Actors would have been good as Holden Caufield when they were younger

Cafe Society
21

I hadn’t thought of him, but damn! He would have been wonderful.

Dakota Fanning for Sally Hays.

22

Seconded. Decent chops to pull off the whininess, and with T2 on everyone’s mind, he could sell the whole “I’m so much more special than everyone else” aspect of Holden.

23

Ryan Gosling would have been great.

24

I second that.

25

I feel like it should be someone borderline maladjusted and irksome, like a young Steve Buscemi.

26

Cary Elwes

27

Geoffrey Rush for Mr. Antolini. John Mahoney (Frasier’s dad) for Spencer. I would have said Christopher Eigeman for Carl Luce, but he’s too old now even to play a graduate student, much less a college student. However, Michael Cera is the right age to play Ackley. The blond one of the Gossip Girl guys for Stradlater. Lindsay Lohan as Sunny (before she starts hooking for real), and James Gandolfini as Maurice. Ellen Page as Jane Gallagher, if she’s seen in flashbacks. Sally Hayes…I dunno. Someone blonde and busty. I would say Amanda Bynes, but I’m not sure she’s a real actress as opposed to an acting machine.

As for Holden, he’d just have to be an unknown, for the same reason Richard Donner wanted an unknown to play Superman. Whoever is cast can’t bring any baggage.

28

For a slightly different perspective, I suggest Steve Buscemi or Joe Pesci.

29

I’d watch it.

30

Dustin Hoffman. He practically played him in The Graduate.

31

Seven years ago, I would have nominated Johnny Galecki for Holden and Dakota Fanning for his sister Phoebe. If the latter isn’t the right actor for the role, I’ve never seen one.

32

Ryan Philippe has some real acting chops (see Flags of our Fathers). Or is he too much a pretty boy?

33

He’s waaaayyyy to pretty. But then again, look what a skilled make up team did for Charlize Theron in Monster.

34

Whoever is cast has to fit the physical description. Over six feet, markedly skinny, brown or reddish hair. He’ll also have to submit to a crew cut and gray dye on one side. Galecki would be good in theory, but he’s way too short and stocky.

35

Maybe Eric Stoltz back in the day.

36

Vincent Gallo would have been amazing.

37

Timothy Hutton (I love* Ordinary People*).

38

NPH

39

Watched reruns of That 70’s Show yesterday. Topher Grace IS Holden Caufield.

40

Tobey Maguire? (Think “The Cider House Rules”)