Lion hopes Martin's in the 'Pink'
Studio expects to be negotiating with thesp shortly
http://www.variety.com/index.asp?lay...&categoryId=13
By MICHAEL FLEMING

Martin

MGM has offered Steve Martin the lead role in "Birth of the Pink Panther," hoping that Martin will spearhead the rebirth of the comic franchise originated by Peter Sellers. Len Blum wrote the script for Montecito partners Ivan Reitman and Tom Pollock. MGM's Toby Jaffe is shepherding the pic. Studio sources said they expect discussions to turn to negotiations shortly.

Sources close to Martin aren't as convinced, because the actor-turned-author is unsure if he wants to tackle such a well-formed and famous character, made famous by Sellers. But a big payday would be in the offing, and if a deal can be worked out Martin would star in the film in 2004.

MGM has been trying for years to rebirth the "Pink Panther" franchise, which placed bumbling crime fighter Inspector Clouseau in high-level crime situations that always resulted in strong pratfall and farcical comedy.

Blum's prequel script has the inept sleuth assigned to solve the murder of the nation's soccer team coach while investigating the disappearance of the legendary Pink Panther diamond. That bauble, the national treasure of the Eastern state of Lugash, frequently disappeared in the earlier Panther pics.

The studio once courted Mike Myers for the Clouseau role but balked at paying him $20 million. More recently, the studio did a reading with "Rush Hour" star Chris Tucker.

Martin, who just published his latest novel "The Pleasure of My Company," would seem a natural to play Clouseau, both because of his impeccable physical comedy skills and because of renewed bankability from the smash comedy "Bringing Down the House."

Martin followed "Bringing Down the House" by toplining the remake of "Cheaper by the Dozen," and is starring with Claire Danes in the Anant Tucker-directed "Shopgirl," an adaptation of Martin's novella.

When I read the thread title, I thought you were referring to Roberto Benigni as I had troubel picturing him play Clouseau. I could be mistaken, but the impression I've gotten from Martin over the last ten fifteen years (from his roles, his plays and his writing) is that he's above this sort of broad humor. I would be really shocked if he was to do this role.



EDIT: Oh yeah. I just remembered that Benigni did do a Pink Panther movie. I never saw it though.
I could see Martin playing whoever the evil crime boss Clouseau was investigating though.

I could see Rowan Atkinson playing Clouseau.

Chris Tucker!?!?! WTF?

It's like the NFL. You've gotta at least interview at least one minority for the position.

Rowan Atkinson, I could go for that also.
Steve Martin, as much as I like him, does seem to have 'matured' in his comedic style recently; I don't know if he would be a good fit for Clouseau. Of course, I can't really think of anyone else who would be. Please God, not Ashton Kutcher or Colin Farrell. Hollywood has tried to cram those two into virtually any movie in the last three years, regardless how poorly they may fit the character.
I don't know what he's done recently, but I've always thought MadTV's Will Sasso has a bit of Bean/Clouseau/earlyChevyChase like physical comedy style to him, without it being obvious like it is for, say, Jack Black or Chris Farley.

You'd think Martin would have learned his lesson with Sgt. Bilko.

Meanwhile, the Pink Panther's casting worsens.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...pink_panther_1

Duo hot on the trail of 'Pink Panther' remake
Thu Mar 4, 7:00 PM ET

MICHAEL FLEMING

MGM is in talks with Beyonce Knowles to play the chief suspect in a diamond heist in "The Pink Panther" and has tapped French star Jean Reno ("Ronin") to play Inspector Clouseau's traveling companion.

Steve Martin plays the comical French detective as he bumbles through the investigation to find the legendary "Pink Panther" diamond ring.

Reno will play his driver Ponton, who's secretly an undercover cop assigned by the boss to keep an eye on Clouseau. Knowles is eyeing the role of Xania, a pop singer whose suddenly dead boyfriend owned the rock.

"Panther" pic, which began with a Len Blum script, is now prepping after Martin turned in a polish of the script. Shawn Levy ("Cheaper by the Dozen") is directing. Ivan Reitman (news) and Tom Pollock produce. MGM's Toby Jaffe is steering the pic.

