We wrote about this a couple of days ago, but it seems that the rumors are now being confirmed. This summer's breakout star, Sharlto Copley, from "District 9" is now in final negotiations to portray "Howling Mad" Murdock in director Joe Carnahan's adaptation of the cult 1980's television show, "The A-Team".
Not only will Copley be joining the team but we also now have news that Jessica Biel will be joining the rouge squad as the former love of "Faceman" (Bradley Cooper). Don't you love it when a plan comes together? You can get some more details when you hit the jump.
I'm too young to have grown up watching "The A-Team" when it was TV during the 80's, but I was lucky enough to grow up when the reruns used to air every day after school at 4pm on a local L.A. channel. Me and my friends used to go home, watch the latest episode, and then talk about it the next day at school. I hate to use the word "cheesy" so I'm instead going to describe the show as being "campy" and a ton of fun. Just reading the character descriptions in the THR report makes me giggle. The show was always pretty silly, but it was also always awesome. I like to think that Joe Carnahan knows exactly what he is doing with this one and I'm hoping that we get treated to one super fun popcorn film when the time comes.
I'm also very happy to see Copley join the cast since he was pretty amazing in his debut performance in "District 9". To those that don't know, Murdock was the wild card of the group, the Army's best chopper pilot who is also suffering, in an over-the-top manner, from delusions, memory loss, and hallucinations. Dwight Shultz originated the role in the TV series.
As Steve wrote in his article concerning Copley's rumored casting, he was happy with the casting since the main reason is he'd be part of a team and he wouldn't have to carry the entire picture, and I couldn't agree more. I think that Copley has the potential to be a huge star and I think that landing a role which might end up with him being the "scene-stealer" in a summer blockbuster is a good choice for the actor. I'm also guessing that Biel will serve as some eye candy and I'm totally fine with that.
To all of those that don't know what's up with "The A-Team", I'm just going to quote the awesome opening lines to the intro right now.
"In 1972 a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team."
Copley and Biel will now be joining a cast which already includes Liam Neeson as team leader "Hannibal", Bradley Cooper as "Faceman", and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as "B.A. Baracus". "The A-Team" begins production later this fall in Vancouver with Joe Carnahan directing, while Ridley and Tony Scott produce.
