On Chat and Bother, we love the classics. We grew up on them, we quote them daily, and apparently, you all judge me for not finishing Love Jones. But if you had the power to remake one iconic Black film from the ’80s or ’90s, with a modern cast, which would it be?
In a recent episode, we threw around some legendary titles:
- Harlem Nights (1989)
- School Daze (1988)
- Lean on Me (1989)
- Set It Off (1996)
- The Last Dragon (1985)
- Love Jones (1997)
- New Jack City (1991)
Before we decide if these movies should be remade, let’s talk about the casting.
Related Podcast Episode: Q&A Sunday – Which Black Movies from the 80s and 90s Shaped Our Generation?
After some heated, hilarious debate, we landed on The Last Dragon as the one most overdue for a stylish, modern remake. Why? Because we have to see who today’s Sho’nuff would be.
We nominate Deon Cole, yes, THE Deon Cole, as the over-the-top villain Sho’nuff. He’s got the timing, the delivery, and just enough chaos in him to pull it off. We know it – he knows it. He was Sho’nuff for Halloween one year, so I know he’s into the idea.
For this role, we need someone who can go all the way over the top while staying hilarious, intimidating, and watchable. So if Deon Cole says no, we have a few options: Affion Crockett, Marlon Wayans, Orlando Jones, and Busta Rhymes – four wildly different, but totally legit contenders for the glow.
Affion Crockett
Why it works:
Affion Crockett is a master of physical comedy and impersonation. Sho’nuff isn’t subtle—he’s martial arts theater. Affion has the agility and comic timing to make the role his own without turning it into full on parody. I feel like he would honor the original but bring some updated flair and a coolness that the character embodies. Plus, his experience in sketch comedy means he understands how to play exaggerated characters with discipline. He wouldn’t be loud, he would become Sho’nuff.
Bonus: He could probably choreograph some of the fight scenes himself. He shows off some of his skills on social media…
Marlon Wayans
Why it works:
Marlon can go from manic to menacing in a blink, which is exactly what Sho’nuff requires. He’s not just a goofball – he has serious acting chops. He has proven that he can do both comedy and drama. If Sho’nuff needs to feel unhinged but magnetic, Marlon could deliver a version of the character that balances comedy with a little bit of crazy.
Bonus: He already does Muy Thai… just sayin.
@marlonwayans Putting that work in… Preparing for everything this next phase of my career God has for me. #marlonwayans #muaythai ♬ original sound – Marlon Wayans
Orlando Jones
Why it works:
Orlando Jones is one of the most underrated character actors of his generation. He has that rare ability to go from deadpan to explosive, which is what we need. Jones could bring an unexpected gravitas to Sho’nuff that makes the character both ridiculous and mythic. He’d elevate the role from camp to legend.
Bonus: He’s got that intensity that could make even the most ridiculous lines feel threatening, but also fun? Yeah – that.
Busta Rhymes
Why it works:
Listen. Busta already was Sho’nuff in the “Dangerous” music video. He’s got the size, the voice, the hair, the energy. Casting him would be a case of art imitating art imitating art. He’s naturally larger-than-life and wouldn’t even need to act like Sho’nuff, he is Sho’nuff. Plus, the culture would go nuts for it. The memes alone would break the internet.
Bonus: He might insist on doing his own soundtrack, and you know what? That’s totally fine with us.
Alfred Enoch or Rome Flynn
As for Bruce Leroy, our fantasy casting leaned toward someone like the light-skinned long neck dudes that always got cast in How to Get Away with Murder. Either Rome Flynn who played Kristoff or Alfred Enoch who played Wes Gibbons. If Chris Brown hadn’t gone off the rails, we might have said him, but we can’t have his shenanigans hold up the production.
We’re not done! What would modern remakes of the other classics look like?
Harlem Nights
Original stars: Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Della Reese
Modern cast:
- Eddie’s shoes are hard to fill, but Donald Glover, while not that likable to me, could carry the wit and suaveness like Eddie did – maybe.
- For Richard Pryor’s role, we’d try Jamie Foxx, one of the few who can hit both comedy and gravitas – or maybe we just have Eddie play the Richard Pryor role.
- And Niecy Nash as Della Reese? I can see it.
School Daze
Original stars: Laurence Fishburne, Giancarlo Esposito, Tisha Campbell
Modern cast:
- Caleb McLaughlin (from Stranger Things) could give us a young, idealistic Dap.
- Trevor Jackson for the smooth and shady Julian.
- And Chloe Bailey would be pretty great in the role of Jane Toussaint.
Lean on Me
Original star: Morgan Freeman
Modern lead: Sterling K. Brown would bring layered authority and intensity to the iconic Joe Clark role. Meh – I dunno…
Set It Off
Original stars: Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Kimberly Elise
Modern cast:
- Zendaya as Stony
- Megan Thee Stallion as Cleo
- Ryan Destiny as Frankie
- Dominique Fishback as T.T.
Love Jones
Original stars: Larenz Tate, Nia Long
Modern cast:
- Damson Idris as Darius, the poetic smooth-talker
- Jodie Turner-Smith as Nina, with elegance and edge
New Jack City
Original stars: Wesley Snipes, Ice-T
Modern cast:
- John David Washington as Nino Brown
- LaKeith Stanfield as Scotty
- Tyler James Williams as Pookie (a little nod to the narrator in Everybody Hates Chris)
The truth is, these films are iconic because they captured something timeless. Hopefully, if done right, these remakes could eclipse the original… as if. Check out our full episode below.
So, what’s your pick? Should we leave them alone… or bring them back with a new generation of talent? Let us know here – https://www.tiktok.com/@chatandbother/video/7510714545367764270
