Henry's Eleven

So I was kicking back while watching some tv the other day. Ocean’s Eleven just happen to come on, and it made me think: Who would I need out of my pool of friends to make a successful casino heist? Well, I put some thought in it, and here is MY Eleven. Note that I didn't choose based on similar appearances. Rather, I chose based on abilities, similar characteristics, etc.

Danny Ocean – George Clooney ( the leader )
Played by: Me
I’m creating this list, so I get to be the lead guy. I would like to think I have some leadership skills in me which help keep the group focused and fresh. Besides, Danny gets the girl in the end.

Rusty Ryan – Brad Pitt (the right-hand man)
Played by: Trevor Acy
Trevor seems a nice fit for this role. Danny and Rusty work well together, and they rarely need to do much conversing to relay information. One is always one step ahead of the other, and this helps the planning go smoothly. Although not always the case, Trevor and I work very well together, an important ability for the leaders of the group.

Linus Caldwell – Matt Damon(the rookie)
Played by: Marty Brennan
Marty just started hanging around with our group this semester, so being the rookie is perfect. Besides, I think he could easily pull off the monotonous jobs in the movie as well as posing as a member of the NGC and pick-pocketing Andy Garcia. Of course, knowing Marty now, I bet he’d actually attempt to hit on Tess after watching her for several days rather than hold back. Shut up Marty…you know you would.

Basher Tarr – Don Cheadle(the explosives guy)
Played by: Paul Howell
If only you all knew how well Paul made explosives during our freshman year of college. The marks are still there! This guy WAS Basher reincarnate. I’d also fully trust Paul to steal a “Pinch” from a laboratory, as Paul was…well…pretty good at stealing things. I’m restricted from saying any more on the matter.

Livingston Dell – Eddie Jemison(the surveillance guy)
Played by: Adam Wandler
Sure, I have about four hundred computer wiz friends, but Adam just appeared to fit the role better than the rest. Adam would also be the only guy that could double as a technician and make it through security without causing a blip. Adam might blow his cover with a M.S.I. showing under his outfit, but I’m willing to take that chance.

Frank Catton – Bernie Mac(the con man)
Played by: Anthony Vizzini
Com’on, I know I’m not the only one that looks at Anthony in his black leather jacket, slicked back hair, and ragged jeans and thinks, “con man.” Although of a much lighter complexion than Frank, Anthony would easily pull off the blackjack dealer look with his trademark goatee-stache. I wouldn’t put it past Anthony to steal stuff from a Casino for the sake of stealing over $100 million either. He’s also got a slick way of talking, a trait Frank no doubt had down pat.

Reuben Tishkoff – Elliot Gould(the former Vegas hotel big wig)
Played by: Bill Wilson
I’m sure many of you(well, those NOT from Paris, TN) do not know who Bill is. He is my former employer and a great friend of mine and my family. But if you really get to know the guy, you know he doesn’t necessarily have the longest temper. He also has quite the fowl mouth. But hey, we all love him for these characteristics. And because of these human flaws he would be the perfect Reuben. I can see Bill wanting to exact revenge on someone that put him out of business(in this case, the hotel business), and I can also see him being a smart ass to everyone, just like Reuben in the movie.

Saul Bloom – Carl Reiner(the old pro)
Played by: Josh Collums
Saul was old reliable. Sure, he was out of the game for awhile when Dusty approached him, but he wanted in, even if he didn’t outwardly show it. In the end, he was one of the most important pieces to the heist. Josh is Saul, hands down. He’s reliable as hell, and he’s almost always willing to join in and go all out. I’d love to watch Josh and Terry Benedict go head-to-head like the movie.

Turk Malloy – Scott Caan (the cars & transportation guy)
Played by: Mike Bradley
Ok, so we needed a muscle man, as well as someone that knows about cars. Mike, you know cars, right? Great. Turk liked to argue during the course of the film, and from what time I’ve determined from my brief stints around Mike, he seems like a guy that could argue very well. He has the confidence to do so, and he’d probably win most of the time, like Turk. I also see Mike donning the chauffeur’s outfit in a moment’s notice without protest. Or maybe the personal bodyguard costume. Most importantly, Mike would be the perfect compliment to his younger brother…

Virgil Malloy – Casey Affleck (the cars & transportation guy)
Played by: Chris Moore
Chris has a mustang….so he should have automobile knowledge….right?? We’ll assume yes. He knows how to drive a manual transmission, so that’s good enough. Most importantly, I think it’d be fun as hell to watch Chris and his older brother(Mike) argue. I’ve argued with Chris before, and he and Virgil have many parallels.

Yen – Shaobo Qin(the grease man)
Played by: Jaimee Floyd
Ok, so our grease man is really a “grease woman”. Hmm, that doesn’t sound too nice. How about “acrobatic artist”? In either case, we’d need someone that can fit into tight spaces, contort their body, and be very acrobatic. Jaimee’s on the pom squad, and from basketball halftime performances you can tell she’d fit the bill. As opposed to Yen, we’d actually be able to understand her speech too, which is a plus.

What the hell, a small bonus. Tess was the 13th in the sequel, and Benedict looks like he might be the 14th in the next flick. So why not include them?

Terry Benedict – Andy Garcia
Played by: Andy Garcia
Uhm, is it just me, or is Andy the only person that could play this role?! You can’t really replace him.

Tess Ocean – Julia Roberts
Played by: Mallory Hacker
Tess had the looks, she had the strength, and she could definitely hold her own. She’s headstrong but knows how to have fun and let loose, just like in the sequel. I think Mallory would be the ideal Tess.