A year or so back, I was browsing through my local bookstore when I finally picked up something I had been meaning to get for a while. This was the paperback version of IDW's 2009 adaptation of the first novel in Richard Stark's "Parker" series, "The Hunter", whose art and plotting were handled by Darwyn Cooke.
In this initial story (set in 1962 New York), info courtesy of the dreaded Wiki:
"The plot concerns a criminal, Parker who, having been betrayed, shot, and left for dead by his partner and wife, embarks on a relentless quest to retrieve his money and wreak revenge. He chases a past associate who betrayed him in a heist and left him for dead. He survives, but is arrested by the police. Slowly and methodically, Parker tracks down Mal Ressnick, his former accomplice, who intimidated Parker's weak-willed wife into shooting her husband after the job had been completed. When the gambling syndicate known as The Outfit refuses to return to Parker his share of the loot Ressnick gave them to make good on a debt, Parker takes on The Outfit as well, a storyline that figures in several subsequent books in the series."
The Parker character, in addition to the 23 novels that Donald Westlake (Richard Stark is a pen name) penned, his character has been adapted into film multiple times, where he was played by actors such as Lee Marvin, Mel Gibson, and most recently Jason Statham. However, long before the Statham vehicle came out, after reading the Cooke adaptation I felt that this original story should be adapted into an animated film, one that would've been preferable over the Statham film. To that end, the fancast gears started turning. Here's how I see it:
1. The film would air on HBO, STARZ, Showtime or the like, or even on FX or CBS. The stuff that goes on in this story would make Mad Men or any similar period pieces currently on look like the activity found on a school playground.
2. The art and character designs would be done by the same art team from Justice League: The New Frontier, which itself was adapted from a Darwyn Cooke work. BUT, it would be black and white, with a hint of the blue you see throughout the graphic novel.
3. The music present would be jazzy, I mean REALLY jazzy. Think about it: Dave Brubeck, Hank Mobley, Lalo Schifrin, the works. That kind of music really lends itself to the atmosphere in this story.
Now, let's get to the best part--my voice cast for the movie, in order of appearance:
Perlman was the first one I thought of to narrate this film. His voice fits right in with the narration you see throughout the graphic novel, and it's perfect for a noir-type story.
"A ruthless career criminal, Parker has almost no traditional redeeming qualities, aside from efficiency and professionalism. Parker is cold, methodical, and perfectly willing to commit murder to get what he wants. He does, however, have a rigid code of honour, in that A) he will absolutely not double-cross another professional criminal with whom he is working, unless B) if anyone tries to double-cross him, Parker will unhesitatingly undertake to exact a thorough and brutal revenge.
Parker's first name is never mentioned in the novels, and there are many details about him which remain unknown. In fact, the name "Parker" might itself be an alias."
When Picking McMahon, I went through a bit of his acting 'resume', and with some of the 'real mean' guys he's played over the years (see "Charmed", "Nip/Tuck", "RED"), he'd be perfect for voicing someone as cold and ruthless as Parker.
Said weak-willed wife, who after being intimidated into doing so, shot Parker after the heist the group pulled and fled back to the States with Mal. When confronted by Parker himself, she ends up OD'ing on the sleeping pills she used to try to get herself to sleep--she developed insomnia trying to believe that Parker died.
Hunter is no stranger to drama in its many forms, and I felt she'd be the best choice to voice a character as tragic as Lynn.
Stegman's an associate of Ressnick's whose auto dealership acts as a front for the Outfit. Parker forces him to fess up that Mal is in New York, threatened by the two things Parker considers his best weapons: his own two hands.
Pantoliano's got the right voice for a weasly schmuck like Stegman, and I stand by that claim.
Mal's the partner who betrayed Parker in order to make off with 80% of the money their group stole in order to pay a debt he owed to the Outfit. When he hears from Stegman about Parker's return, he gets so worried that he does all he can to keep himself out of his sights, after being told by his bosses in the Outfit that he was on his own on this one.
You all might know Irrera as the voice of Ernie Potts, the dwarfish wrecking ball operator on "Hey Arnold!". I thought his voice was right enough for Mal, as using my original choice of Michael Chiklis would've brought too much of a connection with McMahon due to their shared experience in the 2005 Fantastic Four film.
One of the madams for the Outfit, and a longtime associate of Parker's; Rose is the alias she uses while 'on the job'. Parker presses her for information regarding Mal's location, which she eventually divulges under duress. She then decides to pack up and leave town, not wanting to bring down the wrath of her superiors for ratting out an operative.
Dushku immediately came to mind when thinking of a sultry voice for Wanda, and I'm sure most of you (especially tweeeeenkies3) will agree with me. ;)
Carter is one of Ressnick's bosses at the Outfit, who gives him the ultimatum for taking care of Parker himself--the Outfit won't supply anyone else to help him. Parker eventually confronts Carter (whose front is in the form of an investment firm), which leads to Parker's first confrontation with Bronson, the head of the Outfit.
Angel is a voice acting legend, I couldn't think of anyone better suited for this character than him. That applies to the next guy....
One of Ressnick's other superiors, next to Carter. He's next in line after Parker finishes with Carter, and it's Fairfax who sets up the money drop for Parker through Bronson.
I felt Gautier (who you 80's kids may know as Rodimus Prime on Transformers or Serpentor on G.I. Joe--or for you 60's kids, Hymie the robot on Get Smart) had a decent enough voice for Fairfax, especially after I remembered his guest role in the episode of "Batman: The Animated Series" that introduced Clayface--who ironically enough was played by Ron Perlman!
Additional Voices
-Richard Moll as the voice of Bronson (Carter and Fairfax's superior)
-Dee Bradley Baker as a motorist, teller at Midtown Financial, cab driver
-Grey DeLisle as a Citybank teller, Pearl, Linda
-Phil Morris as a World Bank teller, beat cop Murphy, card player cop, Outfit driver
-Rob Paulsen as Sidney the messenger, beat cop Don, card player, Outfit gunman
-Kimberly Brooks as Irma, barfly at The Crown, salon girl
-Kevin Michael Richardson as Carter's doorman, Benny, Outfit gunman
And that's a wrap, guys and dolls!
For taking the time to see this, ladies and germs, the DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET: