"Gilligan" Casting Call!

I'm not a fan of remakes, but I will say this: when they are done right, they can be great. Take "The Brady Bunch Movie" (the first one); it was a good in its own right, but more importantly it successfully tapped into the nostalgia for the show while still giving us what we wanted from our favorite characters.

But what really makes or breaks a remake is casting. And now that word is out that Sherwood Schwartz is finally getting his feature-length movie version of his beloved "Gilligan's Island" series, it’s time to sit right back and play Casting Call!

Schwartz has already indicated he wants everyone's favorite dorky-It boy Michael Cera in the role of Gilligan, and I gotta say that he’s close to perfect for the role.  Although…bear with me…Ellen Degeneres could be hilarious in this role...yeah she’s a little old, but really, how old was Bob Denver?  I’m a little afraid though they might go with that kid that played McLovin in “Superbad”. I can’t watch that kid for more than five minutes at a time.

And in an underwhelming choice for Ginger, Schwartz has tapped the ubiquitous Beyonce. Frankly, I can think of a few actresses I’d like to see fill Ginger’s skintight silver lame dress in all its unfocused glory: Lindsay Lohan comes to mind (and hey, how about Samantha Ronson as Gilligan? Ha!), as does Candy Cayne’s - might as well make things more interesting, right? I see lots of potentially comic situations with a transgender Ginger on the island, or as we could call her, Transginger.

The Skipper: now were Chris Farley still alive, chances are he would’ve been a shoe-in for this role with his little real-life buddy David Spade donning the white tennis hat. But in his absence, one name looms large in my mind: Alec Baldwin…though he could also be great in the role of Mr. Howell. Another option for the skipper would be Jack Black though he’s a bit of a scene-stealer. Then there’s Nathan Lane, but if having him means that Matthew Broderick has to play Gilligan, then we need to pass. And please – not Mike Myers.

And not to upset the purists, but what about a female skipper – say, Jane Lynch. Imagine: her as the Skipper and Ellen as Gilligan. Priceless.  If someone was feeling really daring, they might even consider Rosie for the Skipper, but I’d say that might be a deal-breaker for a lot of people.

As for Mary Ann, I’m betting they go with one of the new girls on the block, like Selena Gomez or Demi Lovato – some gal from the Nickolodeon farm.  But as a Mary Ann fan, I’m hoping they go with someone with a little more depth: it’s probably beneath her at this point, but I’d love to see Ann Hathaway here or the adorable Rachel Bilson.  If the producers dare go with a woman over the age of 25, Julia Louis-Dreyfus could knock it outta the park.

Now, the Professor.  He’s gotta be hot, he’s gotta be believably smart…he’s gotta be Neil Patrick Harris. Wouldn’t it be poetic if Doogie Howser ended up being the shipwrecked genius, and even more poetic if they had the seemingly sexually confused professor actually be gay? C’mon – they wouldn’t have to mess with the show’s original formula that much to go ahead and out the professor. For back-up choices, I’m gonna go with Stephen Colbert or the always-fab John Michael Higgins (from “Kath & Kim” and the Christopher Guest movies) or even the strangely charismatic Jason Segel from “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” – we know he’s comfortable naked, and you gotta believe there was some accidental nudity on the island, right?

That leaves the Howells. As I said earlier, Alec Baldwin would be great here too, and for you fans of “30 Rock”, how about casting Elaine Stritch as Mrs. Howell? It could work – just tweak heir storyline a little bit so that Mr. Howell is a gold-digger or he’s actually her son because these two are comic gold together.  Other contenders: Kevin Spacey, Hugh Grant,and Fred Willard;  Christine Baranski, Emma Thompson, Catharine O’Hara and Holland Taylor.

OK, that was fun, but now it’s your turn. Who would you like to see fill the legendary shoes of our favorite castaways? Remember, they have to be able to sing and dance, because chances are there will be an island talent show at some point in the movie.

Also -- whenever we run these casting calls, some of you post comments saying how stupid it is.  So -- if you don’t find this kind of thing fun, you don't have to leave a comment!  We all know there are more important things going on in the world, but this is the GayTVBlog for chrissakes – it’s just a fun distraction for a minute or two, not a statement on what we as gay people should make a priority in our lives.