Reno, best known in the U.S. for "The Professional," last filmed the French films "Crimson Rivers 2" and "Empire of the Wolves." Knowles debuted in "Austin Powers in Goldmember" and starred in "The Fighting Temptations."

WTH? Jean Reno as his driver Ponton? Where's Cato?




If anything, Reno should be Sergeant Deudeux from the cartoon series.

Not sure if Martin is the right choice to play Closeau. He's very good, but this would need a perfect lead.

Rowan Atkinson: Hilarious, but not right at all.

Mike Myers -

Beyonce -

Chris Tucker - Don't even eff around like that.

No Cato -

I just cringe at thought of any Pink Panther movie without Sellers. I wish they would just let this franchise rest, and move on to something new.

I agree with ToddSM66. Peter Sellers cannot be replaced.

However...

If they insist on making this travesty of a remake, the casting directors ought to find people more suitable to the roles.

I love Rowan Atkinson, but he's not right for the part. Christopher Barry (Rimmer from Red Dwarf) would make a fantastic Clouseau. Not only does he have great comedic timing, but he does one hell of a French accent. Watch him in Blackadder III sometime. He plays an Evil French Revolutionary in that one, and is completely hilarious.

("All those lies about French being great lovers... I'm French and I'm built like two peas and a baby carrot!")

Will Sasso would be great as the Chief Inspector. He's got that evil blundering quality that the Chief Inspector had.

I'm not sure who could play Kato. I'd be all for finding someone unknown. If Jackie Chan were younger, he'd be pretty amusing.

Hollywood just HAS to mess with the classics, don't they

The worst part is that there have already been four Pink Panther/Inspector Clouseau movies without Peter Sellers - and each one has been a miserable failure.

Inspector Clouseau
Trail of the Pink Panther
Curse of the Pink Panther
Son of the Pink Panther


Why can't they learn?


Steve Martin was unable to replace Phil Silvers as Sgt. Bilko - there is just no way he can replace Peter Sellers either.

You missed the first sequel, A Shot in the Dark.

A shot in the Dark definitely had Peter Sellers in it.

yeah me too, I totally hate steve martin, I will be passing on this movie

Steve Martin?!?

That's like having Pauly Shore play Bond. Sellers is gone. Let him rest.

Who greenlights these ideas? Can't they go to a bookstore and throw a dart? There are plenty of under circulated stories out there.

make it stop

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...ilm_kline_dc_1

Kline on Case of 'Pink Panther'
Fri Mar 19, 2:55 AM ET Add Movies - Reuters to My Yahoo!

By Chris Gardner

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Kevin Kline is in negotiations to team up with Steve Martin in "The Pink Panther," which also stars R&B singer Beyonce Knowles and French veteran Jean Reno.

Director Shawn Levy ("Cheaper by the Dozen") starts shooting the MGM project in May in New York, followed by Paris.

Kline will play Chief Inspector Dreyfus, who needs an idiot to take over the investigation of the missing legendary "Pink Panther" diamond ring. The person he needs is a fool who will divert public attention that in turn will make him look better when he solves the case himself. He then turns to Inspector Clouseau (Martin).

In the "Pink Panther" films, Dreyfus was played by Herbert Lom, who originated the role in 1964's "A Shot in the Dark."

Kline next appears on the big screen as Cole Porter in "De-lovely," an MGM biopic based on the life of the legendary musician. The film is scheduled to unspool in May at Cannes.

What? Now I like Kevin and all, but he is no Herbert Lom!

Martin & Kline should switch roles.

So i guess Beyonce will be playing some kind of spy who's undercover as a singer, when will they learn, the lady has the personality of a piece of wood.

I could see Gary Oldham has Clousseau he seems to have that versitility. Mayeb Ricky Gervais of The Office could play a goof bumbling clueless Clouseau.

I still don't get the appeal of The Pink Panther Franchise but with that said I'm sure Martin wil do a good job.

i wouldn't mind having Lee Evans take a stab at the role. If all else fails, i bet Depp could pull it off.

Him?!?!?!