Cooper, Neeson Confirmed for ‘A-Team’ Remake

Published by Jeff Leins on: June 9th, 2009

Bradley Cooper and Liam Neeson are officially in discussions for a feature film adaptation of the 80’s TV series “The A-Team.”  The movie, currently going by the simple title The A-Team, is being directed by Joe Carnahan (Smokin’ Aces).  Ridley and Tony Scott are producing.

The plot centers on a group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the U.S. military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed.  The campy nature will be replaced by a tone closer to Mission: Impossible or Ocean’s Eleven, according to Variety.

Neeson is set to portray the team’s leader, Col. John “Hannibal” Smith, and Cooper will play Lt. Templeton “Faceman” Peck, a smooth-talking con-man who serves as the team’s appropriator of vehicles and other useful items.  Cooper has been rumored for the role for a while, but the IESB.net was the first to get a confirmation, albeit a sneaky one.  A writer for the site blindsided him in a hotel hallway with basically “How does it feel do be playing Face?”  The actor said, “That’s out already?”  Tricked into early headlines.  Cooper later tried to deny it, likely coerced by the PR people at Fox, setting up a lame trade paper announcement only three weeks later.

Ice Cube and Common have expressed interest in playing B.A. Baracus, the mohawked character popularized by Mr. T.  Capt. H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock, the team’s pilot, has yet to be cast but Woody Harrelson was rumored at one point.  Production begins in late August for a release July 11, 2010.

What do you think?  Excited about the A-Team being reformed, or don’t care?  How’s the casting so far and who would you pick for the other half?  (Besides Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.)