(Images courtesy of Getty)

Comments

[Paul Stevens]

I think Debra Messing would be awesome as Ginger - every time I saw her on Will and Grace I'd think "God, she's a dead ringer for Tina Louise". A gifted actress with a comedic edge, I think she'd be awesome.

[Onlywayne]

Debra Messing could be an excellent choice for Ginger, but would she be convincing as a not-so-bright starlet? Hey, did other guy gays have a big crush on the Professor? I thought he was a dreamboat when I was 12. I've had a crush on NPH ever since his first TV show, but I'm similarly hot for Steve Carell as the Professor!

[JenniferClayton]

This is HILARIOUS! My vote goes to Alec Baldwin for the Skipper. Not crazy about Michael Cera as Gilligan. I'd prefer say, Ashton Kutcher. But producers listen up -- Neil Patrick Harris HAS to be the professor. I'm not even kidding. In fact, Gay.com should start a petition to make it happen.

Only time I've laughed all day.

[billy]

don't forget we already had 2 remakes of a reunion movies with the original cast!
each time they went back to the original island ain the end!!

[oldkingtroll]

Sir Ian McKellen as Thurston Howell III.

Robin Williams as the Skipper.

Of course, Neil Patrick Harris as the Professor.

Pick some total unknown to play Gilligan.

Dame Judith Densch as Mrs. Howell.

Angelina Jolie as Ginger; and, who better than Jennifer Aniston as Mary Ann?

[Josh]

Does anyone really care about a gay gilligans island?

[Gary-Alan]

I can see Debra Messing as Mary Ann. Maybe a little older but she can pull off the pure an innocent type.

I agree with 'oldkingtroll' - Sir Ian and Dame Judy as the Howells!!!! That's PERFECT

Neal Patrick Harris is definitely the professor... I can not imagine anyone else in that role LOL

John Goodman would make a great Skipper.

Ru Paul get's my vote for Ginger, I don't car what anyone else think LOL

A new comer for Gilligan... that's what roles like that are made for.

Give Ashton the role of Wrongway Feldman :)

[Kuffpah]

Sean Hayes for Gilligan? He has the skill for physical comedy. What about Toby McGuire?

[kydick]

Okay, here we go:

Skipper - Michael Keaton or Tom Arnold
Gilligan - Taylor Ball (Still Standing) or Steve Howey (Reba)
Professor - Val Kilmer or Matt Damon
Ginger - Jessica Simpson or Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray)
Mary Ann - Drew Barrymore or Amanda Byrnes (Hairspray)
Mr. Howell - Kevin Kline or Pierce Brosnan
Mrs. Howell - Sharon Gless or Tracey Ullman
or
Mr & Mrs Howell - Jon Voight & Helen Mirren

[David]

Erik Bragg - Gilligan http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.erikbragg.com/cellphone.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.erikbragg.com/&usg=__4kJfLRrsEgYAjRRbWWsJu1HSIo0=&h=258&w=224&sz=14&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=7z1pTTtVevrG3M:&tbnh=112&tbnw=97&prev=/images%3Fq%3DErik%2BBragg%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG he was the stupid security on princess diaries 2 , he would be perfect!
John Goodman - Skipper
Robin Williams - Professor
Ann Hathaway - MaryAnn
Catherine Zetta Jones - Ginger or Beth Ann Garrison
Elaine Stritch - Mrs. Howell
John Rhys-Davies- Mr. Howell

Mind you, I am a fan of the mentioned people, that some of them worked together on Princess Diaries 2 just happens to be a coincidence

[DDC]

Hmm... I think...

Gilligan - Not sure, Michael Cera is going to get played out at this rate. Ellen would be hilarious!

Skipper - Nathan Lane would blow it out of the park

Professor - Neil Patrick Harris all the way!

