“Doug” is an iconic animated sitcom created by Jim Jinkins, which initially aired on Nickelodeon and then Disney via ABC’s Morning Lineup in the ’90s.
Aw-wee-oo. Killer Tofu! – The Beets
From when I was eight years old until I was 16, “Doug” was a prominent television fixture, consuming my attention on many a afternoon and Saturday morning in my younger years. Born from the personal experiences of it’s creator Jim Jinkins, “Doug” represents, to me, the more wholesome, moral and though-provoking children’s animated series. This show rose to fame in what I consider to be Nickelodeon’s heyday with other notable series such as “Rugrats” and “The Ren and Stimpy Show.” Since it’s inception in 1991, “Doug” has spawned off seven seasons, 117 episodes, various books, merchandise, a live musical stage show, and a theatrical feature, “Doug’s 1st Movie.” That got me thinking, with so much nostalgia centered around the Quail Man alter-ego, what if they made a Live-Action “Doug” movie, where all the characters are adults? Well, to properly fantasize about where the concept could go and who would play the iconic parts, lets take a brief stroll down memory lane and remember what “Doug” was all about.
Little Known Fact: “Doug” was inspired by Jenkins’ actual childhood experiences while growing up in Virginia, with most characters in the series being based on real people from Jenkins past. These experiences where recorded in… not quite a journal, but a sketchbook Jenkins kept in the ’80s. A sketchbook which included the preliminary concept art for what would ultimately become “Doug.”
The original show revolves around the adolescent Douglas “Doug” Funnie, who upon arriving to his new hometown of Bluffington, encounters socially common situations while attending school. Doug must then work through his experiences, always with a lesson learned to takeaway. Whether trying to fit in, understand the complexities of platonic and romantic relationships, coping with a balanced sense of self-esteem, dealing with copper haired bullies, or the notorious school rumor, Doug recounts his days with imagination as he recounts his experiences in his journal.
So, without further ado, here are FilmFad’s fantasy picks for a live action (and grown-up) “Doug” movie.
Breckin Meyer as Douglas “Doug” Funnie
Dear Journal, hi! it’s me, Doug.
Doug Funnie is all about making sense of the world around him and overcoming some new obstacle. He is neurotic (I would give him about a five on a scale of 1 to Woody Allen). He is a hopeless romantic pining over his one dream girl, Patti Mayonnaise. Doug is also more mature (at times) than his social group (with the exception of Patti). So who better to play the young adult Funnie than Breckin Meyer (“Road Trip”)? Not only does Meyer have the look, He also has the right on-screen persona to pull off a more mature Doug. Take his character from “Garfield” (which was a TERRIBLE movie… really awful) and mix it with his character from “Road Trip” and presto… Doug Funnie.
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Macklemore as Roger Klotz
Scared of the dark Funnie? Here let me turn on the light
This just makes sense. Roger Klotz is the quintessential mis-understood bully of the ’90s. His tough guy exterior just a cover for his less fortunate home-life and social awkwardness. Who better to play the grinch-like Klotz, than America’s foremost promoter of second hand shopping, Macklemore? The Grammy winning emcee already dresses the part, give him a healthy does of gamma radiation and you’ll have your ideal ‘hulking’ (har har) adult Roger Klotz.
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Jim Parsons as Mosquito “Skeeter” Valentine
Hey, man, let me take care of it. The new kid wants three moo cows, one no cucs, one no sneakers, one wet one, four cubers, and four from the vine. Do you want anything else?
Skeeter is Doug’s closest and most trusted friend. Well… kinda his only friend. Skeeter is off-beat, awkward, and outright odd, which makes Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) the ideal choice. Just set the on-screen Dr. Sheldon Cooper’s skin-tone to surf and poof… the new and improved Mr. Valentine. They already have the same taste in T-Shirts.
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Mila Kunis as Beebe Bluff
Doug: Good luck, Bebe.
Beebe: Thanks, but I won’t be needing it.
Beebe is pretentious, spoiled, entitled daughter of Bluffington’s (note the namesake) richest man, and someone who would be fast friend’s with Rachel McAdams’ character from “Mean Girls.” Basically Beebe is a b*tch (what? I said it). With that said, Mila Kunis is my top choice for this character (I mean ‘Congratulations’ to you and Ashton…). Judging from her character from Fox’s “That 70’s Show” alone makes her perfect for the part. I am certain that Beebe and Jackie Burkhart would be besties.
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Christina Hendricks as Judy Funnie
And I thought I was the artistic one in the family…
Judy is the Jeanie to Doug’s Ferris Bueller. The difference, Judy is an aspiring artist (pfft… beatnik) where as Jeanie is a … well… b*tch. Judy still does have her snarky moments and with age, could easily become more dark with age. With that said, Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”) is my choice for the attitude-y Judy. Just put Corey Harts – “Sunglasses at Night” in her Sony Walkman (get it? because they are from the ’90s…) and she will be all set for this Funnie role.
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Taylor Schilling as Patricia “Patti” Mayonnaise
Oh Doug! You’re so dance planny!
Patti is a beautiful enigma to the hopelessly romantic Doug Funnie. Despite her setbacks in life, such as losing her mother at the age of 3 and her father being in a wheel chair, the Bluffington native maintains her positively optimistic attitude. Patti is not only and optimist and Doug’s love interest, she is also a top student, an accomplished athlete and a pro at the beet-centric sport Beetball. Her only foil his her H-Anger (that’s when one grows enraged with hunger). Taylor Schilling (“Orange is the New Black”) is also an optimist despite her current on-screen prison situation making her the ideal choice. Throw in her million dollar smile and platinum locks and you have yourself a fine young Patti Mayonnaise. She also gets angry, but only when you try to stab her.
Little Known Fact: Taylor’s castmate from “Orange is the New Black,” Constance Shulman, was THE voice for Patti Mayonnaise in both TV Series and the movie. All the more reason to keep the role in the family… albeit a prison family.