# The Coen Brothers' next movie: True Grit **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 31, 2009, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155 "2009-12-31T05:17:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**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:** [January 6, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/61 "2010-01-06T22:30:05Z")
The premise is flawed anyway. No one could watch Keanu’s performances in **The Gift** and **The Matrix** and think that Keanu Reeves is the Keanu Reeves of his day. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/62 "2010-03-08T00:25:05Z")
The girl in TG is to be played by the relatively unknown Mattie Harris. I’m glad they didn’t go with someone whose name we all would have recognized. ---
**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 8, 2010, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/63 "2010-03-08T11:14:20Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > The girl in TG is to be played by the relatively unknown Mattie Harris. I’m glad they didn’t go with someone whose name we all would have recognized. Where did you hear that? According to IMDB, the character of Mattie Ross is to be played by [Hailee Steinfeld](http://us.imdb.com/name/nm2794962/). Here are [some stories](http://us.imdb.com/name/nm2794962/news#ni1645640) about it. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/64 "2010-03-08T19:23:15Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Where did you hear that? According to IMDB, the character of Mattie Ross is to be played by [Hailee Steinfeld](http://us.imdb.com/name/nm2794962/). Here are [some stories](http://us.imdb.com/name/nm2794962/news#ni1645640) about it. Sorry… insomnia. That’s my excuse. Good thing you’re here! ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/65 "2010-08-19T03:43:44Z")
… on this one, because I only saw it today on my Yahoo mail page. Everyone who knows me knows I revere the two Johns: Wayne and Cash, and it’s long been my opinion that no one can play either one with any amount of credibility although Joaquin Phoenix came close when he played Cash. Know who might come close to playing John Wayne in looks? That Morning Joe guy, Joe Scarborough. Although he probably can’t act worth a damn, he’s got John Wayne eyes. Hard to tell, but he may have the stature of Wayne in his younger days when he could walk more than 30 feel without having to stop and catch his breath. I like Jeff Bridges, but I don’t think he can pull this one off. Too many of us Wayne purists running around. Quasi ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/66 "2010-08-19T03:59:59Z")
Re “A Serious Man” I’m not a huge fan of that particular Coen movie. I agree with the New Yorker critic [David Denby’s characterization](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Serious_Man) > [@](#): > > David Denby from The New Yorker enjoyed the look and feel of the film, but found fault with the script and characterization: "A Serious Man, like Burn After Reading, is in their bleak, black, belittling mode, and it’s hell to sit through… As a piece of movie-making craft, A Serious Man is fascinating; in every other way, it’s intolerable . ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/67 "2010-08-19T04:44:43Z")
I too love John Wayne and his movies. I’m surprised so many people are taking this so seriously. It’s a good story. If the characters say the exact same things; and they film each scene the same way then I agree it would be one big suckfest. That’s not how it’s going to be. Oceans 11 was a remake that was equally (or better) than the original; and I’m a big fan of the rat pack. There are lots of remakes that I think were as good or better than the original. A quick internet search give me examples like Thomas Crown Affair; The Italian Job (the original was BORING), Heaven Can Wait. I for one, can’t wait to see it. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/68 "2010-08-19T05:19:37Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > … on this one, because I only saw it today on my Yahoo mail page. > > Everyone who knows me knows I revere the two Johns: Wayne and Cash, and it’s long been my opinion that no one can play either one with any amount of credibility although Joaquin Phoenix came close when he played Cash. > > Know who might come close to playing John Wayne in looks? > > That Morning Joe guy, Joe Scarborough. > > Although he probably can’t act worth a damn, he’s got John Wayne eyes. Hard to tell, but he may have the stature of Wayne in his younger days when he could walk more than 30 feel without having to stop and catch his breath. > > I like Jeff Bridges, but I don’t think he can pull this one off. Too many of us Wayne purists running around. > > Quasi I usually love your posts, Quasi, but I can’t agree with you on this. I LOVE _True Grit_. Rooster was the role Wayne was born to play, and “Fill your hands, you son-of-a-bitch!”, is one of the most defiant, badass moments in cinema history. Arnold Schwarzenegger thought so too, enough that he used a replica of Wayne’s rifle and copied Wayne’s twirl-cock-and-fire from atop a motorcycle in _Terminator 2_. That said, Jeff Bridges (at this point in his career) seems like a really credible casting decision, and Matt Damon is gonna kick Glenn Campbell’s performance to the curb. Robert Duvall brings so much to every role, I have my doubts Brolin can match his performance, but I’ll give him a chance to see what he can do with it. It’s as if people forget that a remake doesn’t erase the previous movie. That first movie is still there to enjoy. Often they’re disasters, but sometimes remakes can add their own unique touches, and sometimes they’re like reminiscing with an old friend - memories distorted and twisted by time, but still warm and pleasurable, and sometimes better for the changes made. As much as I like Kim Darby for her roles in \*Star Trek \*and _Better Off Dead_, I hope the Coens take the opportunity to dial down Mattie in the new version. She’s like nails on a chalkboard in the original movie. I’m most interested in seeing what the Coens do. I don’t think it’ll be the acting that will make or break the remake, but what they do. Finally, I wouldn’t go casting a morning talk-show guy because he has John Wayne eyes. Wayne could’ve worn sunglasses throughout True Grit, and still been 7 kinds of awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/69 "2010-08-19T05:47:15Z")
