Decades after its release, 12 Angry Men is still an incredibly compelling drama. The ensemble piece takes place in a juror room where twelve men debate the murder case they have preceded over. All but one of the men have decided the accused is guilty and he gradually makes his case to the others.
The small setting and the intense story make it a terrific project for a group of actors to bounce off each other. While it has been retold in different ways, it might be interesting to see the story done with an all-female cast of modern actors.
Juror 1: Sandra Oh
Juror 1 is the foreman of the group and is generally a pretty sensible man. He runs the conversation and sticks to the procedure, making a decent authority figure. Some of the others try to push back against his leadership, but Juror 1 manages to stand his ground.
Sandra Oh is an actor whose characters seem up to the task of taking charge without being a bully. She exudes intelligence and responsibility in her roles while also proving she doesn't back down easily.
Juror 2: Sarah Paulson
The quietest member of the juror group is Juror 2. He is a meek man who seems somewhat indecisive, which makes him a target for some of the pushier members of the group.
Sarah Paulson can certainly play those tougher and more assertive characters, but she is also very good at being reserved. She could really pull off that kind of character who keeps to themselves and has trouble standing up for themselves.
Juror 3: Frances McDormand
Juror 3 stands as the member of the group who is most passionately in favor of a guilty verdict. As soon as they get in the room, his mind is made up and he grows increasingly frustrated as the other men start to waver in their certainty. He is a hot-tempered man whose anger boils over at times.
Looking at Frances McDormand's filmography it's clear she has the range to play both good and bad characters. Her performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri shows how she can play someone filled with anger while keeping it grounded.
Juror 4: Jodie Foster
While some of the jurors let their emotions get in the way of their decisions, Juror 4 has a very practical approach to the whole thing. He is a man who is only interested in the facts of the case and, to him, the facts indicate the accused is guilty.
It is difficult to play an analytical character like this without them coming off as robotic. However, Jodie Foster has a particular talent for such roles as she is able to be the professional individual who remains level-headed while also acting like a human being.
Juror 5: Stephanie Beatriz
As the jurors discuss the case, some of the personalities clash. Juror 5 is one of the quieter members of the group for much of the movie, but he finds himself getting angry and confrontational as some of the prejudices in the group are exposed, which he takes personally.
Stephanie Beatriz's role as Rosa Diaz on Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a comedic one, but it also shows how she could pull off this role. Rosa is a reserved person who is known to speak her mind when she feels it's necessary and is especially vocal against injustice.
Juror 6: Tessa Thompson
Juror 6 is another member of the group who sits back for much of the discussion. He is willing to hear from both sides of the argument and doesn't seem to be too confrontational. However, when one of the older members is disrespected, Juror 6 sticks up for him and shows himself to be quite a tough guy.
Tessa Thompson is quickly becoming one of the most noteworthy actors in Hollywood and it would be great to see her in this role. She has that sweet and caring energy but can be tough and in-your-face when needed.
Juror 7: Awkwafina
Even a story as intense as this has room for a comic relief character and that comes in the form of Juror 7. He is a wise-cracking salesman who makes light of the whole situation and doesn't take any of it seriously. He is more concerned with getting to the Yankees game than seeing justice done.
Awkwafina is the perfect comedic actor who would also fit well in a story like this. Such a character could derail the entire movie, but Awkwafina is able to be that attention-grabbing personality without taking it too far.
Juror 8: Viola Davis
The hero of the story is Juror 8, the man who persuades the others to talk the case through. Though he is not convinced of the accused's innocence, he thinks it is their responsibility to look at all the facts before deciding the man's fate. Even when he is all alone, he maintains a cool and noble demeanor.
Filling Henry Fonda's shoes from the original is a tough task, but Viola Davis is up for it. Davis is one of the best actors working today and has that authoritative presence even when she isn't saying a word. She could definitely make a room full of people agree with her in the end.
Juror 9: Sissy Spacek
Juror 9 is the oldest member of the group but proves himself sharper than some of them. He has a keen eye for detail and brings up some elements of the case that the others overlooked while maintaining his soft-spoken nature.
Sissy Spacek is a legendary actor who carries that sense of intelligence and experience in all of her roles. She can play those types of characters that some people might underestimate yet who prove themselves to be more than meets the eye.
Juror 10: Melissa Leo
Juror 10 is another member of the group who is adamant about the guilty verdict right from the beginning and is annoyed when more jurors start having their doubts. As the discussion continues, Juror 10's reasonings start becoming clearer until he exposes himself as a hateful bigot and is disowned by the group.
Melissa Leo is a very talented actor who is very skilled at playing those morally ugly characters. She would be able to show the arrogance and narrow-mindedness of the character without becoming a cartoonish villain.
Juror 11: Isabelle Huppert
Juror 11 is a European member of the group who mostly keeps to himself. However, when he voices his own opinions, he demonstrates a lot of intelligence and shows respect for the legal process.
Isabelle Huppert is an incredibly talented French actor who displays that compelling presence without any words. She also has that strong quality that makes it seem like she would stand up for what is right.
Juror 12: Mindy Kaling
Another sort of comedic role in the story is Juror 12. He is an advertising man who is very talkative even when no one is interested in hearing what he has to say. He approaches the case like a business meeting and seems out of place in the moral discussion.
Another very funny actor who could bring some energy to the movie is Mindy Kaling. She has that sort of high-energy vibe that is charming but can also annoy the other characters. And her role as Kelly on The Office shows her skills of playing someone totally out of their element.