Director quits 'Dallas' movie because unhappy with casting choices

[MaryJane]

Director Robert Luketic has abruptly quit the big screen remake of the hit 1980s TV show Dallas, because he was unhappy with some of the casting choices.

The Legally Blonde film-maker was set to start shooting in October (06) and key cast members are still being finalised.

Among those actors already on board to play members of the Ewing clan are John Travolta as jr, Jennifer Lopez as Sue Ellen, Luke Wilson as Bobby, and Shirley MacLaine as Miss Ellie.

A source tells US magazine People that the director was unhappy with some of the studio's choices for the roles and decided to walk away from the film.

No details were given regarding which stars the director objected to.

Doctor Dolittle director Betty Thomas is being considered as a possible replacement for Luketic.

femalefirst.co.uk

[CherryDarling]

Hmmmm, well he directed Jello in Monster-In-Law...............wonder if there were problems?

[aabbcc]

I loved Dallas. I still watch the repeats on tv.

I am not thrilled with some of those casting choices either.

[Barbara]

John Travolta as jr

I could have told him right from the start it was a wrong choice

[CherryDarling]

My friend and I have been trying to come up with the ideal Dallas cast, since we were all Dallas junkies back in the day and we're having trouble...what do y'all think?

[aabbcc]

I can't picture anyone but Larry Hagman playing J.R. Ewing. Some roles just shouldn't be recast.

[ourmaninBusan]

Among those actors already on board to play members of the Ewing clan
are John Travolta as jr , Jennifer Lopez as Sue Ellen , Luke Wilson as Bobby , and Shirley MacLaine as Miss Ellie .

Director Robert What's-His-Name isn't the only one with problems.
I have problems with all of them.

Three words: Larry. F#cking. Hagman.

[lalala]

Donald Trump as JR, Paris Hilton as Lucy, the skankiest cast is a must here , it's obvious - Throw in Martha Stewart too, Britney, Federline, whatevever...who wouldn't want to see that?

[NurseNoir]

The perfect cast for "Dallas" has already been assembled... ON THE ORIGINAL SHOW! WHY, WHY, WHYYYYYY do we need this movie???? Hell, I hated it when they recast Miss Ellie after Barbara Bel Geddes died. That was just wrong! This remake, as with so many others, simply should not be made. What's wrong with these movie-making dweebs? I guess no one has original ideas any more.
DON'T. MESS. WITH. DALLAS.
That is all.

[Rogue]

I don't unerstand how they can think jlo and JT will work well as Sue Ellen and JR, that relationship was so fundamental to the series.

If they're hell bent on doing this film, then Travolta as JR I think can work, but not that strumpet as Sue Ellen!!

[LynnieD]

Originally Posted by aabbcc

I loved Dallas. I still watch the repeats on tv.

I am not thrilled with some of those casting choices either.

Me too!! LOVED it! And I too still watch repeats whenever possible! Just the campiest, hokiest, guilty pleasure TV show ever!!

I just think the whole thing should be scratched....its not going to work out.

[Lobelia]

Jennifer Lopez? wtf wtf wtf????

I could see Tommy Lee Jones as JR much easier than John Travolta. John has a hard time not being smarmy. Maybe Tommy's too old by now, dunno.

Personally, I was more of a Dynasty girl.

[HWBL]

Originally Posted by NurseNoir

The perfect cast for "Dallas" has already been assembled... ON THE ORIGINAL SHOW! WHY, WHY, WHYYYYYY do we need this movie???? Hell, I hated it when they recast Miss Ellie after Barbara Bel Geddes died. That was just wrong! This remake, as with so many others, simply should not be made. What's wrong with these movie-making dweebs? I guess no one has original ideas any more.
DON'T. MESS. WITH. DALLAS.
That is all.

Barbara Bel Geddes only died last year. MANY, MANY years after the show was cancelled. She was only temporarily replaced by another older actress when she was being treated for cancer, but then she returned until the show went off the air. Jim Davis, who played Jock Ewing, died of cancer somewhere in the first or second season. He wasn't exactly replaced, but Howard Keel did become Miss Ellie's new husband.

Originally Posted by Lobelia

Jennifer Lopez? wtf wtf wtf????

I could see Tommy Lee Jones as JR much easier than John Travolta. John has a hard time not being smarmy. Maybe Tommy's too old by now, dunno.

Personally, I was more of a Dynasty girl.

Absolutely. Joan "Alexis" Collins rules!!!!!

[Lobelia]

Absolutely. Joan "Alexis" Collins rules!!!!!

Hey, film the old broad with a filtered camera, and she still looks pretty good!

[wonderina]

Originally Posted by Mushy

Gary Sinise as J.R. 'Nuff said.

Ben Affleck as Bobby.
Joan Allen as Miss Ellie.

Jason Robards as Jock

Good choices! and how bout Hohan as Lucy