# Sean Penn, Jim Carrey & Benicio Del Torro as the 3 Stooges? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 25, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776 "2009-03-25T18:38:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/1 "2009-03-25T18:38:30Z")
[From Variety](http://www.variety.com/VR1118001643.html) > [@](#): > > MGM and the Farrelly brothers are closing in on their cast for “The Three Stooges.” > > Studio has set Sean Penn to play Larry, and negotiations are underway with Jim Carrey to play Curly, with the actor already making plans to gain 40 pounds to approximate the physical dimensions of Jerome “Curly” Howard. > > The studio is zeroing in on Benicio Del Toro to play Moe. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/2 "2009-03-25T18:47:38Z")
Russell Crowe should be in there somewhere… ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/3 "2009-03-25T18:51:30Z")
:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/4 "2009-03-25T19:05:57Z")
Something’s wrong with getting [Paul Ben-Victor, Evan Handler, and Michael Chiklis](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0214698/) again? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/5 "2009-03-25T19:26:30Z")
I think you’re asking for trouble if you cast someone that’s been insistent on making strong political expressions into a comedic role. If I don’t like Sean Penn’s outspokenness I’ll still respect his dramatic work in Milk or Mystic River but I’m typically not inclined to find him funny. Alec Baldwin, for the same reasons, is why I’ve never seen 30 Rock. Carrey and even del Toro (never would have though of him but willing to give him a chance) I get but Penn may have done too much for some to view him in a mirthful light. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/6 "2009-03-25T19:31:37Z")
Is the cover date for this particular issue April 1st? ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/7 "2009-03-25T19:32:36Z")
Jim Carrey as Curly? Drew Carey maybe. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/8 "2009-03-25T20:31:25Z")
Jim Carrey is a physical comedian, as was Curly. Drew, not so much. I’m disappointed in Sean Penn, but I’m sure he has his reasons. Otherwise, the casting of this film is not an issue for me since you’d have to pay me to see it. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/9 "2009-03-25T22:44:38Z")
I hate to be the big jerk here, but wouldn’t Sean Penn be Moe??? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/10 "2009-03-25T23:32:23Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > Is the cover date for this particular issue April 1st? That was my impression; someone jumped the gun on an April Fool’s joke? Mel Gibson must be eating his heart out (the guy is a legendary 3 Stooges fan), and yeah, the made-for-TV movie had great casting. This is going to be a greater misfire than Steve Martin doing Inspector Clouseau. ---
**Author:** ![PharmBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@PharmBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PharmBoy)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/11 "2009-03-25T23:35:46Z")
If this isn’t a joke, it is quite possibly the worst idea in the history of Hollywood. Is the film world really that desperate? I’d love someone from the film industry to explain why ANYONE would think re-doing the Three Stooges could possibly be a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/12 "2009-03-26T02:32:21Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > I think you’re asking for trouble if you cast someone that’s been insistent on making strong political expressions into a comedic role. If I don’t like Sean Penn’s outspokenness I’ll still respect his dramatic work in Milk or Mystic River but I’m typically not inclined to find him funny. Alec Baldwin, for the same reasons, is why I’ve never seen 30 Rock. Carrey and even del Toro (never would have though of him but willing to give him a chance) I get but Penn may have done too much for some to view him in a mirthful light. You just let your own perceptions get in the way. That’s not his problem, that’s your problem. He was very sweet, funny and lighthearted in **Milk** , and you accepted that (assuming you saw it). He was hilarious in **Sweet and Lowdown** and **We’re No Angels**. His first (big) movie was **Fast Times at Ridgemont High**. The man can do comedy. It’ll be more interesting to see how Benicio Del Toro does comedy. I can only think of **Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas** that’s even slightly comical. Well, he was in **Big Top Pee-wee** as “Duke the Dog-Faced Boy” but I haven’t seen that. Since I loathe The Three Stooges, I can’t wait to see this. It has to be an improvement. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/13 "2009-03-26T04:25:40Z")
