Brolin May Replace Bardem in ‘Wall Street’ Sequel

Published by Jeff Leins on July 27, 2009

Josh Brolin may replace Javier Bardem in Money Never Sleeps, the upcoming sequel to Wall Street directed by Oliver Stone.  Filming is scheduled for next month for a February 2010 release.

Bardem left the sequel recently after only a month attached to the movie because he has “five or six other offers.”  According to Nikki Finke, his No Country for Old Men co-star Josh Brolin is in discussions to replace Bardem as an evil hedge fund manager with shady practices.  It would be Brolin’s second time to work with the director after W.

Finke also learned the script is locked and ready to go for shooting, if it ever starts.  Michael Douglas is reprising his role as Gordon Gekko, the greedy, fast-talking broker that won him an Oscar.  His character is fresh out of prison and dealing with business in the changed market.  Shia LaBeouf plays his potential son-in-law, who investigates the hedge fund manager for murder.

A lot has been said about the timing of the movie and Stone’s propensity to rush a production to capture a subject, but no one can really explain why a sequel is being made.  Is there any reason to revisit it?  The themes of the original still apply today and Douglas’ performance holds up.  Instead they’re returning to the story for a romantic subplot and a murder mystery?  If I were one of those red-faced stock analysts on TV, I’d strongly recommend a “sell.”