It was always going to be a tough sell. Remaking a 1981 classic that basically defined Dudley Moore's career is like trying to catch lightning in a bottle twice, only the second bottle is made of plastic and costs $40 million more. When people look back at the Arthur movie 2011 cast, they usually see a list of names that, on paper, should have crushed it. You had Russell Brand at the height of his "charming chaotic" phase, the legendary Helen Mirren stepping into a role originally played by a man, and Greta Gerwig before she became the indie-darling-turned-blockbuster-director we know today.
But movies aren't math. You can't just add a bunch of talent together and guarantee a hit.
The 2011 reboot of Arthur is a fascinating case study in how casting choices can both honor and accidentally sabotage a legacy. It’s a weirdly polarizing film. Some people found Brand's manic energy a perfect fit for the titular billionaire drunk, while others felt the whole thing was just too polished for a story about a guy who spends his life in a bathtub full of martinis. Honestly, the real magic—or the real tragedy, depending on who you ask—lies in the specific chemistry of the people on screen.
The Massive Challenge of Replacing Dudley Moore
Russell Brand took on the role of Arthur Bach knowing full well that he was stepping into some very tiny, very famous shoes. In the original, Moore played Arthur with a sort of vulnerable, high-pitched giggle that made you want to hug him even when he was being a total mess. Brand, however, went a different route. His Arthur is more of a hyperactive man-child. It's less "sad drunk" and more "eccentric billionaire who never heard the word no."
Critics like Roger Ebert noted at the time that Brand's version of the character felt more like a performance than a person. It’s a valid point. While Brand is undeniably funny, his version of Arthur Bach is so loud and so relentless that it’s hard to find the heart underneath the designer suits and the Magnetic Fields references. Still, you've got to give him credit for his physical comedy. He threw himself into the role—literally—and his chemistry with the rest of the Arthur movie 2011 cast is what keeps the movie afloat when the script starts to lag.
Helen Mirren as the New Hobson
If there is one absolute triumph in this film, it is Helen Mirren. In the 1981 original, John Gielgud won an Oscar for playing Hobson, Arthur's acerbic butler. For the remake, the producers decided to flip the script and make Hobson a nanny.
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It was a stroke of genius.
Mirren plays Lillian Hobson with a dry, razor-sharp wit that cuts right through Brand's noise. Their relationship is the emotional spine of the movie. While the plot is ostensibly about Arthur choosing between an arranged marriage and true love, the real love story is between a neglected boy and the woman who raised him. Mirren brings a gravitas to the film that it honestly didn't deserve. When she’s on screen, the movie feels grounded. When she isn't, it starts to drift back into being a series of expensive gags involving a Batmobile.
The Supporting Players: Jennifer Garner and Greta Gerwig
The two women competing for Arthur’s affection represent two very different worlds.
- Jennifer Garner as Susan Johnson: Garner plays the "villain" role with surprising relish. Susan is a high-powered, terrifyingly ambitious businesswoman who wants to marry Arthur solely for the merger of their family fortunes. It’s a departure from Garner’s usual "girl next door" persona. She’s cold, calculated, and basically treats Arthur like a piece of furniture she needs to reupholster.
- Greta Gerwig as Naomi Guy: This was one of Gerwig's first big "mainstream" roles. As Naomi, an unlicensed tour guide in Grand Central Station, she represents the "real" world that Arthur desperately wants to join. Gerwig is charmingly awkward here. You can see the seeds of the quirky, intellectual characters she would later become famous for.
The contrast between Garner’s rigidity and Gerwig’s whimsy is supposed to make Arthur’s choice easy, but the script struggles to make us believe that Arthur actually cares about anything other than his next drink. It’s a weird dynamic. You have these two incredibly capable actresses basically babysitting a billionaire.
Why the Chemistry Felt Different This Time
The 2011 version tried to modernize the concept of a "lovable drunk," but by 2011, the cultural appetite for that kind of character had shifted. We were in a different era of comedy. The Arthur movie 2011 cast had to navigate a world where being a billionaire alcoholic wasn't necessarily seen as a cute quirk.
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Nick Nolte shows up as Susan’s father, Burt Johnson, and he provides a much-needed sense of menace. He’s the guy who wants to crush Arthur if he doesn't follow through with the wedding. Nolte is terrifying. He looks like he’s made of leather and gravel, and his presence adds a layer of stakes that the movie desperately needs. Then you have Luis Guzmán as Bitterman, Arthur's chauffeur. Guzmán is a comedy veteran, and his deadpan delivery provides a nice counterpoint to Brand’s exuberance.
But even with all these pieces, the puzzle doesn't quite fit.
The Production Context and Critical Reception
Directed by Jason Winer (who did great work on Modern Family), the film had a polished, bright look that screamed "studio comedy." It wasn't cheap, either. With a budget of around $40 million, it needed to be a hit. It wasn't. It grossed about $45 million worldwide, which is basically a flop when you factor in marketing costs.
Critics were mostly unkind. They pointed out that while the Arthur movie 2011 cast was top-tier, the movie lacked the soul of the original. It felt like a cover song that hit all the right notes but missed the rhythm. However, if you watch it today, detached from the hype and the comparisons to Dudley Moore, it’s a perfectly serviceable rainy-day movie. It’s flashy, it’s got some great one-liners, and Helen Mirren is, as always, worth the price of admission.
Surprising Details You Might Have Missed
- The Batmobile: The 1989 Batmobile used in the film was an actual prop, not a CGI creation. Brand reportedly loved driving it, though it was apparently a nightmare to handle.
- The Costume Design: If you look closely at Arthur's outfits, they are absurdly expensive. They were designed to look like the clothes of someone who has literally never had to worry about a dry-cleaning bill.
- The Alcoholism Subplot: Unlike the original, the 2011 version actually attempts to deal with Arthur’s drinking as a problem to be solved. He ends up going to AA meetings, which changes the tone of the final act significantly.
Breaking Down the Legacy of the 2011 Cast
When we look at the Arthur movie 2011 cast now, it's a "who's who" of people who went on to do much bigger things.
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- Russell Brand moved more into activism and podcasting, largely stepping away from lead roles in Hollywood comedies.
- Greta Gerwig became a powerhouse director, nominated for Oscars for Lady Bird and Little Women, and eventually helming the Barbie phenomenon.
- Helen Mirren continued her reign as the queen of basically everything, moving between prestige dramas and Fast & Furious movies.
- Jennifer Garner leaned back into her status as a beloved public figure and savvy entrepreneur.
The movie serves as a time capsule. It captures a specific moment in the early 2010s when Hollywood was trying to figure out how to update the 80s "bad boy" archetype for a more sensitive audience. It didn't quite work, but the effort was there.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a fan of any of these actors, the 2011 Arthur is still worth a watch for the performances alone. Don’t go into it expecting a masterpiece. Go into it expecting a loud, colorful, slightly messy comedy with a heart of gold.
To get the most out of the experience:
- Watch the 1981 original first. It gives you the context you need to appreciate the changes made to the Hobson character.
- Pay attention to the background characters. There are some great cameos and small roles that often get overlooked in favor of the leads.
- Check out Greta Gerwig’s early work. If you enjoy her in this, look for her "mumblecore" roots in films like Greenberg or Frances Ha to see how far she’s come.
Ultimately, the Arthur movie 2011 cast did the best they could with a difficult premise. They brought humor, warmth, and a lot of energy to a story that was perhaps better left in the past. But hey, any movie that puts Helen Mirren in a nanny outfit and lets her verbally dismantle Russell Brand can't be all bad.