Ideal Remakes #3: F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Submitted by DollhouseCouture 

• No actor over 31 (give or take a year)
• No actor too big for TV

So, this was the most difficult one yet. I tried to keep all the characters under the age of the oldest actor when Friends originally started, which is 31, but it got ridiculously hard, so there’s one 32 year old in there. I’m not entirely happy with it, but I still think I did pretty well. If you’ve got anything you want to see remade or recast, drop me a line!

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CAST
Rachel Greene - Beth Behrs

Currently one of the stars of 2 Broke Girls, I think Beth Behrs brings a lot of what Rachel was in the early seasons of Friends to that very role. Air-headed, new to the real world, very pretty, all of these make for a darn good Rachel. Just reach for the hair-dye, and voila! Instant Rachel.

Monica Geller - Alison Brie

With Community possibly going off the air, I’ll take any chance to keep Alison Brie on it. Brie’s character in Community is often a mini-Monica, what with the uptightness, prone to fits of screaming, and almost OCD like attention to schedule. I have no doubt that Alison could bring all of this to Monica, without bringing the complete over-the-topness that is Annie Edison.

Phoebe Buffay - Heather Morris
 
One of the ones I’m not too happy about, but considering the rules I’d set myself, I think I did okay. Morris’ character in Glee showcases a lot of the weirdness that Phoebe has, and if Heather could bring a bit more energy (read: gallons more energy), I think she’d make a pretty good Phoebe (and Ursula, of course.)

Chandler Bing - John Krasinski
 
Ah, my rule-breaker. John Krasinski is 32, but it’s only one year, so I let it slide. In the Office, Jim Halpert is dry and witty, which in my mind, is everything one needs for Chandler Bing. There is the worry that he could be a little too cool for Chandler, but I’m sure he could dial that back. 

Joey Tribbiani - Max Greenfield

Currently the best thing about New Girl, Max Greenfield’s Schmidt is everything that Joey ever was. Dumb as a bag of hammers? Check. Good with food? Check. Able to switch from blissful ignorance to shouting at the top of his lungs in a second flat? Check. 

Ross Gellar - Zachary Levi

Might be a little too handsome for Ross, but is the perfect straight-man, which is what Ross was to Friends in the early days. I’m not entirely happy with this choice, as I originally had Levi down for Chandler, and then completely struggled to find anyone for Ross. I feel Levi is currently one of the best actors on TV though, comedically at least, and could certainly bring a lot to Ross.