A Chrstmas Carol Fantasy Cast

Robert Downey Jr. as Ebenezer Scrooge
One of the top celebrities working today.  A likable actor who can get away with playing unlikable characters.  A natural performer that could bring a lot to the character of Scrooge.  Can do a very convincing British accent and he personally knows what it is like to have a life change for the better.

Other Potential Choices: Hugh Laurie, Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin, Eddie Murphy, Sam Rockwell, Tom Hanks, Jude Law, J.K. Simmons, Steve Martin, Michael J. Fox

Kristen Wiig as Cratchit
I would take a cue from Scrooged and recast Bob Cratchit as a single mother.  A mother who is looking forward to spending Christmas with her child is a great take to have on the honorable character.  Kristen Wiig can play timid and personal while still expressing joy.

Other Potential Choices: Judy Greer, Joan Cusack, Tig Notaro, Julia Roberts

Morgan Freeman as Jacob Marley
There is nothing quite like getting a talking to from Morgan Freeman.  Glory, Shawshank Redemption, and pretty much every other movie has Morgan Freeman putting someone in their place with an eloquent, intimidating speech.  If Morgan Freeman as a ghost told me to heed the warning of three spirits I would take him seriously.

Other Potential Choices: Andre Braugher, Ed Harris, George Clooney, Willem Dafoe, Samuel L. Jackson

Julie Andrews as The Ghost of Christmas Past
Instead of going with The Ghost of Christmas Past as a child, having some age and experience would be an interesting take.  Julie Andrews is a legendary entertainer that commands respect.  There is a warmness to her, but she can also be intimidating.

Other Potential Choices: Angela Lansbury, Carol Burnett, Doris Roberts, Bonnie Bartlett

Dwayne Johnson as The Ghost of Christmas Present
The Rock is huge in physique and in personality.  He is a larger than life entertainer and one of the most likable people on the planet.  There is a sense of joy to him.  Not sure how he would look with a full beard and a wreath on his head, but he could definitely act the part.

Other Potential Choices: Terry Crews, Will Smith, John Ratzenberger, Ken Marino, John Rhys-Davies, Leonard Maltin (odd choice, but Maltin has one of the best smiles and could be fun in the role)

Doug Jones as The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
This is the spirit that traditionally does not speak.  Casting an actor who can be expressive without dialogue will be important. 

Other Potential Choices: Andy Serkis, Bill Hader

Alfred Molina as Fezziwig
Fezziwig needs an actor who can just have fun.  While Molina is traditionally cast as a villain he is a diverse entertainer that would be fun to see in a different role.  He can ham it up and can do a lot with small roles like these.

Other Potential Choices: Michael Keaton, Christopher Walken, Jason Alexander, Kelsey Grammer, Joe Lo Truglio, Mark Hamill

Neil Patrick Harris as Fred
Youthful appearance, natural performer and extremely likable.  Fred needs to sincerely love Christmas and be a good enough actor to subtly show some love towards his cold uncle.

Other Potential Choices: Eddie Redmayne, Jake Lacey, Skylar Astin, Donald Glover, Aziz Ansari, Chris Pine, Tobey Maguire

Maya Rudolph as Belle
Maya Rudolph is a great actress that does not get enough work.  Scrooge's former love needs an actress that is just naturally likable.  Rudolph can play a love interest and bring a lot to underwritten characters.  You need to be able to understand why this woman means a lot to Scrooge and Rudolph can embody that.

Other Potential Choices: Zooey Deschanel, Amy Adams, Rosario Dawson, Lake Bell, Kristen Bell, Anne Hathaway

Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day as Collectors for the Poor
Casting a duo in the role of the charity workers that are turned away by Scrooge could be a lot of fun.  Sudeikis and Day have incredible chemistry.  They have done great work together in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Saturday Night Live, Going the Distance and Horrible Bosses.

Other Potential Choices: Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr., Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome, Jordan Peele and Keegan Michael Key, Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker

Kevin Spacey as Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol needs a classy, eloquent narrator.  I am surprised that Kevin Spacey has not hosted any award shows before, because he seems like a natural fit for that sort of performance.  He is a trained stage actor with an amazing voice.  Would be the perfect celebrity to tie this all together and keep it moving.

Other Potential Choices: James Earl Jones, Seth MacFarlane, Craig Ferguson, Sean Hayes, Bob Balaban, Robert Lipton, William Daniels

The Need for A Christmas Carol

            I get into the Christmas spirit very easily and wholeheartedly.  I love Christmas.  Outside of religious reasons I love Christmastime because it is the one time of year when it is encouraged and normal to be interested in toys, cartoons and to have a childlike mindset.  Christmas is always full of memories for me and I always seem to come across new ones.

            I completely devour everything related to the holidays.  I watch a lot of movies, read a lot of stories, listen to a lot of songs and watch a lot of cartoons.  As a consumer of Christmas there is one thing about the holiday that is very evident: There are a lot of adaptations of A Christmas Carol.

            There are movies of it, it is spoofed on sitcoms, theatre groups perform it and references to it are part of our cultural vernacular.  And every year there are even more versions added.  Each person has their personal favorites.  Be it the 1938 MGM film, Alistair Sim, Albert Finney, George C. Scott, Mr. Magoo, Scrooged, Flintstones, Patrick Stewart, or the original book.  The three Carols I watch every year are the lesser-known 1971 Richard Williams animated short, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Mickey’s Christmas Carol, which is my all time favorite holiday special.  Each has its individual take on Scrooge’s journey.

            So why are there so many tellings of A Christmas Carol?  And why do we keep retelling the story?  We all know the story by heart and it is one of the most retold stories in our culture.  An argument could easily be made that since it is such a familiar story that it is very marketable.  But that does not explain why we keep buying it.

            I think that the simple answer is that we keep telling and listening to A Christmas Carol, hundreds of years after it was originally published, is because it is a story we need to be reminded of.  If we look at our own lives we are most likely more like Scrooge near the beginning of the story than near the end.  No matter how many times we hear, see or tell it we are not learning from it.

            We are all uptight, concerned about gain or practicality.  We easily forget the good things that Christmas represents.  Things such as family, faith, good will to others and basic positive traits are easily forgotten amidst busy lives.

            Now I will never tire of A Christmas Carol, it is a perfect story that I always love.  But my challenge for everyone and myself is to try and act like Scrooge after he was visited by spirits.  To be open to change and focus on helping others, remembering family, being joyous in our actions and to keep Christmas with us throughout the year.

            Oh and God bless us, everyone!  Have a Merry Christmas!