William Hurt is proposed as Cosmo.
Jon Voight is proposed, although his energy might be equally unhinged.
William Hurt is rejected as too normal for Cosmo.
Willem Dafoe is proposed and warmly received.
Kevin Costner is proposed for the lead for his humor, charm, and younger age; others still value Redford taking this role.
The formal Recasting Couch prompt is treated as already covered.

Mary Steenburgen reportedly considered for Liz; the panel discounts the significance.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:16:24Read transcript

The director reportedly resisted casting the older Redford, but his involvement then attracted the ensemble.
Mary Steenburgen is reported as considered for Liz, though the panel questions how meaningful that consideration was.

The intelligence-agency prank, phone-phreak inspirations, and the mathematical consultant.

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:30:10Read transcript

The director was reportedly fooled by a prank claiming naval intelligence wanted script changes.
Phone phreakers and Apple’s blue-box origins are discussed as context for the characters.
The panel reports that mathematician Len Adleman supplied authentic lecture material and was persuaded by the chance for his wife to meet Redford.

Convenient vents, Cosmo’s motivations, Liz exposing the operation, and Crease’s incomplete travel request.

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 01:38:07Read transcript

Carl’s access through ceiling vents seems to make the elaborate voice-password operation unnecessary.
Movie vents are criticized as implausibly spacious, clean, and accessible.
Marty is questioned for never checking what happened to Cosmo; his fugitive status is offered in defense.
Cosmo’s redistribution plan seems inconsistent with his wealth, threats, and violence.
Redford and McDonnell’s nearly identical feathered hair is mocked.
Liz’s computer-dating remark unnecessarily exposes the operation, although it fits her irritated cover persona.
Crease requests first-class airfare but neglects lodging and other travel expenses.

The NSA’s eventual surveillance powers, San Francisco status, hypothetical rewards, and Redford’s hair.

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 01:48:05Read transcript

The panel questions the heroes’ victory in light of later real-world NSA surveillance.
Sneakers is called a top-tier San Francisco movie, with a wish for still more recognizable city footage.
Geographic discontinuities in other movie chases lead to questions about Giants-ballpark appearances on film.
Liz declining a reward prompts hypothetical requests, including stopping Jordan’s baseball retirement.
Access to private screenings of new films is proposed as a reward.
Bill speculates about whether Redford wore a wig; others suggest hair dye, and no conclusion is established.
The speculation becomes a joking proposal for a podcast about actors’ hair, wigs, and cosmetic changes.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:59:17Read transcript

WarGames is proposed as a companion film.
Chooses Patriot Games for another day of technology and espionage with a major star.