I already posted about this about a week ago on The Movie Blog, but I thought it deserved to be mentioned here as well. When I was a kid in grade 6, Garfield was THE funniest thing in the paper. I loved it. I even loved the short lived cartoon series when it came out. Although you don't really hear much about the character anymore, I feel good about the idea of a live action film. Apparently the amazing Bill Murray has signed on to do the voice of Garfield which is probably the best move they could have made. I mean come on! Who doesn't want to see Garfield with Bill Murray doing his voice?!?! I also like the supporting cast they have lined up. Breckin Meyer (who was in the hilarious Rat Race) is playing Garfield's owner Jon Arbuckle, while Jennifer Love Hewitt plays Jon's love interest and Garfield's vet Liz. For some reason I think I'm excited about it. Oh, and by the way, Odie IS in it too. The film is already in production and has a set May 14th 2004 as it's release date. I'm such a looser. (Thanks to the good forlks at FilmForce.Net for the picture)
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Article comments
1 - alex
Aside from the rather obvious point that Garfield jumped the shark about 20 years ago, the idea of a live action movie seems wrong. If they must do one, it should probably be animated, but I suppose there's the problem that an animation consistent with the style of the strip would be too low-rent for today's standards - couldn't compete against the likes of Finding Nemo. You'd have to come up with a real story to hold the audience interest without much help from the visuals, and I'll wager they won't do that.
Bill Murray is perfect for the voice of Garfield. Hewitt may not be right for Liz, who should be pretty but not actually beautiful. Beautiful would be too obviously out of Jon's league.
2 - TDavid
I was never down for the whole Garfield thing, but I am actually a bit surprised considering his (at least one time) popularity that it took Hollywood this long to put something together.
I agree with you, Alex, that Bill Murray is a good voice for Garfield and that Jennifer Love Hewitt isn't going to be a very good love interest for Jon.
Not to be too cynical here, but I sure hope this doesn't turn out to be another Space Jam or Howard the Duck ...
3 - justin
i can't wait a gaafield movie is a great idea bill murry is a great voice but the guy who did the saturday cartoon version is better to bad he is dead