Ginger - I say Rebecca Romijn or maybe Cherlize Theron

Mary Ann - Larisa Oleynik (10 Things I Hate About You)

Mrs. Howell - Shirley MacLaine or Elaine Stritch

Mr. Howell - J.K. Simmons (Jueno & Spiderman)

[narik87]

Larisa Oleynik would be a stellar Mary Ann. We haven't seen her do anything in a long time.

I would aim for Maggie Smith or even Judi Dench for Mrs. Howell. Maggie was the first one to come to mind and has been a favorite of mine for a long time.

[Gilligan]

I'd like to see Carol Burnett as Lovey Howell. I think Carol could really do a great Mrs. Howell.

Patrick Stewart as Thurston Howell III.

Rebecca Romijn would be a great Ginger!

Nathan Lane as Skipper? Maybe, although at 5'5", Lane would be a far cry from the 6'2" Alan Hale Jr. My first pick for Skipper would be G. W. Bailey (The Closer, Police Academy, St. Elsewhere, Jeff Foxworthy Show, M*A*S*H TV series). Bailey's 5'7" which might be a problem.

Mary Ann could be anyone but I think America Ferrera would be a good fit. The Mary Ann character is the innocent girl-next-door type which is something Ferrera can pull off very well.

And whoever they pick as Gilligan will have to be a minority. Such is the Hollywood way.

[corrective_unconscious]

Gilligan - George W. Bush
The Skipper - Mike Huckabee
Mr. Howell - Rush Limbaugh
Mrs. Howell - Phyllis Schlafly
The Professor - Karl Rove
Ginger - Ann Coulter
Mary Anne - Shepard Smith

[Me]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of a transginger. That is HILARIOUS. That actually would make this movie funny...and have none of them know? So much better than BEYONCE.

Forget the ever over-rated Neil Patrick "I said i'm gay so I have a lot of fans" Harris... petition for transginger all the way!!!

[Rob]

If this Re-Make is going to be FUNNY at all Get some Good "Actors"! The past "Re-Makes" of this has Bored me to Death!
Nathan Lane & Shirley Mclaine would make a "Perfect" Mr.& Mrs. Howell.
Debra Messing is the best "Red Head" since "Lucille Ball" so Cast her as SEXY & DUMB for GINGER!
IF you Really wanna make this film "Hillarious" Ellen Degenerouse would be the "Ideal Gilligan" and I wouldn't Mind if the "Skipper" was Rosie O'Donnell...to give it a "Twist"!....
Alec Baldwin would be a great "Professor"!
Now where you going to find a "Sweet Girl" like MARY-ANN from Kansas?

[dante]

if Neil Patrick Harris doesnt play the professor im gonna refuse to see it. for mary ann im gonna have to vote for amy adams, she can pull off the innocent thing perfectly and still be hilarious every time. Michael Cera's a great choice, as is Alec Baldwin as the skipper.

[Rob]

I Think you should Cast "Tina Fey" SNL for Mary Ann....that way you have an *All-Star* Cast with a lot of comedy to Boot! This would be the Best ideal "Castaways" for the Re-Make! Think of it...TWO Women...Skipper & Gilligan...
By "Rosie & Ellen" Get all these other "Characters" trapped on an Island, blame each other for it...and you still have the other "Interesting cast" to deal with...it would be Hillarious! By the way, for "Dante" just go get a 'PORNO' if you need the PROFESSOR to be Young! LOL!

[Tommy C]

Honestly, the only way I see this movie working is if it's set in the same tone as the Brady Bunch movies were. As for the cast my choices would have to be

Gilligan: Zack Braff
Skipper: John Goodman
Mr Howell: Geoffrey Rush
Mrs Howell: Helen Mirren
Ginger: Amy Adams
Professor: James Marsters
Mary Ann: Zooey Deschanel

[David]

I agree with actors for The Professor (Neil Patrick Harris), The Howells (Alec Baldwin, Elaine Stritch), and the suggestion of Debra Messing as Ginger. They would be awesome. I still want to see a male "Skipper" (not Ellen), and even David Spade as Gilligan! These actors would be "spot on". Marianne might be a little difficult, I am not sure. PLEASE, let Neil Patrick Harris be The Prof! WOOF!

