You know that feeling when you watch a movie and it just feels right? Like, you can't imagine anyone else wearing that pilot’s uniform or chasing a teenager across the globe with a look of pure, exhausted frustration? That’s exactly what happened with the cast for Catch Me If You Can. It’s one of those rare Steven Spielberg gems where every single person on screen—from the leads to the two-minute cameos—is perfectly locked in.
Honestly, though, the movie we got in 2002 was almost a totally different beast. If you’d looked at the call sheet a year earlier, the names would have looked wild.
The Frank Abagnale Jr. We Know (and the One We Almost Got)
Leonardo DiCaprio was 28 when he played Frank Abagnale Jr., which is kind of hilarious when you remember he’s supposed to be 16 at the start. But it works. Leo has that "perpetual kid" energy that makes you believe he can charm his way into a Pan Am cockpit.
He wasn't always the only choice, though. Before Spielberg took the reins, this project bounced around like a hot potato. At one point, David Fincher was going to direct it. Then Gore Verbinski. When Verbinski was in the chair, he actually had a very different vision for the vibe of the film.
But once Leo was in, he stayed. He even spent time with the real Frank Abagnale Jr. to get the mannerisms down. The real Frank actually said later that he loved the casting because, basically, no matter how old he gets, people will always think he looks like 2002 Leonardo DiCaprio. Not a bad legacy to have.
Why Tom Hanks as Carl Hanratty Was a Risk
It’s easy to forget now, but back then, Tom Hanks was "America’s Dad." He was the hero of Saving Private Ryan and the guy you rooted for in Cast Away. Putting him in a suit as Carl Hanratty—a grumpy, stiff, socially awkward FBI agent who spends his Christmas Eve alone at a desk—was a bit of a pivot.
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The crazy part? Tom Hanks basically cast himself.
He read the script, loved the character of the "pencil pusher," and told Spielberg he wanted in. Spielberg was actually hesitant because the role is kind of a thankless one compared to the flashy con man. But Hanks leaned into the anonymity. He didn't try to out-act Leo. He just played a guy who was tired, honest, and secretly a little lonely. That dynamic between them is the heart of the whole thing. It’s not just a chase; it’s a weird, surrogate father-son relationship built on collect calls.
The Supporting Cast for Catch Me If You Can: Where the Magic Is
If the movie is a house, the supporting cast is the foundation that keeps it from falling over.
Christopher Walken as Frank Abagnale Sr.
You cannot talk about this movie without talking about Christopher Walken. He won a BAFTA and got an Oscar nod for this, and for good reason. He plays Frank’s father not as a villain, but as a tragic, broken dreamer.
There’s that scene in the fancy restaurant where he’s trying to keep up appearances while his life is falling apart. Spielberg actually said he was awestruck by Walken’s improvisation during filming. Walken brought this "mischievous twinkle" to the role that explains exactly why Frank Jr. turned out the way he did. Like father, like son, right?
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The "Before They Were Famous" Stars
Looking back at the cast for Catch Me If You Can now is like looking at a time capsule of future A-listers.
- Amy Adams: She played Brenda Strong, the nurse with the braces. This was her big breakout. Spielberg apparently "loved" her audition tape because she felt "fresh and honest."
- Jennifer Garner: She has a tiny, one-scene role as a high-end call girl. This was right as Alias was making her a household name.
- Elizabeth Banks and Ellen Pompeo: They both show up in blink-and-you’ll-miss-it roles as bank tellers or flight attendants.
What Really Happened with the Casting Scrambles
Before the 2002 version solidified, the lineup was a revolving door. James Gandolfini—yes, Tony Soprano himself—was originally set to play Carl Hanratty. Can you imagine that? It would have been a much more aggressive, intimidating version of the character. He had to drop out because of his schedule with The Sopranos.
Ed Harris was also attached to play the father at one point, and Chloë Sevigny was lined up to play Brenda. When Verbinski left the project because Leo was busy filming Gangs of New York, the whole thing almost fell apart.
Spielberg stepped in to direct because he didn't want to lose the script. He basically cleared his schedule, dropping projects like Big Fish and Memoirs of a Geisha to make this happen.
The Real Frank's Hidden Cameo
If you look closely during the scene where Frank is finally arrested in France, there’s a French police officer who actually grabs Leo. That’s the real Frank Abagnale Jr.
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He didn't really want to do it, but the crew convinced him. It’s a meta moment—the real man helping to arrest the actor playing his younger self.
Why the Casting Still Matters
The reason this movie holds up isn't just the flashy suits or the 60s soundtrack. It’s because the actors understood the stakes. It’s a movie about a kid who just wanted his family back together. Nathalie Baye, who played Paula (the mother), was specifically chosen by Spielberg because he wanted a French actress to keep the history accurate. Her performance adds that cold, distant layer that makes Frank’s flight from reality make sense.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Rewatch
- Watch the eyes: In the scenes with Walken and DiCaprio, notice how much they mirror each other's posture. It's a masterclass in "show, don't tell."
- Spot the cameos: Keep an eye out for James Brolin as the man who eventually marries Frank's mother. The tension in those scenes is thick.
- The Hanratty transformation: Look at how Tom Hanks uses his Boston accent and stiff movements to disappear. It’s the antithesis of his usual charm.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the production, checking out the DVD behind-the-scenes features or the 2003 "The Making of" documentaries gives a lot of credit to casting director Debra Zane. She’s the one who navigated the mess of scheduling conflicts to put these specific people in the same room.
Next time you stream it, pay attention to the bank teller scenes. You'll see faces that now headline their own Marvel movies or TV dramas, all starting out in Spielberg’s 1960s playground.