Hoffman reportedly was originally attached as Frank with Michael Apted directing; the script had circulated since around 1987.
Redford is a reported Frank possibility.
Hackman is a reported Frank possibility.
Tommy Lee Jones is a reported Frank possibility.
Connery is a reported Frank possibility.
De Niro reportedly was offered Mitch after Eastwood joined but was making A Bronx Tale; the discussion imagines overlap with his other sinister roles.
Glenn Close reportedly declined Lily.
Sharon Stone reportedly declined Lily.
Ed Harris reportedly was considered for Mitch.
Willem Dafoe reportedly was considered for Mitch.
Both alternatives are thought capable, but neither would reproduce Malkovich’s particular performance.

Recasting Couch

Pullman, Baldwin or Mulroney as Al; Ridgely or Hall as president; Washington, Gyllenhaal, Crowe and Larson for a modern version

In the discussion (13)

Approx. transcript time · 01:06:30Read transcript

Redford as Frank opposite Hoffman as Mitch is an imagined All the President’s Men reunion.
Bill Pullman is suggested as Al and receives agreement.
William Baldwin is also suggested as Al.
Robert Ridgely is proposed to make the largely anonymous president more memorable.
Philip Baker Hall is another proposed president.
Dermot Mulroney is proposed instead of Dylan McDermott, though the problem is judged a mismatch between actor and character.
Denzel Washington is proposed for a modern Frank; a fictional disgrace could replace the Kennedy history.
Gyllenhaal is proposed as a modern Mitch.
Gosling is questioned as insufficiently explosive for Mitch.
A Washington–Russell Crowe reunion is floated, with concern about Crowe’s physical suitability.
Brie Larson is proposed for a better role in a modern version.
A more vulnerable, self-deprecating treatment of Washington’s age would be appealing.
Laura Linney is mentioned as another possible casting fit.

Half-Assed Internet Research

Sets; digital campaign footage; Clinton endorsement; Malkovich isolation; effects cost; trailer failure; studio split

In the discussion (8)

Approx. transcript time · 01:13:39Read transcript

The White House scenes reportedly reused an existing set.
The Air Force One set reportedly cost $250,000 to build.
Bush and Clinton campaign footage reportedly was digitally altered for the fictional reelection campaign.
The filmmakers reportedly decided against using Clinton’s endorsement in marketing.
Malkovich reportedly isolated himself for over a month to prepare, but was sociable and professional on set.
The digital effects reportedly cost $4 million.
An early trailer reportedly drew laughter at Eastwood’s final line and had to be remade; the trailer was not located during preparation.
A credit and contribution dispute reportedly led Castle Rock to leave Columbia the next year.

Picking Nits

Frank’s reinstatement; Lily’s availability; false alarm; ballroom escape; elevator decisions; unpaid bet; Oswald account; phone tracing; rescue; gun drawing

In the discussion (12)

Approx. transcript time · 01:18:25Read transcript

Returning Frank immediately to protection without even a fitness test is criticized as implausible.
Lily’s apparent availability and attraction to an older troubled man are questioned; the characterization of Frank as a raging alcoholic is disputed.
Frank remaining involved after the balloon false alarm is questioned.
Repeated official dismissal of Frank’s credible threat warnings is criticized.
Mitch surviving the failed shot and moving Frank to the elevator without being shot or restrained is considered implausible; crowd confusion is a tentative explanation.
Mitch’s failure to kill Frank in the elevator is criticized as an overlong victory speech.
Mitch’s failure to recognize that Frank is transmitting instructions is criticized.
An unpaid $20 Super Bowl bet lingering for years is questioned; the opponent is corrected from Buffalo to Denver.
The film’s unquestioning acceptance of the Oswald account is questioned given its release shortly after JFK.
Mitch’s repeated ability to defeat phone tracing is questioned; specialized assassin technology offers a possible explanation, and the keep-him-talking trope is enjoyed.
Frank trying to save Mitch is questioned, with duty and the distinction between death and justice offered in response.
The wheelchair expert openly drawing a gun before agents is considered implausible without a violent response.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Best model turned actress; missing Washington thrillers; Eagles tush push

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:25:21Read transcript

Russo is affirmed as the best model turned actress over the listed alternatives Lauren Hutton, Farrah Fawcett, Rebecca Romijn and Famke.
Andie MacDowell is a serious alternative, but Russo remains preferred.
Whether MacDowell deserves additional credit for having an actress daughter becomes a joking extension of the comparison.
The disappearance of strong Washington political thrillers is questioned; filming expense is a tentative explanation and House of Cards a recent example.
The ballroom evacuation is jokingly compared with the Eagles’ tush-push play.

Best Double Feature

Poster unavailable

Tightrope

Poster unavailable

Absolute Power

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:26:33Read transcript

Tightrope is a double-feature possibility.
Absolute Power is a preferred double-feature choice, with its strong premise praised more than its execution.

Producer review

Entertaining and grounded in history; Eastwood’s delivery too slow

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:28:40Read transcript

The film is enjoyed, with a nearby listener’s reactions used as evidence of compelling scenes.
The grounding in real history is praised.
Major stars playing terrible people is praised as a less common contemporary practice.
The immediate boat-scene opening is praised instead of a slow Washington montage.
Eastwood’s slow delivery is criticized from a younger viewer’s perspective.
Another view notes that this is relatively lively by Eastwood’s standards, while the complaint that he always seems too old remains.