THE PINK PANTHER
Synopsis: Princess Dala of the Royal Family of Lugash comes to Paris on holiday from her duties. On the eve of this news notorious Cat burglar known as the Phantom announces he will steal her prized Jewel the Pink Panther. The French Government sends its most notorious inspector… Jacques Clouseau, assigined by Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus to watch over the Princess and make sure that she and her precious gem are kept safe, all the while Clouseau’s wife, Simone, works with the Phantom, notorious Billionaire Sir Charles Lytton, while his nephew George attempts to outclass him in what the two consider a friendly game of skill to see which of the two can steal the Pink Panther Diamond first.
INSPECTOR JACQUES CLOUSEAU - Jacques Clouseau is a clumsy, incompetent, but zealous policeman and detective, who speaks in English with a ludicrous French accent while other characters speak English, often with their own accents. Clouseau's accent is not emphasized in the first film; but from A Shot in the Dark onwards the exaggerated accent became part of the joke. It has been suggested that portraying the incompetent policeman as French is based on a British stereotype of the French police, or even the French population as a whole.
SACHA BARON COHEN – If there is any comedic actor that is versatile enough to play the role originated by Peter Sellers it’s Cohen. He’s got a wide career that in many ways seems to pay homage to Peter Sellers he’s played multiple roles while completely transforming into each role few actors are as truly talented as Cohen and even fewer could be perfect for the role.
CHIEF INSPECTOR CHARLES DREYFUS – Clouseau's superior, Charles Dreyfus, was introduced in A Shot in the Dark, wherein he held the rank of Commissioner. He is constantly driven to distraction by Clouseau's bungling, and is eventually driven insane.
CHRISTOPH WALTZ – He has made a name for himself, and seems partial to roles he hasn’t played and some comedic. I think if the script was right he’d be very attracted to the role and the diversity in the cast. Without a doubt fans of the original Peter Seller films remember Herbert Lom’s iconic portrayal seeing Waltz would show a genuine effort for a successful reboot.
CATO FONG – Cato is Clouseau's manservant, and an expert in martial arts. It is unclear whether he believes Clouseau to be a great detective or whether he merely humors him. It is a running joke that he is instructed to unexpectedly attack Clouseau, to keep Clouseau's combat skills and vigilance sharp. Cato often takes these instructions to the point of ambushing Clouseau in his own house. If they are interrupted during such an attack (as by a telephone call), Cato ceases to project the image of assailant and becomes a well-disciplined valet.
JAY CHOU – No one better to play the man inspired by the Green Hornet’s sidekick than the man who played him in a half comedic reboot of the original 60’s series. Jay Chou’s got comedic timing and martial arts ability two things necessary for Cato.
SIMONE CLOUSEAU – The persistent wife of Inspector Clouseau, while she may in some way love her husband she is no doubt attracted to and in league with the Phantom, going as far as assisting his robberies.
MARION COTILLARD – The amazing actress from paris, with the talent many actresses wish they could have. She is now a mother and like most parental actors and actresses she will more than likely begin gearing her career towards more kid friendly movies, and what better way than to do a re-invisioned Pink Panther film co-written by a group of comedic geniuses?
SIR CHARLES LYTTON/THE PHANTOM – "The Phantom" is a jewel thief; Clouseau's archenemy (after Dreyfus) in several of the films; and known to the public as Sir Charles Lytton He serves as the primary villain of the first film; but at the end thereof, Lytton, with help from Clouseau's wife and an exiled princess, frames Clouseau for his past robberies and has him temporarily sent to prison, igniting Clouseau's thirst for revenge in the third Sellers/Edwards film.
MARK STRONG – Strong is an actor who seems to be looking for a comedic role to break out of his serious demographic of action villains. Strong is an actor who I can envision easily in this role as he does have a comedic feeling to him and him in the role would be an inside joke as he had played Green Lantern Character Thaal Sinestro, who’s look was based upon Niven’s. It would be an awesome feet for Strong to play a semi-serious, semi-comedic role.
GEORGE LYTTON – The Brash, headstrong, handsome, and skilled jewel thief nephew of Sir Charles, who concocts his own plan to steal the Pink Panther Diamond once The Princess arrives; is attempting to outclass his Uncle in talent and skill.
CILLIAN MURPHY – A great actor, one who fits well in any genre he enters with the material available with the cast and crew he’d fit right in and leave his own mark on the character originated by Robert Wagner.
PRINCESS DALA – Princess of the Country of Lugash, as a young girl she received the Pink Panther Diamond as a gift, now after years of waiting she plans on going on a fabulous Holiday, little does she know the man who’s threaten to steal the very gem she holds dear is closer to her than she thinks.
GEMMA ARTERTON –She is a beautiful actress that I could envision being a princess. This role would be tailor made for her for reboot/remake, and she is a very fantastic actress that could do this part well.
PROFFESSOR AUGUSTE BALLS – Professor Auguste Balls is an eccentric shop owner who supplies Clouseau with his numerous disguises.
STEVE CARELL – Since he has left the office I feel that his career could open up for such a role. While it may be a small role, it’s certainly a recurring one, as Clouseau is a sleuth of disguesis. Once I cast Clouseau I had rethought to see if Carell would be better suited but in the end I chose Baron Cohen for many reasons – Namely his Gary Oldman like acting. Carell is an actor I have respect for and I really would love to see him somehow involved with the franchise.