Good lord! I just realized the first part of my second sentence up there makes me sound like a religious hooker! 🙂 Q ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/70 "2010-08-19T08:04:14Z")
William Shatner, in the role that finally wins him critical acclaim as an actor in the waning years of his life. Either that, or you get Hamlet on a Horse. Either way, it rocks. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/71 "2010-08-19T10:59:11Z")
Huh. Sorry I gave you the impression I’d be stupid enough to actually _cast_ Scarborough as Wayne! 🙂 I _meant_ to indicate that, to me, _nobody_ can play Wayne. I meant also that when I look at his eyes, they remind me of Wayne’s. I _will_ concede that the _story_ and the other actors you mentioned _might_ be better than the original (Campbell for instance). They’re going to follow the book more, right? Well, okay - great. Also, did I give the impression I was against _all_ remakes as well??? Damn! I must really be losin’ it.🙂 Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/72 "2010-08-19T13:46:05Z")
I’m with Equipoise’s OP here – _True Grit_ is a book I have read and re-read with pleasure my whole life. The movie’s fine, and Wayne is given to do what he does best, so it’s a good outing. But a new look at the book by the Coens could only be awesome. It reminds me of another book/movie that could stand a remake: _Addie Pray_ aka _Paper Moon_. It’s a cute little movie but it covers only half of the hilarity of the book. It ends when _Addie Pray_ is just getting good and started. My copy of this book is in tatters. I’ve read it any time in my life when I’ve felt blue. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/73 "2010-08-19T14:05:10Z")
I just read _Addie Pray_ earlier this summer for the first time, having long enjoyed the movie _Paper Moon_, and I wholeheartedly agree with you. And much as I liked _True Grit_ and Wayne’s performance, I think - I _know_ - that Jeff Bridges will do a great job in the role, too. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/74 "2010-08-19T16:51:49Z")
Unneccesary remake. The original was fine. They have a right to remake it. I have a right to not be interested, for the reasons stated. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/75 "2010-08-20T01:09:21Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Huh. Sorry I gave you the impression I’d be stupid enough to actually _cast_ Scarborough as Wayne! 🙂 I _meant_ to indicate that, to me, _nobody_ can play Wayne. I meant also that when I look at his eyes, they remind me of Wayne’s. > > I _will_ concede that the _story_ and the other actors you mentioned _might_ be better than the original (Campbell for instance). They’re going to follow the book more, right? Well, okay - great. > > Also, did I give the impression I was against _all_ remakes as well??? > > Damn! I must really be losin’ it.🙂 > > Thanks > > Q It was probably me. In my experience, the internet consists mostly of people talking past each other. Still, we’re in agreement on the Duke being great in the role of Rooster, so we at least have a consensus on that.🙂 You didn’t give the impression that you were against remakes, I was just making a comment on the general hatred for them. “. . . It’s a rat writ, writ for a rat, and this is lawful service of same!” ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/76 "2010-08-20T02:10:42Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Good lord! I just realized the first part of my second sentence up there makes me sound like a religious hooker! 🙂 > > Q Nah, we had that pegged a loooong time ago. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/77 "2010-08-20T03:52:42Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > > [@pepperlandgirl](#): > > > > What? They adapt books? Or they adapt books that were once adapted into movies? Or they do projects that you aren’t excited about? > > Thanks for the snark. They remake movies that don’t need to be remade. The project has already been done and done well. If they wanted to remake a movie, there are hundreds out there that could benefit from a good director/producer/screenwriter to make them better viewing. This isn’t one of them. I’m sure the film will be good, but it just seems unnecessary. Normally I’d agree. But I’ll cut some slack for Joel and Ethan Coen. They don’t make lazy formula movies. So this is a remake I’m looking forward to. ---
**Author:** ![A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a87d85/32.png) [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/78 "2010-08-20T04:37:36Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Who would be better? You can’t go wrong with Sam Elliot playing a cowboy. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Captain\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/79 "2010-08-20T04:47:37Z")
No hope for Big Lebowski II huh? What is John Goodman going to do? He is in a lot of Coen movies. Maybe now that he is skinny (relatively) maybe he can be the Rooster. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/80 "2010-08-20T13:08:51Z")
John Goodman is skinny? He can’t very well be John Goodman then, can he? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155.md?page=5)