[jm]

With Gilligan: Michael Cera
the Skipper too: Alec Baldwin
the Millionaire: Tim Conway
and his wife: Carol Burnett
the Movie Star: Amy Adams
the professor: Neil Patrick Harris
and Mary Ann: Jessica Alba

I think Michael Cera and Alec Baldwin together would be extremely funn. Both are great comedic actors. Tim Conway and Carol Burnett would be perfect as an older comedy duo. They've worked together so often, that they'd have instant chemistry. If not them, I would take Jack Nicholson as a sleazy millionaire with a gold-digger wife(Kim Cattrall). Kim could play the sexy older woman who is jealous of the younger women on the island, and always looking over her shoulder to see if Jack's eyes are roaming. She could make a jealous play on the professor for revenge only to find out he is gay. Someone posted Amy Adams earlier for Ginger....perfect choice there.

[paul]

gilligan Justin Long

[robkub]

skiper -alec baldwin
gillgan -sean hays
ginger- debrah messing
profsser- neal patrick hiarson
marry ann -amrica ferra
mr howell- nathan lane
mrs howell-magen mallgglly

[Jason]

CANDIS. Her name is CANDIS Cayne.

[Jphineas]

my choices

Gilligan:Ricky Ullman or David Henrie for a young Gilligan or Zach Branff for an older Gilligan All have good timing

Skipper: John Goodman maybe Matt LeBlanc

Mr Howell: Richard Dreyfus
Mrs. Howell: Either Shirley McClain or Olympia Dukakis (although I like Dame Judy Dench, Shes just not very comedic in the American sense. Carol burnett would be great with Tim Conway though. (Thank goodness for auditions))

Ginger:Debra Messing
Proessor: Tom Hanks (sorry neil, you're just too young to pull it off)
Maryanne: America Ferrera, Jena Malone or Ellen Paige

[Rob]

John Goodman as Skipper

[K]

You're not stupid, it's ok to run these features. We still respect you. I vote for Neil Patrick Harris.

[T]

I love remakes..even if they are silly. I think it's just the "nostalgic" part of my personality. The Cast should be as follows:

GILLIGAN : could be an unknown or Jon Cryer (from Two 1/2 Men) would be a shoo-in

PROFESSOR: I like Neil Patrick Harris, but and older wiser professor could be Ion Gruffold( Mr. Plastic from the Fantasic 4)

SKIPPER : Kevin James( King of Queens) gets my vote!

GINGER : hmmm someone sexy like Angelina Jolie or Pamela Anderson..Anna Nicole Smith would have perfect ..R.I.P

MARYANN : I would like to see Anne Hathaway or go for it.

THE HOWELLS : would be played perfectly by Regis Philbin & Betty White!

[HT]

"The Brady Bunch Movie" would have been daft if it was the same thing without the copyrighted characters to have spoofed. Making a movie featuring a family of naive people wouldn't fly in 1995, or now. Making a conscious spoof of a family like the Bradys is a success - partly because such a remake had never been tried, and it wasn't the usual brainless t!t-fodder that usually goes into remakes.

Now if "The Gilligan Movie" does the same thing: sharp, self-effacing, sardonic wit, it might have a chance. But most remakes either change characters and motivations and make it with obscene amounts of money (in which case, why not call the thing something else because it's nothing like what it's taking from)... ugh. I give up.

[Josh A]

Author is right - Holland Taylor would make a perfect Mrs. Howell.

[obamanation]

Obama's economic stimulus package will cost over a trillion dollars and is full of wasteful pork spending..........I wonder if that includes his vacations to Hawaii he's already taking before even officially taking office...

[T]

THE all GAY GILLIGANS ISLAND cast should be as follows:

GILLIGAN; Sean Hayes
SKIPPER: Nathan Lane
GINGER: A Trans-Ginger would be perfect.maybe Rupaul or Alexis Arquette
MARYANN: Sara Gilbert or Rosie O'Donnell
THE PROFESSOR: David Hyde Pierce
THE HOWELLS: Sir Ian McKellen & Lily Tomlin

[Charles]

Well, if Alec Baldwin is in it, I won't go near it. Can't stand that abusive drunk - oh, and he's pompous, too.

