Chicago 7 Trial -- casting call

I've just heard that Aaron Sorkin has written, and Steven Spielberg is planning to direct, a feature film titled "The Trial of the Chicago 7" -- about the 1969-70 trial of eight political activists accused of conspiring to incite a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. (Spoiler alert: The U.S. National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence later characterized the violence that took place at the '68 DNC as a "police riot.") One of the defendants, Abbie Hoffman, is a personal hero of mine; I've read quite a bit about the trial, and already have strong opinions about the casting.

The defendants in the trial were: David Dellinger, renowned pacifist and antiwar movement leader; Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin, cofounders of the Youth International Party (Yippies), which aimed to radicalize the passive, hedonistic Boomer hippies; ex-SDS president and "Port Huron Statement" drafter Tom Hayden; antiwar activists Rennie Davis, John Froines, and Lee Weiner; and Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale. (Yes, that's eight, not seven defendants; Seale was severed from the case after being bound and gagged because he'd refused to stop calling the judge a "fascist dog," a "pig," and a "racist.") And we mustn't forget radical defense lawyer William Kunstler.

"The Trial of the Chicago 7," which will be produced by DreamWorks, is supposed to start shooting in March. If you could hand-pick the actors, readers, who would you choose?

DAVID DELLINGER: Dellinger was an extraordinary figure, by all accounts -- charismatic, intense, brilliant. He was 54 years old in 1969. An obscure Austrian named Timm Zemanek portrayed him in "Steal This Movie"; he deserves much better. Hmmm. Too bad, Gene Hackman is too old to play Dellinger; which actors are currently in their mid-50s? Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid, John Travolta, David Caruso, Mickey Rourke, Ray Liotta, Gary Sinise, Steve Buscemi -- intense, perhaps, but it's impossible to imagine any of them mobilizing tens of thousands. Kelsey Grammer, Bruce Willis, and Ron Howard have the right look -- balding -- but, no thanks. This leaves, by my reckoning, Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, and Daniel Day-Lewis. None of whom is cut out for an ensemble cast. Thankfully, I don't have to choose between them, because Jeff Daniels has supposedly been cast. Jeff "Dumb and Dumber" Daniels? Well, yes. But he was great in "The Squid and the Whale." I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

ABBIE HOFFMAN: A tricky role, because Hoffman was a mercurial figure -- in the mythological sense of that term. He was a passionate social justice and antiwar activist, but also a slick, canny salesman; that's why, in the 1978 thriller "The Big Fix," F. Murray Abraham plays a Hoffman-esque figure who's abandoned politics for advertising. Hoffman was also a sexy, macho, and very funny, Jew. (Norman Mailer called Hoffman a "ballsy wonder of a clown.") Vincent D'Onofrio, an un-funny non-Jew, attempted to portray Hoffman in the lousy 2000 biopic "Steal This Movie," based on Hoffman's autobiography. I was nervous that Spielberg might cast Leonardo DiCaprio. But no! According to rumor, an inspired Spielberg has cast... Sacha Baron Cohen. In his first dramatic role. Wow! I can't begin to say what a smart idea I think this is.

JERRY RUBIN: Another tricky role, if you ask me. In the Sixties, Rubin was a radical activist, an equally colorful but less funny version of Hoffman. In the Seventies, however, he drifted into est and other "growth potential movements," and in the Eighties he became a businessman. The title of Rubin's 1976 book, "Growing (Up) at Thirty-Seven," suggests that his youthful radical activities may have been an expression, not of moral outrage, but negative attention-seeking. An actor in his early- to mid-30s who can do an idealistic, angry-at-the-world future capitalist? I guess my vote goes to... Kevin Connolly, who plays the angry, business-minded Eric Murphy on "Entourage." Though he's a redhead, isn't he? Any other ideas, readers?

TOM HAYDEN: Not so complex a figure. Hayden was, and remains, an earnest, relatively straightforward political activist. He's an accomplished organizer and, though never particularly handsome, attractive to the ladies -- he's been married to two actresses, including Jane Fonda in her prime. Canadian comedian Tom Green is the right age, and has the right look; but should Hayden be played funny? Hmmm.

RENNIE DAVIS, JOHN FROINES, LEE WEINER: Davis, who later became a follower of Guru Maharaj Ji and then a venture capitalist, will reportedly be played by Tom Hanks's son, Colin. Froines, who was acquitted by the jury of all charges, and who later became a prominent toxicologist, should be played by someone unprepossessing and quietly ironic -- Fred Savage? Or the guy who played Pacey on "Dawson's Creek"? As for the fatalistic and cynical Weiner, who wanted nothing to do with the other defendants, and spent his time during the trial reading science fiction, I'm sorta thinking Seth Green, who plays Dr. Evil's son in the "Austin Powers" movies. I don't think any of these characters will be on-screen much, so it's not so important.

BOBBY SEALE: Another fascinating figure. Prior to his involvement in radical black politics, Seale worked a a jazz drummer, a sheet-metal mechanic, and as a comedian. During the Democratic National Convention, the BPP co-founder told a receptive crowd: "If the police get in the way of our march, tangle with the blue-helmeted motherfuckers and kill them and send them to the morgue slab." Seale was courageous, violent, angry, funny! Alas, in the terrible 1995 biopic "Panther," Seale was played by Courtney B. Vance, a straitlaced actor we've ever heard from again. As you can imagine, Spielberg is courting Will Smith for the role; this would be great for the box office. But bad for the movie. Smith is too likeable! Who would chain and gag him? How about, say, Derek Luke ("Antwone Fisher"), instead? Or maybe Method Man?

WILLIAM KUNSTLER: Spielberg isn't taking any chances. He's cast Philip Seymour Hoffman. Well, of course.

Together, these nine individuals managed to turn their own conspiracy trial into a free-wheeling referendum on the Vietnam War, not to mention the hypocrisy and violence of the established order. Good idea for a movie. Let's assemble a dream team, readers. Post your thoughts to this Braniac entry, or drop me a line.