When we asked readers of this blog to post their suggestions for actors to star in the new A-Team film earlier this year, one name was mysteriously missing from the slew of responses. Ving Rhames, The Wire's Idris Elba, Michael Clarke Duncan and Ice Cube were all proposed as possible candidates to replace Mr T in the iconic role of Sergeant BA Baracus, but oddly enough, no one thought to suggest Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
So, who is Quinton "Rampage" Jackson? Well, according to the trade papers this morning, he's the Ultimate Fighting champion set to strap on Baracus's trademark gold bling and make with the mohican in Joe Carnahan's forthcoming big-screen adaptation of the classic 80s TV show. Jackson, whose previous acting experience is limited to little-known films such as Confessions of a Pit Fighter and horror movie The Midnight Meat Train, will line up alongside Oscar winner Liam Neeson, as Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith, hot comedy star Bradley Cooper, as Lt Templeton "Faceman" Peck, and the newly announced Sharlto Copley, fresh from breakthrough success in Neil Blomkamp's recent genre favourite District 9, as Captain "Howling Mad" Murdock. Jessica Biel is set to play Faceman's ladyfriend.
A quick trawl through the interweb tells us that Jackson is a 31-year-old Memphis, Tennessee-born wrestler and boxer who held the UFC light-heavyweight title in 2007. He is currently a coach on the reality TV series The Ultimate Fighter. Jackson and Mr T appear to have a fair bit in common, although the latter had at least featured in a major movie, Rocky III, before taking the A-Team role. Both are born-again Christians, and both are trained in the martial arts – T studied at the Paul Lawrence Dunbar Vocational Career Academy in Chicago.
But one has to assume that what really got producers hot under the collar about the prospect of Jackson as Baracus is the former's rather volatile reputation. As all good students of 80s trivia will know, BA (it stood for "bad attitude") was a walking timebomb waiting to go off.
Jackson was arrested in June 2008 and charged with reckless driving and hit and run, not long after he lost his UFC title to rival Forrest Griffin. He was subsequently sent to a mental health institute for observation and is currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to driving against the traffic and driving recklessly as part of a plea agreement.
The casting looks at first sight like a huge gamble. BA Baracus is, after all, if not exactly a hero, a hugely familiar, iconic figure to millions who grew up watching the A-Team on Saturday afternoons, here and in the US. On the other hand – and excuse my glibness – at least they didn't cast a rapper. Common, fresh from pretty nondescript turns in Wanted and Terminator Salvation, was also said to be in the running.
What do you think about Jackson's casting, and are you holding out much hope for this one? Carnahan is said to be planning a serious approach, but surely there will have to be room in there somewhere for camper elements? Copley's appointment, at the very least, suggests something of a comedic approach, wouldn't you say?
