Entertainment - by Joe Coscarelli on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 10:07 - 8 Comments - 44 views
Even mega-businesses like the film world are feeling the global belt-tightening as the world economy sinks deeper into recession. Luckily, Empire comes to Hollywood’s rescue in a feature they call “Credit Crunch Casting” in which pricey movie stars are paired with their low-budget doppelgangers—or at least passable knock-offs.
For instance, if your flick is begging for a Christian Bale-type, why not settle for 300’s buff German Michael Fassbender? Not a bad idea, Empire.
The Michael Pitt instead of Leonardo DiCaprio swap seems especially easy to pull off, although I do wonder if Pitt can do anything besides brood. Elsewhere, the Angelina Jolie/Shannyn Sossamon switch is guaranteed to save a few bucks. But overall, a nod to the British film mag for their IMDB digging—I mean, who the fuck is Jeffrey Dean Morgan?
Let’s do our own. Which A-lister has a lesser counterpart? I still can’t seem to tell the difference between Amy Adams and Isla Fisher…
8 Comments
Henry Chan
He’s the dead father from ‘Weeds’.
Helen Manning
And dead Denny from Grey’s. He never seems to last.
Wait, are you being sarcastic about Jeffrey Dean Morgan? He’s so cute! and likable! But Alvarez is right- I have confused him with Downey Jr. before- they look so similar.
And Pitt, while talented, is so uncomfortable to watch because I always feel like he was on crack in his former life and is now going through withdrawals.
Davina Pereira
Jeffrey Dean Morgan is NOT a poor man’s Downey. His talent and skills are at least equal, but I think better, than that of Downey. Yes, the two do look alike (and let’s throw Javier Bardem into the mix, as a lot of people say that JDM looks like him too, tho I can’t see it myself) but he is not a fill-in for people who can’t “afford” Downey. In fact, I suspect that many movie makers are actually choosing JDM, as his popularity is definitely on the rise and they know he can do the job better than most.
And yes, he’s unbelievably hot, too (which, of course, doesn’t hurt!).
Joe Coscarelli
I’m actually just mad that he was rumored to be dating Mary Louise Parker.
Maura O'Brien
Michael Fassbender is German-Irish. His family moved to Ireland when he was two years old. He’ll be s big as Pitt soon.
The Forbidden Kingdom with Michael Angarano knocking off Shia LaBeouf… my opinion.












Jeffrey Dean Morgan is playing The Comedian in the upcoming Watchmen movie. Good choice if you’re looking for a cheaper Robert Downey Jr.; when I first saw the Watchmen trailer, I really thought it was him.
But I think that was the point.