Two Actors Enlist in A-Team

News has come down the pike this week that the long rumored "The A-Team" film may have found two of it's stars. Both Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper are in talks to star in the 1980's television adaptation feature film for 20th Century Fox. The report debunks the claim that Cooper would not be starring in the film. "The A-Team" will be directed by Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces) with production set to start in August for a June 2010 release. Scroll down to see just who Neeson and Cooper are in line to play.

First off, Liam Neeson is in final negotiations to play the A-Team leader Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith. Of the names that have been thrown around for Hannibal, Neeson hasn't been one of them, so the announcement is a bit of a shock. Intially I wasn't to sure on the idea of Neeson smoking a stoggie and leading the group of mercenaries, but after a bit of thought, I think this just might work. One thing is for sure, Neeson looks nothing like George Peppard, but that doesn't mean he couldn't fill the role of Hannibal in grandiose fashion.

Second up is Bradley Cooper. Cooper would play Lieutenant Templeton "Faceman" Peck. Bradley Cooper who has proven to be a upcoming commodity after recent success with The Hangover should prove to be a perfect Faceman. The role was originally played by Dirk Benedict.

Still left to be casted are Captain H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock and Sergeant Bosco "B.A." Baracus. Rumors had earlier reported that rapper turned actor Common was in talks to play Baracus (which isn't too far fetched considering Caranhan and Common worked together on Smokin' Aces). I hate the idea of Common as Baracus but, the options are pretty slim. He definately would be better than Tyrese Gibson or Ice Cube (both also rumored). I know this next idea might be a sin in some circles, but Carnahan may want to abandon the entire "Mr. T" gimmick altogether. There is only one "Mr. T" and no real need to try and replicate him.

"The A-Team" will retain the original television show premise of: Four war vets wrongly convicted of armed robbery escape from a military prison to become do-gooder mercenaries. Variety reports the difference will be that the film will lose the campy nature and replace it with a tone similair to Ocean's Eleven. I hope that means an intelligent "The A-Team" that is equally witty.

What say you? Do you like the idea of Neeson as Hannibal and Cooper as Faceman? Do you trust that Carnahan will make a quality A-Team film? Strikeback...