For me, Josh Hartnet will never shake the nickname given to him by Harry Knowles - Assface. Therefore, I can't picture him in the role.

Despite the fact that Val Kilmer's character in "Spartan" is simply a doer and not a planner (the government tells him, "We need this done" and he goes and does it) he has a lot Jack characteristics: loyal, lethal, and competent to the Nth.

FPW

Gallagher could do it... give the guy a wig, a moustache trim. He's obviously handy with large hammer-like weapons...? :p

Gallagher could do it... give the guy a wig, a moustache trim. He's obviously handy with large hammer-like weapons...? :p

I second that!

Jack: "In a tight place, no one else can help? Reach for the tool that is not a slicer, is not a dicer. What in the hell could it possibly be? SLEDGE-O-MATIC!!!!"

I think you guys are putting way too much emphasis on physical attributes. Hair and eye color can be changed, as can physique by working out. Height doesn't really matter that much in my opinion unless you are going to have him stand next to a ruler. Hugh Jackman is 6'2" in real life and the comic character of Wolverine is only about 5'4" and that didn't ruin the movie.

It's almost funny how true this is. Plenty of screen actors are actually nowhere near the height of their characters. I know one notable actor whose entire career seems to have him pegged perpetually around 5'8 or so. Would you believe the star of "Good Will Hunting," "The Bourne Identity," and "Ocean's Eleven", Matt Damon, is actually closer to 6'1"?

As for the main question of the thread, my vote is for Hugh Jackman. But one must consider the actor's shooting schedule. If an actor is over-committed already to other projects... I don't want to see "Repairman Jack" held up for a star actor, if a talented lesser-known or unknown can fit the bill. When "Repairman Jack" is a hit, I'd like to see the next one in production right away, rather than wait four more years for an opening in a busy actors' schedule.

As for other characters, of course there's always Judd Hirsch as Abe, Arnold Vosloo or Gerard Butler as Kusum (Gerard Butler? you ask. Yes. Give him a beard, darken him a bit, and I think he could pull it off), and, surprisingly, I like Charisma Carpenter as Kolabhati. As for Gia? Well, I'm not so sure. But I like Raymond Cruz for Julio.

Charisma for 'Bati? Intersting choice, and I think it has possibilities. I mentioned on the old board that Oded Fehr might make a good Kusum.
Judd Hirsch in a lot of padding could pull off Abe- very close to his role in Independence Day, minus Parabellum droppings I'm sorry though I can't give on a slim Abe- his physical appearance is key to the character.

Any chance of getting Peter Wingfield for the male Westphalen characters? I love catching him in parts from time to time- a very talented actor. He really needs a starring role but I'll settle for any air time (anyone seen the new series Touching Evil?).

I'm already fantasy casting sequels- I'll be watching something and say "that guy/chick would be perfect for..."... like Mitchell Ryan for Jack's dad (Lethal Weapon).

Having had the pleasure of working around a bunch of hollywood types there are some I can just see in these parts, and wish my opinion actually counted for something!

I'd like to see a Repairman Jack cable series with original stories (with a more mundane, crime-story feel than the supernatural situations presented in the books) to be accentuated by movies based on the novels.
And Ed Burns is a little too pretty, Norton is a much better choice. And he has bigger acting-testicles.

I haven't seen him in anything recent but, if he hasn't changed too much of late I still think Kevin Bacon would be good for Jack, and John Goodman for Abe maybe? Also I have just re-read The Tomb and can really see Art Malik as Kusum. I will admit though I may be little behind in my film viewing and maybe all the above have, er, aged a bit too much?

Oh, and one more thing:-

With Hollywood as it is we will probably get Bruce Willis as Jack (actually, Bruce Willis 20 years ago would have been good). Also I must say (and apologies to FPW who is presumably sold on the idea) I don't have great hopes for the film. Except for Lord of the Rings (and a notable exception at that) I have never seen the film of a book I have loved and been other than dissapointed. Lets just hope....

Does anyone watch Without a Trace. I think Eric Close would be perfect. He's not very well known, which is good.

Picture of him