Naming the greatest Martin Scorsese movie is tough, because he’s responsible for so many acclaimed films, from Raging Bull to Goodfellas. One of the strongest contenders for the title is his gritty neo-noir masterpiece Taxi Driver, following an insomniac Vietnam veteran who takes the law into his own hands on the crime-ridden streets of New York.
In 1976, Taxi Driver starred such iconic actors as Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, and Harvey Keitel. But if Paul Schrader’s script wasn’t produced until the ‘90s, these actors might have been cast in their place.
Brad Pitt As Sport
One of the most challenging roles in Taxi Driver is Iris’ smooth-talking pimp, Sport. Sport is oddly charming, despite the terrible things he does, because Harvey Keitel’s performance is endearingly laidback.
In the ‘90s, this role could’ve been played by Brad Pitt. Pitt’s star was on the rise following his scene-stealing supporting turn as a duplicitous hitchhiker in Thelma & Louise. He could’ve brought the same chilled-out charms to Sport that he brought to Tyler Durden in Fight Club and Floyd the pothead in True Romance.
Sharon Stone As Betsy
Betsy is the love interest in Taxi Driver, but she and Travis don’t have a typical Hollywood romance, to say the least. He cluelessly takes her to an adult movie theater on their first date, then goes to her office to yell at her when she doesn’t jump at the opportunity to go on a second one.
Cybill Shepherd played the part in the original movie, but if Taxi Driver had been made in the ‘90s, Betsy could’ve been played by Sharon Stone. The character represents Travis’ inability to relate to women. Stone was one of the most prominent sex symbols of the ‘90s, thanks to provocative movies like Basic Instinct and Sliver, so she could’ve embodied that role perfectly.
Denzel Washington As Senator Palantine
Travis only becomes interested in Senator Palantine because his romantic interest works for his campaign, but he ends up trying to assassinate him after a fateful meeting in the back of his taxi. As an all-American presidential hopeful, Palantine needed to be played by an actor who can project confidence and charisma.
In the original movie, the part was played by Leonard Harris, but in the 1990s, fresh off hits like Crimson Tide and Courage Under Fire, Denzel Washington might have been cast. In Spike Lee’s acclaimed Malcolm X biopic, Washington proved his ability to play a strong political leader.
Jerry Seinfeld As Tom
Betsy’s level-headed co-worker Tom was originally played by Albert Brooks, a comedy icon who brought understated line deliveries to all of his character’s uncomfortable interactions with Travis.
This role needs an actor with the same dry comic talents as Brooks, especially for the scene in which he complains over the phone about the misprinted campaign buttons. Jerry Seinfeld, who was one of the biggest stars in the world at the time thanks to his self-titled sitcom, could’ve been perfect for this part.
Lindsay Lohan As Iris
As a 12-year-old prostitute who represents all the wrong that Travis sees in New York, Iris is both crucial to the story and a very tricky role to cast. A young Jodie Foster nailed it in the 1976 original, but in the ‘90s, the part could’ve gone to Lindsay Lohan.
Lohan made her film debut at age 11 in the dual roles of twins in the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap. It would’ve hammered home the shock factor of a child prostitute if she was played by a Disney star. Of course, the Mouse House might have vetoed the casting to preserve its flagship star’s wholesome image.
Chris Rock As Easy Andy
Easy Andy, the gun dealer who sells Travis the firearms he uses on his vigilante crusade, was originally played by Steven Prince. Prince is not primarily an actor; he’s a former road manager for Neil Diamond and a close friend of Scorsese’s, who profiled him in a documentary called American Boy.
Andy’s slick sales pitch needed an actor with a lot of confidence and a penchant for monologues. In the ‘90s, a cameoing Chris Rock could’ve played the part at the height of his HBO fame.
Will Smith As Wizard
Travis’ fellow cabbie Wizard was played by Everybody Loves Raymond’s Peter Boyle in the 1976 original. Wizard’s friendly, affable characterization is a stark contrast to Travis as he easily ingratiates himself into social situations, whereas Travis is deeply disturbed and overwhelmed by isolation.
The effortless, irresistible charisma of Will Smith would’ve offered a sharp counterpoint to Travis’ awkwardness in a ‘90s version of Taxi Driver. In the ‘90s, Smith went from a beloved rapper to a sitcom icon to a legendary movie star.
Edward Norton As Travis Bickle
Robert De Niro’s turn as Travis Bickle is one of the finest performances of his storied career. He sunk his teeth into the darkness in Travis’ soul, but also made him universally relatable as a definitive portrait of isolation and loneliness.
If the movie had been made in the ‘90s, Travis could’ve been played by Edward Norton instead. From Primal Fear to American History X, Norton spent the whole decade playing deeply disturbed characters. The lonely insomniac that made Norton an icon in Fight Club is essentially Travis Bickle with a different outlet for his societal rage.
