Playing the Same Role, Part 3 Trivia Quiz

Answer: the President of the United States

Kevin Kline showed his finely tuned sense of comedic timing in "Dave" (1993), a presidential look-alike asked to pretend for a few days while the real president lay in a coma. Harrison Ford stood firm on his promise of zero tolerance for terrorism in "Air Force One" (1997) when his plane was hijacked, with him and his family onboard. Bill Pullman got to play the part during an alien invasion in "Independence Day" (1996), partaking in the final attack to drive the aliens away. Jack Lemmon and James Garner played two former U.S. presidents who found themselves allied in trying to find out who was trying to frame them to take the fall for some scandal in "My Fellow Americans" (1996).

Answer: Hannibal Lecter

Brian Cox first gave us the role of Hannibal Lecktor in "Manhunter" (1986). Please note that the spelling of Lecktor is how it appeared in the first movie. Sir Anthony Hopkins took home an Oscar for his first portrayal of the deliciously evil Dr. Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991), and later portrayed him in the sequel "Hannibal" (2001), and the prequel "Red Dragon" (2002).
John Wayne Gacy and The Boston Strangler were real life serial killers, who have had movies made about them. Ed Gein was the killer who was the inspiration for the fictional Lecter.

Answer: Peter Pan

Disney's animated version of "Peter Pan" was released in 1953, with Bobby Driscoll providing the voice of the title role. Jeremy Sumpter tackled the same role in the same named movie in 2003. Robin Williams was brilliant as the grown up Pan, who, not remembering his past, had to rediscover who he once was in order to save his children, in "Hook" (1991).

Answer: Jack Ryan

Baldwin played a young Jack Ryan, trying to second guess the meaning behind the actions of a Soviet submarine captain, in "The Hunt for Red October" (1990). When Harrison Ford stepped into the role in "Patriot Games" (1992), the terrorists had a personal score to settle with him, while trying to kidnap a member of the British royalty.

He reprised the role in "Clear and Present Danger" (1994), when he had to take on a very dangerous Colombian drug ring, while coping with the illness and imminent death of his mentor. Ben Affleck's version of Jack Ryan in "Sum of All Fears" tracked down a Russian plan to start a war by exploding a nuclear bomb at a football game.

He was able to save the U.S. president from dying in the explosion, but not able to prevent the explosion itself.

Answer: Alfred

Michael Gough played the role of Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's butler and friend in "Batman" (1989), "Batman Returns" (1982), "Batman Forever" (1995) and "Batman and Robin" (1997). His reign of duty included looking after Caped Crusaders played by Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney. "Batman Begins" (2005) took us back to the beginning again, offering us Christian Bale as the fledgling crime fighter, who was looked after by a new Alfred, played by Michael Caine.

Answer: Howard Hughes

Jason Robards' turn as Hughes was in the 1980 film "Melvin and Howard", wherein the down-on-his-luck Melvin picked up Hughes wandering around in the desert after a motorcycle accident. Leonardo DiCaprio played Hughes in "The Aviator" (2004), a film which followed the life of Hughes from his glory days, to his reclusive years.
DiCaprio received a well deserved Oscar nomination for the role, which is something I never thought I'd hear myself say!

Answer: Simba

Jonathan Taylor Thomas gave Simba voice in his early years, in Disney's "The Lion King" (1994), taking us through Simba's carefree childhood, the horrific killing of his father (for which he was made to feel responsible) and his early escape with new friends Timon and Pumbaa. Matthew Broderick took on the role when Simba reached his adulthood, with all the obligations that incurred. Broderick also voiced the role in the direct to video movie, "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride" (1998).

Answer: Janet

Susan Sarandon played Janet Weiss in the hugely successful cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975). Janet and Brad's encounter with the wildly campy Dr. Frank-N-Furter and his extra-terrestrial entourage is well worth the watch. The attempt to follow up the film with 1981's "Shock Treatment" was not nearly as successful, proving that Sarandon was wise to hand the role over to Jessica Harper, as the now married Janet Majors.

Answer: Bond

Sean Connery has played Bond in seven films, including the disputed "Never Say Never Again" (1983) which is not necessarily accepted as a true "Bond" film by some purists. George Lazenby was the least prolific Bond, with only one film, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969), to his credit. Roger Moore donned the persona for seven films, while Timothy Dalton only managed it twice. Pierce Brosnan lent his expertise to four films.

At the time of writing (January 2007) Daniel Craig has only recently joined the fold with 2006's "Casino Royale", turning in a very creditable performance as a new agent, just earning his 00 qualification.

Answer: Mowgli

Disney's animated "The Jungle Book" (1967) was a fun-filled musical, with just enough tension and danger to keep its younger audiences on the edges of their seats, without unduly frightening them! The 1994 live-action version was more tension filled, and more faithful to Kipling's story.