[dexterfp]

seriously the only person who could pull off Mary Ann would be Gennifer Goodwyn.
Neil is the perfect professor.
Carol Burnett gets my vote for lovey
british actress Gina Bellman gets my vote for ginger--watch the british version of coupling if you don't believe me.
gilligan--justin long or michael cera work for me
as for the skipper--maybe we can find a new funny chunky actor--who is not over used and over rated.

[Tim]

Gilligan - NOT Michael Cena, what the hell is with everyone thinking he is hot sh*t? Perhaps Mitch Morris, I mean he played Griff in Another Gay movie, and he could play cute, dorky, and awkward well. He could be my "Little Buddy" anytime...

Skipper - Gerard Butler, for a more built version of the Skipper. He looks like he could captain a ship too. And he's not doing much now

Mr. and Mrs. Howell - Easy choice. David and Victoria Beckham. A) Who said the Howells have to be retirees? and B) I'd love to watch these two on a deserted island.

Ginger - Debra Messing would actually be a great choice as someone already said for a slightly more awkward movie star.

The Professor - I agree, NPH, I mean look at Dr. Horrible...

Mary Ann - Anne Hathaway would be perfect, especially with TDWP under her belt

[Sonny]

gosh do we have to gay up everything? seriously.

[Charity]

Ginger - Christina Applegate
Mrs. Howelle - Megan Mullally
Mr. Howelle - Kevin Kline

[BlueNorthern]

What about "Richard Hatch" from first SURVIVOR episode as "SKIPPER?"

[XxMostly_CloudyxX]

Gilligan: Michael Cera
Skipper: Seth Rogan
Professor: Patrick Dempsey
Mary Ann: Tina Fey
Ginger: Courtney Love (a junkie Ginger would rock! LOL)
The Howells: Olympia Dukakis and Leslie Nielson

[Rob]

If Neil Patrick Harris wants to prove his "Acting Ability" from smart guy to dumb guy....then see if he can Break his Sterio-Typical Role to play "Gilligan" a Good Actor can do it!

[Blue Northern]

Skipper= Jack Black
Gilligan= Neil Patrick Harris
Professor= Alec Baldwin
Ginger= Debra Messing
Mary Ann= Tina Fey
Mr.Howell=Nathan Lane
Mrs. Howell= "Somebody Sweet" Like Betty White...but make her "Hair" Pink

[Russ Shirley]

OK, Here goes! Now don't make fun, I've had a lot of time to think about this since I am laid off from work right now!
Here is a list of the major characters (most of which have been mentioned) and some minor ones along with main story arcs and sub arcs! Hope you like!

Gilligan: Michael Cera (the perfect mix of dorkieness and sweetness)Main arc; Falls for Mary Ann, but finds out shes not entirly miss innocent after all! (see below) But end up together in the end!

Skipper: John Goodman Main arc; Keeps Gilligan in line and fantasizes about Ginger but finally realizes that there is something about her and that they are not made for each other in the end!

Mr Howell: Robin Williams Main Arc; Tries to buy everyones friendship but realizes that everyone really likes him already!

Mrs Howell: Elaine Stritch Main Arc; Has always wanted to be a performer (dancer/singer) so she enlists the help of Ginger and Mary Ann to put on a show for the boys!

Ginger: Candis Cayne Main Arc; Cant understand Why no one realizes that she is transgender! (except for the Professor)

Professor: Neil Patric Harris Main Arc; Tries to find a way off the island with his crazy inventions, he's also the only one that sees the truth in everything! He's the ultimate observer!

Mary Ann: Sweet innocent little Mary Ann turns out to be not so innocent when the other castaways find out that she started stripping to afford her trip to Hawaii!

Mary Anns' Mom: Played in flashbacks by Dawn Wells! (the original Mary Ann)Sub Arc: Tries to keep Mary Ann from becoming a stripper and leaving Kansas!

