Today brings great news for Deadhead cinephiles: Martin Scorsese (who turned 79 years old yesterday, by the way) is apparently “on board” to direct a Grateful Dead biopic with Jonah Hill playing the band’s famed leader Jerry Garcia. Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, the duo behind American Crime Story, are writing the script, but beyond that, not much else is known about the project at the moment.
This lack of information leaves a lot of space for imaginations to run wild, and indeed, since the news was revealed, they have all over Twitter. Building off the Hill casting, fans have been taking to social media to declare who they think should play other Grateful Dead members.
People threw out all kinds of picks for Bob Weir, even including his Dead & Company bandmate John Mayer, as well as Timothée Chalamet and Kurt Russell (for younger and older Weir, respectively).
https://twitter.com/kentdunne/status/1461394227435290629
My picks to play young and old Bob Weir: pic.twitter.com/DfikXeD0Su
— Vic Vela (@VicVela1) November 18, 2021
As for Phil Lesh, some folks reckon Martin Starr might be good for the role, as would Jason Segel or perhaps even Tilda Swinton.
https://twitter.com/apostrophebeats/status/1461389487066521600
I also think Jason Segel would make a solid Phil Lesh. pic.twitter.com/I9mREmca95
— Lon Harris (@Lons) November 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/johnsemley3000/status/1461382693145427970
Plenty of picks were made beyond those, even some involving other folks from the music world playing Dead members, so check out some more fan casting tweets below.
https://twitter.com/korbermite/status/1461406215485939720
https://twitter.com/Slade/status/1461396951157678080
Now we just need Martin Starr as Phil Lesh and Jay Baruchel as Bob Weir. https://t.co/JsW9v9PGQs
— Matt Wilstein (@mattwilstein) November 18, 2021
So Michael Cera is playing Bob Weir right?! https://t.co/QBnMu0YRSW
— Michael Davis (@MikeyD23_) November 18, 2021
Ryan Reynolds stars as wisecracking sidekick Phil Lesh alongside Hill's Garcia. Kumail Nanjiani will be cast as Bob Weir and will have 4 minutes of screen time.
— Jacob Klopfenstein (@JFKlopfenstein) November 18, 2021
Donna suggestion:
Natalie (Weyes Blood) Mering pic.twitter.com/mEdWHN9Lnh
— TheWarlarks 🍳veryfried (@forestpathband) November 18, 2021
Going to fill out the rest of the cast, will need some of that Scorsese aging/de-aging FX here…
Jim Carey as Bob Weir
Bill Hader as Phil Lesh
Michael C Hall as Mickey Hart
Jack Black as PigpenNeed a Donna Jean Godchaux. https://t.co/Tdx4HUfgVh
— Matt Tyson (@tysonfilm) November 18, 2021
Who is playing founding Grateful Dead guitarist John Mayer? https://t.co/F2CweGNl6M
— Steven Hyden (@Steven_Hyden) November 18, 2021
— Ray Padgett (@rayfp) November 18, 2021
Seth Rogen has gotta be Dylan.
— Trapper Schoepp (@trapperschoepp) November 18, 2021
Zach Galifianakis as Brett Mydland
— Mark Paul (@mryanjr87) November 18, 2021
Julianne Moore as Donna Godchaux
— ChinaBackedSunflower (@PourMaine) November 18, 2021
Jared Leto as Pigpen.
— Michael Elliott (@mikejelliott) November 18, 2021