You’ve heard of tyrant bosses cleaning house by firing everyone and then hiring on a bunch of interns willing to work for cheap, and the situation with Freaky Deaky doesn’t sound much different.
Brendan Fraser, Matt Dillon, Craig Robinson and Katie Cassidy have been removed from the cast to be replaced by Billy Burke, Christian Slater, Michael Jai White and newbie Breanne Racano respectively. However, it isn’t mentioned at Variety if the shake up came at the behest of director Charles Matthau, or if the actors just walked away. The new set of actors will certainly cost less, but at what cost to the film? Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about Billy Burke. As far as I’m concerned, he’s the only reason to see Twilight. But Christian Slater and Michael Jai White are grasping at straws, and Breanne Racano’s resume is shorter than mine.
Given the action comedy nature of the film, maybe the rookie director will be better off working with people more willing to bend to what he’s looking for than someone like Matt Dillon, who seems like he could be a diva.
Also added to the cast was Roger Bart, a veritable “that guy” who you’ve seen in places like Law Abiding Citizen and 30 Rock. His comedic style can definitely be put to good use here.
Freaky Deaky, adapted from an Elmore Leonard novel, sounds like something out of a MadLib. An LAPD cop uncovers a group of hippies who are planning on using bombs to extort millions from a movie mogul. ZANY! The whole idea makes me sad that the hilarious Craig Robinson won’t be a part in this anymore, but Michael Jai White could definitely channel Black Dynamite and play a pretty amazing member of the Black Panther Party.
