Just read a rumor at the AV Club that Keanu Reeves is going to play Klaatu in a remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still. Not the worst choice they could possibly make, but not a particularly good choice either. Klaatu is supposed to be, oh, what's the word. Intelligent? Cerebral even. I don't think I've ever seen Keanu play cerebral. (Wooden doesn't count.)
Georg and I tried to think of a good actor to play Klaatu and didn't have much luck. Mainly because it's late and the brains, they hurt. David Strathairn was the only name we came up with. Johnny Depp could do it, if he hadn't played so many over-the-top weirdos. As it is I'd spend the whole movie waiting for him to bust out the funny walk and gestures.
I'm not sure if I'd see a Day the Earth Stood Still remake. I'm not offended by the idea of it or anything. It's just that a new version of that movie wouldn't really improve my life in any way that I wouldn't get from just watching the original again. Same reason I haven't yet seen the remake of Solaris. Although I might break down and rent that one eventually.
I tried kicking some names around for Klaatu, but nobody was kicking back so I gave up.
Happy birthday!