Casting Call: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Reboot Fantasy Picks

Check out Film Fad’s casting fantasy picks for a “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” reboot!

The way hollywood is looking to the past for new [recycled] material, the “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” reboot is inevitably (hopefully) clinging to some bend in the pre-production pipeline. As of today there is not a whisper that a reboot will happen but, given past attempts such as the 90’s television series  (which even starred Jennifer Aniston as Ferris’ sister, Jeanie), anything is possible. So,  if a reboot were to happen today, here are our picks for the core cast members.

James McAvoy as Ferris Bueller

It was painful trying to pick someone who could even come close to Matthew Broderick’s iconic performance as the smooth talking social genius Ferris, but it must be done. Bueller is a cross between a con-artist and a slick strategic slacker. For that you need an actor who is endearing and clean cut, but wholesomely devious at the same time. He snags the prettiest girl in town, ropes in favors from reluctant friends, entangles adversaries and trumps siblings all with a smile and twinkle in his eye. Basically, Ferris is the luckiest and coolest guy in school giving his legacy a crowning moment before graduation.

After a day (an hour) of deliberation, I went with James McAvoy as my top pick. His young professor Xavier (“X-Men: First Class”) proves he has the intellect, not to mention McAvoy’s early career involved many a comedy. Most recently you can spot McAvoy incite giggles as the UPS Guy in “Muppets Most Wanted.”  Armie Hammer, although relatively unknown in Hollywood (with the exception of Disney’s disastrous “Lone Ranger”), would be my 2nd pick. He has the right type of charisma and charm to match the clean cut con-artist and come across as intelligent. Hammer’s main draw back is that he is a bit on the bumbling side, which Bueller was certainly not. I initially wanted to go with Zack Efron, but after reflecting on his body of work… just no.

Jim Parsons as Cameron Frye

When it comes to the undeniably neurotic and sometimes catatonic Cameron Frye, no one can deny Alan Ruck’s apt performance. Not only is Frye everything Bueller is not, he is also one leg of Bueller’s support system. Beneath the cool guy facade, Bueller’s motives are intertwined with his dearest friend’s aspirations. For that reason, it is essential to cast someone that is able to help cary the critical plot development. Jim Parson’s is the first person that came to mind. Although different at first glance, both Parson’s and Ruck have displayed a helplessly neurotic yet savant like personas on-screen. I think Parson’s would put the perfect modern ‘spin’ on Ruck’s timeless character (see what I did there? Ruck was in “Spin City…” okay, bad joke).

Mila Kunis as Sloane Peterson

Sloane Peterson… What can I say about Mia Sara’s portrayal of the prettiest girl in school? Well… She was very… um… Sexy. Sara stunned director John Hughes with her surprisingly mature on-screen presence, and stunned audiences with her modest yet sultry charm. Sloane is also 50% or more of the motivation for Bueller to impress. Sloane is classy, stylish and downright stunning, so I figured who fits that bill better than Mila Kunis. Kunis is funny, stylish and doesn’t scream “Party Girl.” I think she would also make sense coupled with McAvoy, which is important as the chemistry between Sara and Broderick sold their on-screen romance. My second pick was Blake Lively, but that “Gossip Girl” would need to ditch the scheming b*tch act to be Bueller’s on-screen queen.

Jeremy Piven as Edward R. Rooney, Dean of Students

Jeffery Jones holds the title for the go-to on-screen “Dick” of the 80’s and 90’s. It was no different with his portrayal of belligerent buffoon, Dean Rooney. When contemplating who would best fit the role, I was immediately struck by Jeremy Piven’s Dean Pritchard from “Old School.” For that reason alone, I think Piven, with some tweaking, would be the ideal “dick”ish dean destined to fall to the better man, Bueller.

Jennifer Lawrence as Jeanie Bueller

Jennifer Grey’s Jeanie Bueller was dark, tough, sardonic and simply infatuated with tarnishing her brother Ferris’ pristine reputation with their parents. Grey hails from a time in Hollywood where nose jobs ended careers rather than bolster their longevity.

With that said (the former… not so much the latter), the role would demand an equally dark, snarky and tough actress. I can think of no other better candidate than Katniss herself, Jennifer Lawrence. Her performance in “Silver Linings Playbook” was the ideal audition reel, proving Lawrence can balance dark and comedic with tremendous success.

Mathew Broderick & Mia Sara as Mr. and Mrs. Bueller

Bueller’s parents are not necessarily major players in the film, although their presence does hold significance. While Ferris strives to keep their image of him pristine, Jeanie strives to tarnish it. I think it would be a great nod to the iconic original to cast both Matthew Broderick and Mia Sara as the new parents. It would both give audiences (me) a glimpse into their (my) childhood and bring two seasoned actors close to the original, as well as chance to add a sense of continuity.

Steve Carrell as Economics Teacher

Who can forget Ben Stein’s famous “Bueller… Bueller…” scene? No one, that’s who (unless you never saw it, then you wouldn’t know it to forget it). I think Steve Carrell would be the ideal modern match to the desert dry economics teacher. Taking the deadpan Brick character from “Anchorman” and add a professorial twist, which should be no sweat for the oscar worthy Carrell, and you have the perfect predecessor.

Bradley Cooper as Juvenile Delinquent

This leaves us with Jeanie’s police station delinquent druggie day dream. Originally played by Charlie Sheen (who drew his motivation from his own life apparently), this scene is just as memorable as Ferris channeling John Lennon with his parade ensconced performance of “Twist and Shout.” So, since we are going with the “Silver Lining Playbook” Lawrence, let’s bring her on-screen counterpart Bradley Cooper in as the bad-boy to her Jeanie. Take Coopers careless “Hangover” attitude and add a few “research” sessions with Charlie Sheen and I’m sure he will hit the mark. Honestly, Cooper’s body of work is so diverse that I am confident he can play pretty much any role.

So, there you have it! Film Fad’s fantasy picks for a “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” reboot. What’d you like (What’d you hate)? Who would you pick? We want to know, so let us know in the comments below!