I think the casting is superb. (Except for del Toro, who I’m not familiar with, but he sure _looks_ the part.) Penn and Carrey are both excellent actors with the right comedic sensibilities for their respective characters. Carrey doesn’t typically choose roles that show off his acting ability, but he was uncanny in Man in the Moon, another movie where he was channeling another comedian’s quirky persona. Penn is one of the best actors alive today and can do just the right hangdog look for Larry. My only concern is with the concept. Do we _need_ a remake of the Stooges? Absolutely not. I can’t see anything to be gained by having three actors pretending to be three other actors recreating the work they’ve already done. My hope is that this won’t be a remake or recreation of a Three Stooges movie, but a biopic _about_ the Three Stooges. That could be brilliant and will put the comedy in the right dramatic context to really say something new, much like Man in the Moon or Chaplin. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/14 "2009-03-26T05:35:07Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > My hope is that this won’t be a remake or recreation of a Three Stooges movie, but a biopic _about_ the Three Stooges. That could be brilliant and will put the comedy in the right dramatic context to really say something new, much like Man in the Moon or Chaplin. That was the very straw I clutched at when I saw the headline. However, as the Variety article makes clear, this is _not_ a biopic. What next? The Marx Brothers? I shudder to think of the casting Hollywood might come up with for that. _Think of the poster, LB! See De Niro as Groucho, Brad Pitt as Chico, Christian Slater as Harpo! Now, who wouldn’t wanna go and see that?_ ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/15 "2009-03-26T12:56:23Z")
> [@PharmBoy](#): > > If this isn’t a joke, it is quite possibly the worst idea in the history of Hollywood. Is the film world really that desperate? I’d love someone from the film industry to explain why ANYONE would think re-doing the Three Stooges could possibly be a good idea. Because redoing [Laurel and Hardy](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0143096/) worked so well.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/16 "2009-03-26T13:46:13Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > You just let your own perceptions get in the way. That’s not his problem, that’s your problem. No, it’s really not. There’s no downside to me not being a particular fan of an actor, be it Penn or anyone else. My life won’t be negatively impacted if I give this one a pass. It is, however, a problem for the studio if they cast someone that’s alienated a subset of the paying audience. I’m not interested in seeing it because I think Penn will suck on ice in this role. I seriously doubt I’m alone in that assessment. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/17 "2009-03-26T13:46:33Z")
Is this going to be an actual Three Stooges movie? or is it going to be a Biopic _about_ the Three Stooges ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/18 "2009-03-26T14:10:42Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Is this going to be an actual Three Stooges movie? or is it going to be a Biopic _about_ the Three Stooges Article says its going to be an actual Three Stooges movie. I have never liked Three Stooges stuff, but unlike most people in this thread, I am going to assume a cautiously interested posture about this movie. (Not quite up to the level of “optimistic” but just “interested.”) It’s an interesting cast. And at least two of the three generally picks good scripts, AFAICR. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/19 "2009-03-26T16:20:48Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > No, it’s really not. There’s no downside to me not being a particular fan of an actor, be it Penn or anyone else. My life won’t be negatively impacted if I give this one a pass. Of course there’s no downside to you. But it also matters not a whit to Penn or anyone else. What I meant was that it’s not Penn’s problem how you see him. > [@lieu](#): > > It is, however, a problem for the studio if they cast someone that’s alienated a subset of the paying audience. Well, that depends on if the subset is worth paying attention to. Most aren’t. If someone just doesn’t like Penn for general reasons or no real reason, well, them’s the breaks. Even the biggest and best movie stars have their detractors for vague “I just don’t like him/her” reasons. No studio is not going to cast a huge star based on the opinions of a few folks. If it’s a political opinion, based on the fact that someone loathes an actor’s politics, the opinion is worth even less. Much less. Next to nothing. _Less_ than nothing. At best it’s laughable, risible and silly. At worst it’s just brain-damaged and stupid. > [@lieu](#): > > I’m not interested in seeing it because I think Penn will suck on ice in this role. I seriously doubt I’m alone in that assessment. Well, I’m sure there are a few drooling freepers who would agree with you, but most everyone else would realize that Sean Penn is a two-time Best Actor Oscar winner, is considered one of our finest actors who can play several different types of roles, and whether they have any interest in this particular movie or not, would give him the benefit of the doubt as to being able to play a comedy character. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776/20 "2009-03-26T16:40:50Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > He was hilarious in **Sweet and Lowdown** and **We’re No Angels**. Obviously you’ve got the bar set in a far different position than I. Enjoy the show. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-jim-carrey-benicio-del-torro-as-the-3-stooges/490776.md?page=2)