B.J. Novak Cast in Tarantino’s Inglorious Bastards

Posted on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta

It looks like we might be in the full swing of the line-up reveal of Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Bastards. Yesterday it was revealed that friend and horror director Eli Roth was in talks to play Sgt. Donnie Donowitz. And tonight is was released in the trades that The Office star B.J. Novak is in talks to play PFC Utivich, a New York-born soldier of “slight build”. I’m guessing that we will continue to get announcements on a daily basis leading into next week.

The film is expected to begin principal photography this Fall in Europe. Tarantino has publicly expressed interest in having the film ready for Cannes in May 2009, but that might be cutting things a bit close.

I havent gotten a chance to watch The Office (I know.. I know…), so I have no real observation or opinion on BJ’s casting, other than to say that it seems a bit unexpected. So I leave the question to you the /Film readers - What do you think about B.J. Novak cast in a Quentin Tarantino film?

Comments

moulie

I can't believe they cast him, his role may then be limited on the office this season. He's a total douche, but we'll see...

tone

i haven't read the script yet, but personally i think its a great casting move. i think hes a great untapped source for acting.

ruben

ive seen him in the office which he also takes part in writing often times
ive also seen his stand up and i like him
but idk how he will hold up in a war epic

and how can you not see the office its the funniest show on tv

Oh Blair

He will be the comic relief, well hopefully.

bob

neither novak nor roth's character have significantly large rolls. after reading the script i was kind of upset they didn't get more play. i was surprised allot of the movie centers around other great characters and not just the Jewish/American soldiers.

i knew roth would be def be getting a roll in this movie.

Palmer

To me, he will always be the intern.

gah

This guys great. Glad to see him get a gig outside the Office.

Justin

It's no more of a "hmm" choice than someone like Adam Goldberg in Saving Private Ryan.

That said, Novak, I think, can deliver a load of dialogue naturally.

Captain Awesome

Who?

J'osh

Hmmm, I really can't see him able to play anyone but Ryan. So I assume then that the character is a sardonic douche. The guy has very little range, his attempt to come across as strung out druggie this season was horrible.

790

This is all brought on by Cocaine and late night parties at Tarentinos house in the Hollywood hills.

The guy is loosing it.

Jmoney

i think this is good casting, i will trust QT's judgement when it comes to this kind of thing, because really can anyone name someone QT has cast that hasn't worked out?

I'm sure people were questioning Travolta's casting, or David Carradines.

let's wait and see

Heftybag

We all think he can only be Ryan because we have only ever seen him as Ryan. I think he will be able to pull this off well. He was always a writer first so this should be interesting.

P.S. Who ever would of though the kid from Big would've been so good in Saving Private Ryan - Maybe this Ryan has some great acting depth we dont know about

harry

I think both Eli Roth and BJ Novak are good casting. We need to keep in mind that the American military of WW2 was not a volunteer army but a citizens army. This means that there would be people from every walk of life. The nerds, the jocks, the bullies, the geeks etc. If BJ is playing a Jewish American soldier with a sardonic sense of humor then he can pull it off for sure. No one should necessarily expect him to be playing GI Jew.

Rudy

Great move. And actually a great compliment to Roth's casting. Normal looking, unassuming guys like those who actually served in WWII and well, every war.

Imagine if the cast of Band of Brothers (more often scrawny geeks than John Wayne wannabes) had made a balls to the wall WWII action movie instead? Thats a movie I wanna see.

Maxime

He's gonna be the sidekick.

Bad choice for the film. Again

The Jezzus

All this casting hate really brings back memories of when Heath was cast for Dark Knight. Is this case different? I think not.

Not only that but Tarantino has taken heat for casting choices for damn near every flick he was involved in. This ain't new.

Mix in a little bit of SlashFilm-Tarantino loathing and you got yourself a nice hate stew.

Brad Pitt is going to murk this role.

A.J.

I love the office! B.J. Novak would make a great side-kick/off kilter kinda character. I love Tarantino too! so it's all good in my book!

Meli

I don't know how big of a role this is, not that it matter, but I'm
interested to see B.J. in something other than The Office. I like him
a lot...and thought he was pretty funny as Ryan on the show even
when he turned into an utter a-hole, he did it well. He went from
likable temp to arrogant executive.

Jmoney

the guy was also on Punk'd

chad

i think its great. i actually wish they would cast ALL unknowns.... im sick of seeing BIG actors.. i just rented a film called "the signal" and it was refreshing to not know any of the actors... i get tired of thinking "oh its BRAD pitt as this guy, or its angelina as THAT girl"

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