Politics is usually pretty dry, but the story of Spiro Agnew is basically a Scorsese movie waiting to happen. If you haven't heard of Bag Man, it started as a massive hit podcast by Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz. It dug into the wild, almost forgotten story of Richard Nixon’s Vice President, a guy who was literally taking envelopes of cash in the White House while the FBI was closing in. Now that it’s being adapted into a feature film directed by Ben Stiller, everyone wants to know who will make up the Bag Man cast and how they’ll pull off this weird mix of 1970s grit and political absurdity.
It’s a bizarre tale. Truly.
Imagine a sitting VP getting investigated for bribery, extortion, and tax fraud—all while his boss, Nixon, is drowning in the Watergate scandal. It’s the kind of historical deep-cut that requires a specific type of actor. You need people who can play "bureaucrat" but also "corrupt bag man."
The Search for the Perfect Spiro Agnew
When you talk about the Bag Man cast, the biggest question mark is the lead. Spiro Agnew wasn't just a villain; he was a loudmouth. He was the guy who called the media "nattering nabobs of negativism." He was Nixon’s attack dog.
For a long time, rumors have swirled about who could fill those shoes. You need someone who can carry that heavy, 1970s "tough guy from Baltimore" energy but also show the desperation of a man who knows the handcuffs are coming. While the official production has kept its cards close to the vest during development, the industry buzz has pointed toward actors who can balance comedy and absolute dread.
Ben Stiller, who is directing, has a history of casting people who find the humanity in losers or morally compromised men. Think about Escape at Dannemora or Severance. He doesn't go for the obvious choice. Honestly, that’s why this adaptation is so anticipated.
Why the Casting Matters for Historical Accuracy
If the film follows the podcast’s roadmap, the story isn't just about Agnew. It’s about the three young federal prosecutors in Baltimore who stumbled onto the case. These guys were basically kids—Ron Liebman, Barney Skolnik, and Tim Baker.
They weren't looking for a constitutional crisis. They were just looking at local Maryland contractors and realized the money trail led straight to the Vice President’s desk.
- The Prosecutors: These roles need to feel like All the President's Men meet Superbad. They were out of their depth but refused to back down.
- The Fixers: You’ve got characters like I.H. "Bud" Hammerman, the guy who actually handled the cash.
- The Nixon Factor: Nixon has to be there, right? But he can't be a caricature. He needs to be the brooding shadow over the whole thing.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Bag Man Story
People think Agnew was just a footnote to Watergate. He wasn't. He was a separate, parallel disaster.
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The prosecutors were terrified that if Nixon was impeached and Agnew wasn't dealt with, a criminal would become President of the United States. That's the stakes. When we look at the Bag Man cast, we have to look for actors who can convey that specific 1973 panic. It wasn't just about a guy taking bribes; it was about the survival of the executive branch.
Kinda crazy, right?
The movie has to capture the atmosphere of the "Old Line State." Maryland politics in the 60s and 70s was a different beast. It was smoky backrooms and "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" deals.
The Tone Ben Stiller is Chasing
Ben Stiller isn't making a dry documentary. If you’ve seen his recent directorial work, you know he loves tension. He loves the way fluorescent lights make a room feel lonely.
The casting will likely reflect that. We aren't looking for A-list stars doing "Saturday Night Live" impressions. We’re looking for character actors who can disappear into the brown suits and sideburns of the era.
The Supporting Players: The Baltimore Connection
The heart of the story is actually in Baltimore, not D.C.
The investigators were working out of a cramped office, dealing with a U.S. Attorney, George Beall, who was under immense pressure from the Nixon administration to shut the whole thing down. Beall is a fascinating character. His brother was a Republican Senator. He was being told to bury the case to save his party, but he didn't.
That’s a meaty role. You need someone with a "moral compass but also very tired" vibe.
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Then there’s Elliot Richardson, the Attorney General. He’s the guy who eventually had to navigate the "Saturday Night Massacre." He was the adult in the room. Richardson is a role for a heavyweight—someone who can command a scene just by sitting still.
Real Details from the Investigation
To understand why the Bag Man cast needs to be so versatile, look at how the actual bribes happened.
Agnew was taking cash inside the White House complex. He’d meet with contractors, and they’d hand over envelopes. It’s so brazen it feels fake. But it’s 100% real. The actors playing these contractors need to look like regular businessmen who just happened to be carrying thousands of dollars in their pockets.
Why We’re Still Waiting for the Final List
Developing a period piece like this is hard. You have to get the look right, but more importantly, you have to get the rhythm of the dialogue right. Maddow’s podcast was so successful because it felt like a thriller. The movie has to match that pace.
Scriptwriting for a project like this involves a lot of legal vetting. You’re dealing with real people, some of whom are still around or have very active estates.
But honestly? The delay usually means they’re making sure the ensemble is perfect. A movie like Bag Man lives or dies on its ensemble. It’s a "talky" movie. It’s people in rooms making decisions that change history. If the chemistry between the three young prosecutors isn't there, the movie fails.
The Impact of Rachel Maddow’s Involvement
Since Maddow is an executive producer, she’s been heavily involved in ensuring the story stays true to the research she and Yarvitz did. She’s obsessed with the details—the specific way the subpoenas were served, the tension of the secret meetings.
This means the cast won't just be "playing roles." They’ll be recreating a very specific, documented timeline.
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Key Takeaways for Following the Production
If you’re tracking the progress of this film, there are a few things to keep an eye on beyond just the names of the actors.
- Production Design: Watch for news about filming locations in Baltimore. The city has changed a lot, so finding those 1970s vibes is a challenge.
- The Script: Focus on how they handle the "plea deal." The climax of the story isn't a shootout; it's a legal negotiation in a hotel room.
- Release Window: These kinds of "prestige" political thrillers usually aim for late-year releases to catch award season momentum.
The story of Spiro Agnew is a reminder that history repeats itself in the weirdest ways. It’s a story about what happens when the people in charge think the rules don't apply to them.
What to Do Next
If you want to get ahead of the movie, listen to the original Bag Man podcast. It’s the best way to understand the characters before you see them on screen. It gives you a sense of the real voices of the prosecutors. You can also pick up the book version, which goes into even more detail about the evidence the FBI gathered.
Stay tuned to trade publications like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter for the formal announcement of the full the Bag Man cast. Once the table read happens, the names usually leak pretty fast. Look for actors who have that gritty, 70s character-actor energy—that’s who will likely be filling these roles.
Check out the history of the "Saturday Night Massacre" as well. It provides the necessary context for why the Agnew investigation was such a ticking time bomb for the Nixon White House. Understanding the pressure the Department of Justice was under makes the story ten times more intense.
The film is shaping up to be a masterclass in political tension. With Stiller at the helm and a story this wild, it’s easily one of the most interesting projects currently in the pipeline. Keep an eye on the casting of the "three kids from Baltimore"—they are the real heroes of this mess.
Wait for the official trailer to see how they handle the makeup and prosthetics for Agnew; that’s usually the first sign of whether a political biopic is going for realism or caricature.
Next Steps to Prepare for the Film:
- Listen to the 7-episode Bag Man podcast to familiarize yourself with the primary witnesses.
- Read the book Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House for the full factual breakdown.
- Monitor Focus Features’ official announcements for the finalized production schedule and casting updates.