I am not Persuaded

This news dates back to last May but I only just caught it. Last year, I was aghast at the thought that my beloved TV show, The Persuaders, would be remade with Ben Stiller and Steve Coogan. Now I read it’s George Clooney and Hugh Grant.
   It still shows how Hollywood is short of ideas, but like the remake of The Italian Job—the original was less known in the US—The Persuaders could still find an audience in the US.
   However, we fans think it’s a bad idea.
   But I have to admit that Clooney is a better choice than Stiller. He is greying just as Tony Curtis did in the original series. The sort of banter that Curtis had with Roger Moore was seen in Ocean’s Twelve, with the conversations about his age with Brad Pitt.
   Ten to fifteen years ago, I would have said Jack Scalia for the Tony Curtis role, but if it is to be remade and nothing can be done to stop it (WGA strike aside), then Clooney is as good a choice as any American.
   But Hugh Grant as an aristocrat with the polish of Roger Moore? I think not.
   Other ex-Bonds could do a better job, not to mention Colin Firth. Clooney needs a Brit who can be his equal and I can only see Grant playing second fiddle. Unless they mean Cary Grant and the casting involves a psychic medium.
   Word has it that Stiller is behind the camera, co-producing. Now, I like Stiller’s sense of humour but this is an oh-so-English TV series. I still have my doubts.
   This is nearly as bad as the idea that Brad Pitt will be Frank Bullitt in a remake of the Steve McQueen movie.