# 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:** 5
**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 20, 2010, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/81 "2010-08-20T13:29:32Z")
Y’know, I could just see Goodman playing Marshal Cogburn. Maybe he and Bridges could play him in alternating scenes… ---
**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, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/82 "2010-08-20T16:47:34Z")
Yeah, I think John Goodman could be a leading man. The only women he has ever kissed professionally as an actor is Roseanne Barr, and damn, the guy deserves better. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/83 "2010-08-20T18:04:39Z")
I’m a big fan of westerns but not of John Wayne. He is always too one dimensional for me. I’m looking forward to this movie. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/84 "2010-08-20T19:46:45Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > > [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > > > Don’t you mean “any mortal could”? John Wayne was the Keanu Reeves of his era. > > I don’t think anyone could watch his performances in _The Cowboys_ and _The Shootist_ and continue to believe that. …and **The Quiet Man**. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/85 "2010-08-20T20:31:06Z")
> [@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 Jeff Bridges isn’t playing John Wayne, he’s playing Rooster Cogburn. ---
**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 29, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/86 "2010-08-29T18:42:34Z")
See photo #24 here for Rooster and the li’l lady: [http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20409243\_24,00.html](http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20409243_24,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/87 "2010-08-29T23:28:08Z")
I believe it has a Dec. 25 release date. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/88 "2010-08-29T23:56:41Z")
Yep, Christmas day. > [@Yookeroo](#): > > Jeff Bridges isn’t playing John Wayne, he’s playing Rooster Cogburn. An absolutely perfect reply. Kudos man. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/89 "2010-08-30T01:06:35Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Jeff Bridges isn’t playing John Wayne, he’s playing Rooster Cogburn. Except that if you read the book, the character of Rooster Cogburn seems an awful lot like John Wayne. Wayne nailed that character. ---
**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:** [August 30, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/90 "2010-08-30T01:46:59Z")
Geez, the people who are so bonded with John Wayne just shouldn’t go see the movie. Stay home and watch the original. Those of us who loved the book, love the original movie but don’t think it’s sacred, love the Coen Brothers, love Jeff Bridges, and want to go to the movies on Christmas Day, will make up for y’all. It’s gonna be great! ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/91 "2010-08-30T02:37:24Z")
While it is hard to imagine any improvement on John Wayne’s characterization, there are other aspects of the original film that could be improved. Matt Damon may well be an improvement over Glen Campbell, for example, and Jeff Corey as Tom Cheney was poor casting. As I said upthread, it would be interesting to see the scenery match the book’s setting – Arkansas and the Indian Teritory (Oklahoma). Finally, while the original movie was very true to the book, including lifting most of its dialogue from the book, the ending was different. I’m not sure but what the movie ending was better, but at any rate, this is one of the few areas where the Coens would have room to be more faithful to the book. So I am willing to give the Coen’s some benefit of the doubt until I see the end product. Jeff Bridges, though, has some awfully big shoes to fill. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/92 "2010-08-30T03:00:04Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Those of us who loved the book, love the original movie but don’t think it’s sacred, love the Coen Brothers, love Jeff Bridges, and want to go to the movies on Christmas Day, will make up for y’all. Also those of us who can’t stand John Wayne. The man didn’t act – he swaggered. . ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/93 "2010-08-30T03:07:25Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Jeff Bridges, though, has some awfully big shoes to fill. Wow. Different strokes for different people. AFAIC, one of the greatest actors of all time should have no trouble filling the shoes of one of the very worst. . ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/94 "2010-08-30T03:22:46Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > What villainy is this? > > _True Grit_ does not need to be remade. \*True Grit \*should not be remade. Whoever this Jeff Bridges person is, he is not John Wayne. The Duke was the perfect Rooster Cogburn, and ever shall be. Oak hath spoken. So mote it be. I agree with my esteemed colleague. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/95 "2010-08-30T03:24:37Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > They’re not remaking the movie anyway, they’re filming a more faithful adaptation of the book. I spoke with Charles Portis about the film and he wasn’t terribly upset. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/96 "2010-08-30T03:43:08Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > While it is hard to imagine any improvement on John Wayne’s characterization, there are other aspects of the original film that could be improved. Matt Damon may well be an improvement over Glen Campbell, for example, and Jeff Corey as Tom Cheney was poor casting. Wayne, Strother Martin and Robert Duvall were perfect. Glen Campbell was in the cast as a token Arkansan and could certainly be improved upon. But it’s perfect. They shouldn’t remake it. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/97 "2010-08-31T00:09:18Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > > [@Spoke](#): > > > > Jeff Bridges, though, has some awfully big shoes to fill. > > Wow. Different strokes for different people. AFAIC, one of the greatest actors of all time should have no trouble filling the shoes of one of the very worst. > > . I recognize that your words are English, but they don’t make any sense in that order. Jeff Bridges is “one of the greatest actors of all time???” 😕 :dubious:😕 :dubious:😕 _De gustibus non est disputandum_, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/98 "2010-08-31T00:53:46Z")
Strangely enough, the only living guy I think could also play Rooster Cogburn is Robert Duvall. 🙂 Lee Marvin could have done it. “I’ve got five US Marshalls out here, and a bucket of coal oil!” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/99 "2010-08-31T01:02:47Z")
The fact that it’s the Coen brothers makes the project more intriguing to me than any of the casting. It will be their own vision, not just a shoddy walkthrough of the original. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/100 "2010-08-31T01:04:09Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It will be their own vision, not just a shoddy walkthrough of the original. Would you care to explain that, Laddie? 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155.md?page=6)