And of course a Gilligan Island Movie wouln't be complete without;
Canibal Headhunters
Boy Tarzan
Someone Crash landing on the Island
and who could for get the giant spider! EEEEKKKK
(all could be played by big name cameos!)
I think that the mix of up and coming actors, established character actors and big name stars would draw a huge audience! Hope u like my picks!

[Russ Shirley]

Sorry! Mary Ann to be played by Mila Kunis (That Seventies Show, Forgetting Sarah Marshal) sorry Mila!

[Ben]

First of all...please look to the original show and not the terrible 80s movies.
Ginger Grant was very sexy but not at all dumb. She certainly hit some casting couches on her way and was always in bad sc-fi movies of the late 50s but she was very smart.

I think Debra Messing is a great choice for Ginger and the return of Eva Grubb.

Nathan Lane and Shriley Maclaine as the Howells is perfection. He has that stuck up I need my Lovey Howell (formerly Wentworth) to care for me but sweet hearted money grubber down. Mrs Howell like Ginger was smart but oblivious to a less than a wealthy existence.

Julia Louis Dreyfess would be fantastic as May Ann Summers. To cover the age she could be a widowed farm mom.

I like the underlying steaminess of Neil Patrick Harris as Professor Roy Hinkley. NPH was awesome in "Stark Raving Mad". NPH flirting with Debra massing's Ginger Would be pure hot steam.

Gilligan in loveable and clumsy not stupid. Ellen is an awesome choice.

Skipper Jonas Grumby is a tough captain but a father figure on land So I go along with John Goodman.

I can accept Ashton Kutcher as WrongWay Feldman.

And Ru Paul? who else but Erica Tiffany Smith.

[flilguy62839]

I think Ben Affleck would also make an excellant choice for the role of the Professor. I think Jake Gyllenhaal would make a great Gilligan. Julia Louis-Dreyfus would make a good Mary Ann. I think Lindsay Wagner or Olivia Newton-John could play Mrs. Howell well. Somehow I could see Tom Hanks gaining a few pounds and fitting the role as the Skipper.

[Nate]

I think Justin Long would make a perfect Gilligan. Neil Patrick Harris would be a great Professor, but what about his Dr Horrible co-star Nathan Fillion? I think he'd be even better. I actually like the idea of Beyonce as Ginger. I agree that Debra Messing would be good too, or as Mary Ann. I agree with John Goodman for Skipper, Sir McKellan and Dme Dench for the Howells. I don't really care if the remake is "gay" as long as it's actually FUNNY.

[Dominic]

Liza Minelli as Mrs. Howell and YES,
RuPaul as Ginger!!!

[Mr Ed]

Ok gilligan should be an unknown,,,How about Steve Martin as the skipper Mary ann should be a minority , for Mary ann How about Selma Hyatt(sp) as Maria Anna , Angelina Jolle(sp) as Ginger or Tina Fey ,,The hot guy that is playing James Bond in the new James Bond movies for the professor (wooooofff) And for the Howells How about Bringing Ann Meyer(sp) and her husband Jerry Stiller out and giving them a go at it make it totally campy and fun and then at the End make them wake up and find out they are all just contestants on Surviver,,,, and they can vote The guy that runs that show off the island and invite everyone there for a huge party Mr. Ed

[jason rage]

Russell Johnson -- the original professor -- is still very much alive and available, so it would be nice to see them find a role for him. Same with Tina Louise and Dawn French. These folks got almost no residuals for the show, while Sherwood Schwartz got very rich. Let's get them some work in their golden years!

[Mike]

I think that Kelsey Grammer and Blythe Danner would be perfect for the Howells. Beyonce is a great choice but I think Pamela Anderson could do a good Ginger; of course John Goodman as the Skipper and although I do not know these actors names but the guy who plays in the Cranberry Juice ads would be a great Gilligan and the gal who played on Queer As Folk who was interested in Michael when he worked at the Big Q would be a great Mary Ann. Neil Patrick Harris would do well as the Professor but so would Dean Cain who could definitely pull it off. Choices - Choices! Since Sherwood Schwartz himself is involved in the casting, he'll make great choices just like he did in the tv series.