Its one of the AAA videogame franchises out there, yet somehow Metal Gear Solid has eluded the big screen treatment for years. Well, as fans continue to wait, for now, all we have is the fun of cooking up who should play what roles.
In the interest of Hollywood's current franchise model, I'm dropping names for all major roles for a 3-picture trilogy. I'm following the story of the first 3 solid games, as MGS4 basically just sees any surviving character return.
*note that some characters have multiple entries, and any that I bypassed could be played by any random actor*
also, be ware of SPOILERS
Let's Begin!
---------------METAL GEAR SOLID-----------
DONALD ANDERSON (Don Cheadle)
This might seem unconventional, but remember the DARPA cheif has to be Sigint from MGS3. Its hard to see any resemblance between the games, but movies are much more clear. I think Cheadle can pull off playing younger and older.
MEI LING (Jaymee Ong)
Mei Ling might seem minor because her contributions are game-specific (Soloton Radar, Saving) but she gives good advice, and becomes a key ally by MGS4. I like the young and cute TV actress Jaymee Ong.
VULCAN RAVEN (Michael Clarke Duncan)
I've loved Duncan for this giant shaman ever since he hit the scene, and no one has come along to change my mind. Who's more imposing than him?
PSYCHO MANTIS (Cillian Murphy)
He's got a creepy thing about him. Check out Red Eye and his obvious work as Scarecrow in Batman Begins to see why he works for the telepathic freakshow
SNIPER WOLF (Angelina Jolie)
Hey! Its a 'dream' cast remember? What wins me over is the sexy accent (Beowulf, Alexander) and I just think it would be great to see her in an ensemble as a bad guy again.
NINJA/GRAY FOX (Jeremy Renner)
Frank Jaeger is something of a tragedy in this whole saga, but I just think Renner would bring a lot to this. Just gotta get him training...
DR. NAOMI HUNTER (Rose Byrne)
The troubled and beautiful genetics doctor is one of my favorite characters. I pick Bryne because of her similar work in 28 Weeks Later. Also, I liked her accent in "Troy"
COL. ROY CAMPBELL (Alec Baldwin)
Snake's main support, and a man of some authority you can see it in Peal Harbor and The Departed. The audition is right there.
REVOLVER OCELOT (Sam Elliot)
Spitting image aside, he's just the right amount of gruff age and western flare. See: Tombstone
MERYL SILVERBURGH
Narrowing it down to 2. Kerri Russel is my first choice because her look fits better. Her turn in Mission Impossible III was a pleasant surprise.
But then along came Scarlett Johansson in Avengers and there's no way she doesn't nail this. Help!
DR. HAL EMMERICH (OTACON)
Engineered Metal Gear Rex, and later the closest thing Snake gets to a best friend. A cooler nerd than he used to be- kind of like Cusack himself. Especially considering MGS4, this is your guy.
If this were still the 90s, though:
SOLID SNAKE/LIQUID SNAKE
When people do these castings, they forget that Snake and Liguid are supposed to be twins. (At first, Meryl mistakes the two) When I think about actors that can be these two distinct guys, I come up with a couple of my favorites: Colin Ferrel and Guy Pearce.
Both can be gritty, work with accents, and have a dangerous vibe.
I'm split.
----------SONS OF LIBERTY---------
PETER STILLMAN (Forest Whitaker)
An easy one. The bomb specialist and mentor of Fatman is an early casualty of MGS2. I'd love a Whitaker cameo for this one.
FATMAN (Brendan Gleeson)
Probably my least favorite character of the series, this is an actor who could really spice it up. Shave his head and throw him on some skates. Laugh and grow fat!
EMMA EMMERICH (Ellen Page)
Plucky younger sister of Hal, she's just as adept with computers and design. Champion of girl geeks, Ellen Page is on call.
VAMP (Olivier Martinez)
Its hard for anyone to complete figure out what's going on with this guy. One things for sure, Olivier can pull off the dark mystique.
OLGA GURLUKOVIOCH (Carrie Anne Moss)
I like the aggressive Carrie Anne Moss. She'll be a foe, a ninja and an ally all rolled in one.
FORTUNE (Alicia Keys)
The soulful but edgy singer-songwriter showed what she could do in Smockin' Aces. I'm giving her a chance here over more obvious names.
ROSEMARY (Liv Tyler)
Ah, that feathery soft voice! Now picture that feathery soft voice saying, "Jack, do you know what day it is?"
SOLIDUS (Malcolm McDowell)
The larger than life McDowell could make this entire sequel tons more interesting with his presence.
RAIDEN (Hayden Christensen)
Is there a better young actor that's more fitting? As polarizing as the character I picked him for!
I also think the potential for transformation is definitely there.
------------------SNAKE EATER----------------
SIGINT (Don Cheadle)
He's back for part 3! We'll age him down as much as we can, of course, but I think the continuity will be worth it.
THE PAIN (Ray Park)
If you just watch this hornet soldier move, you'll see the connection. Park is fast and nimble, and will be a great fight for snake.
THE FEAR (Andy Serkis)
Sticking with movement, the master of mo cap could have fun as the spider soldier known as The Fear. CG the tongue!
SOKOLOV (David Straithairn)
The scientist who needs rescuing this time around is much meeker than we've ever seen before. This is a weird choice, but with some work, Straithairn would be very convincing.
THE END (Anthony Hopkins)
The ancient sniper and Hopkins are a match made in heaven for me. The End's role would actually have to be beefed up to give Hopkins more to do
THE SORROW (Hugo Weaving)
No stranger to moralizing, and tapping into something deeper, Weaving has my vote as the spirit soldier.
PARAMEDIC (Rachel Leigh Cook)
Effectively an encyclopedia of facts for snake out in the jungle, Paramedic also has a quirky side as a fan of movies. Cook seems like a good balance of smarts and naivete.
MAJOR ZERO (Cary Elwes)
They even sound alike. I can see Elwes taunting Snake about James Bond while they aren't worrying about the mission.
VOLGIN (Ed Harris)
I'm not focusing on the brutishness with Col Volgin. That's not interesting. For me, its that dictatorship- the complete command that he garners wherever he goes. That's what Ed Harris is for.
OCELOT (Justin Timberlake)
Crazy choice! But he's getting there (Alpha Dogs, In Time). My main reason is Ocelot's cockiness, which I think Timberlake could really run with.
EVA (Charlize Theron)
I've been locked on this choice for years. Really glad she's seeing a resurgence with Snow White and Prometheus. Time to sex it up!
THE BOSS
Few female characters are this strong and intriguing. She's got a hell of a backstory and a palpable commanding presence. Looking at someone who can be a mother, a teacher, a lover, a fighter- I want Michelle Pfiefer.
But with the Boss also comes an undertone of legacy. For that I think Lucy Lawless (Xena) brings that with her.
-------OTHER SNAKES------
I'm done, basically, but for shts and giggles, I thought I'd toss around some of my other Snake considerations. So hard to choose!