Into the Murrayverse

Before judging me for wasting time on this instead of doing my actual post first, just know, I am working on it, but I need to watch all Wallace and Gromit content. 

So, I will treat my readers to what I was talking about when I spent 15 minutes discussing Bill Murray in class a few weeks ago. 

My theory is simple: Bill Murray, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, and Steve Martin fill similar but distinct ecological niches in film. All four are excellent actors with great comedy chops who are often cast in "funny but secretly heartwarming" roles. 

In this post, I will attempt to recall every role I have seen these actors in and decide whether the role could have been successfully executed by a different actor. Please do not comment on films I have not reviewed. I'll just say "That sounds great! I'll put it on the list!". There is no "list" and never has been. 

Steve Martin 

George Banks, Father of the Bride

  

Steve Martin did it best, but I do think everyone could have successfully filled this role. Bill Murray would be the best at being exasperated and Robin Williams can do the overbearing parent (see Mrs. Doubtfire), but Steve Martin has a way of breaking the fourth wall that I think makes this movie. 

 

Freddy Benson, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

I know this movie is not the most inspirational, respectful, uplifting, etc. But I sort of don't feel bad because the victims are rich and ignorant. It also makes me laugh. Steve Martin excels here because his character is a huge jerk. He's definitely the most mean of our actors. Robin Williams is the nicest; he couldn't do this. Bill Murray could, but I'm not sure he's handsome enough. Tom Hanks is too recognizable; he couldn't go undercover because I would just watch this movie thinking "There he is, Tom Hanks scamming rich ladies on the French Riviera". 

Newton Davis, Housesitter

 

Tom Hanks could do this. He has proven himself as a romantic lead in Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail. I think Bill Murray could also do okay because being exasperated works for him and the accidental romance worked well in Groundhog Day. Robin Williams would never have a one night stand; I refuse to believe it. 

Tom Hanks 

Forrest Gump, Forrest Gump

 

Only Tom Hanks could do this. I feel like that's obvious. 

 

Sleepless in Seattle

 

Two unpopular opinions: this movie was not as good as people say it is, and Robin Williams would have been better. Tom Hanks is more handsome, but Robin Williams would have been better as a lonely single dad (again, Mrs. Doubtfire). He has more pathos and it would make more sense why so many women would feel bad for him. Bill Murray probably could have done this pretty well. Steve Martin isn't sympathetic enough.  

 

 Woody, Toy Story

 

Maybe it's just because I've seen this movie so many times, but I'm not sure it could be any different. Tom Hanks has the most cowboy-ish vibes, but maybe that's because I also really loved him in News of the World, another role that I don't think anyone else could have played. 

Joe Fox, You've Got Mail

 

Any of our actors would make a great Joe. It's the right balance of romantic and comedy. Because the character is a big bad businessman, he has to be a little mean, and to win Meg Ryan's heart, he has to be secretly just a big sweetheart. 

Literally every character in The Polar Express

I have no idea why this happened (meaning the entire movie). So, if I were to recast this, I would say Tom Hanks can still be the hobo, but Robin Williams is Santa and the hot chocolate guy, Bill Murray is the conductor, and Steve Martin can be a new character I invented that beats up the boy who's like "HEY DO YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF TRAIN THIS IS?!?!?" 

"No, a sigma male."

Robin Williams

John Keating, Dead Poets Society

 

Absolutely not. This role was made for him.  

Side note: I think it should be illegal for high school teachers to watch this movie. They think they can be him, but they can't.  

 

The Genie, Aladdin

 

This role was literally written with him in mind and the animation is based on his actual movements, so another hard pass.  

 

Daniel Hillard, Mrs. Doubtfire

 

This is one of the most interesting questions yet: could any of our actors pull off drag? Tom Hanks is too skinny and too tall to be a convincing old lady. Steve Martin would maybe do it as a gag, but I don't think he would really commit. Bill Murray? Maybe, for his kids. 

 

Peter Banning, Hook 

 

This is a perfect example of the overlap that all four actors share. A funny dad who is unwittingly thrown into shenanigans but suffers through it all for his beloved kids. They would all kill it. I haven't seen all of Jumanji, but I think it's in the same boat. 

Bill Murray

Phil Connors, Groundhog Day

 

Another rom-com! Robin Williams would be great at this if we trust him to be a jerk at the beginning, same with Steve Martin if we could trust him to be nice at the end. Tom Hanks would do a solid job.

 He also played a number of supporting roles in Wes Anderson movies I've seen, but I feel like it's harder to decide if they aren't the main character. 

So, besides reflections on dogs, this is what has been occupying my brain for about three weeks. Do not ask how long I spent writing this. Expect more posts soon. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go watch Polar Express.