredible, imagining it now, and I say that as someone who likes Hanks in the film. Imagine Newman facing down with Bridges!)
* News of the World (I mean, duh)
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Post by stephen on Mar 1, 2021 13:55:48 GMT
I always saw Michael Keaton more as Hanks darker alternate, and they share more similarities as actors, though Hanks is a more effortless everyman and Keaton is way better at darkness and cynicism. I really, really like this comparison. Not only that, but Keaton has a fair amount of films in his arsenal that you could totally see as Tom Hanks vehicles ( My Life is pretty much his Philadelphia, for example; ditto Spotlight and The Post). |
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Post by rhodoraonline on Mar 1, 2021 16:26:53 GMT
Indie off-center and gritty westerner are the two characteristics that stand out to me in Bridges. Hanks on the other hand is more successful as both an everyman with character and courage and a more straigt-shooting comedic leading man. So I don't see much comparison. However I do know for sure that both are masterful performers to the extent that they would have put their memorable stamps on each others' memorable ways to with both edging each other out in their own strengths.
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Post by TerryMontana on Mar 1, 2021 16:56:17 GMT
Hanks could have done a fine job in The Fisher King and Tucker, I guess.
Bridges I'm pretty sure would have made it if he starred in Cast Away and (very obviously imo) in News of the World !
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Post by jakesully on Mar 4, 2021 21:12:18 GMT
I don't know if I would say Bridges is as analogous to Hanks as De Niro is to Pacino, as I think that despite their innate likability, they use those tools in markedly different ways. But sure, let's give it a shot: BRIDGES ROLES HANKS COULD HAVE PLAYED:* Starman (honestly, that would be a heartbreaking performance if you had Splash-era Hanks in that part) * Tucker: The Man and His Dream* The Fisher King (would've been quite interesting to see Hanks against Williams) * K-PAX (still would've sucked, though) * Seabiscuit* The Men Who Stare At Goats (I know that role is so intrinsic to Bridges's aged hippie dynamic, but Hanks I think would've had some fun with it) * Bad Times at the El Royale (I do think it would've been a different take, but I can imagine Hanks in the diner scene with Erivo talking about his encroaching dementia and it crushes me) HANKS ROLES BRIDGES COULD HAVE PLAYED:* The 'Burbs (I think he would've been a bit steelier than Hanks and brought more of a gravitas to the character; we would not have had the awesome Hanks freakouts but I think Bridges would've been fun) * Turner and Hooch* A League of Their Own* Saving Private Ryan (obviously it would've had to have been made 5-10 years earlier, but Bridges would've done very well with this part, as I think that the role of Captain Miller offers a lot for a great actor to imprint their own presence and foibles onto) * Road to Perdition (I really think this one would've been incredible, imagining it now, and I say that as someone who likes Hanks in the film. Imagine Newman facing down with Bridges!) * News of the World (I mean, duh) Outstanding write up . Picturing Bridges in The Burbs would have been even funnier. |
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