Quentin Tarantino cemented himself as one of the most exciting filmmakers of his generation with Pulp Fiction. The energetic and wild crime film told various stories of hitmen, prizefighters, and petty thieves that intertwine in some entertaining and shocking ways.
While the movie pops largely due to Tarantino's stylish directing and clever dialogue, the characters are why people keep rewatching it after all these years. They are complex, funny, and oddly charming people who feel totally unique. While the original cast is pitch-perfect, it's fun to imagine who might play these colorful characters if the film were made today.
Pumpkin - Alfie Allen
Pulp Fiction starts in a simple café where two young lovers are talking about their career as thieves. The male half of the couple is known as Pumpkin, played by Tim Roth. He is an Englishman with the arrogance of youth which disappears later in the film when he meets his match.
In Game of Thrones, Alfie Allen perfected the role of Theon Greyjoy, an arrogant young man who is put in his place more than once. Allen could be a lot of fun in the role of the cocky young criminal who learns a lesson about who he rips off.
Honey Bunny - Imogen Poots
The female half of the diner couple is Honey Bunny. She is a seemingly sweet and even sympathetic young woman. However, when the duo snaps into robbery action, she shows that she can play a maniac as well as anyone else.
Imogen Poots has been establishing her versatility with a number of very different roles. She is often quite charming, but her standout performance in Green Room shows that she can play the unhinged roles very effectively.
Lance - Topher Grace
Part of the fun of this film is how Tarantino is willing to make these criminal characters feel almost ordinary and mundane. For example, Lance is a drug dealer, but he is seen mostly wearing a bathrobe and eating cereal. This makes it funnier when he is later thrust into a very stressful situation.
Ever since leaving the sitcom world, Topher Grace has been taking a lot of noteworthy supporting roles in films. He can really pull off the know-it-all character as well as the hilariously frantic person in the middle of the chaos.
Captain Koons - Michael Shannon
In one short scene, Christopher Walken appears as Captain Koons and delivers one of the strangest and funniest monologues in film history. The flashback finds Koons delivering a watch to young Butch that was owned by his father who died in the war.
There are few actors who can deliver in a single scene the way Walken does, but Michael Shannon is just the person to do it. He is a captivating actor who has that similar wonderfully odd way about him. He would no doubt knock the monologue out of the park.
Winston Wolfe - Christoph Waltz
After hitmen Vincent and Jules find themselves in a messy situation, help arrives in the form of Winston Wolfe. Winston is a criminal fixer who operates with total level-headedness and composure in even the most intense situations. He commands a room without breaking a sweat.
It makes sense that another Tarantino favorite would be well-suited for this role. Christoph Waltz has shown in his collaborations with Tarantino that he excels at strolling into a scene with a calm demeanor while madness unfolds around him.
Marcellus Wallace - Winston Duke
The crime boss at the center of many of the film's storylines is a man named Marcellus Wallace, played by Ving Rhames. He is a strong and intimidating figure who is put through a lot in the film yet still manages to come off as a dangerous man.
Winston Duke is an up-and-coming talent destined to be a big star someday. His role as M'Baku in Black Panther is exactly the kind of intimidating yet complex badass that would be perfect for this role.
Butch Coolidge - Channing Tatum
Butch Coolidge is a boxer who accepts payment from Marcellus Wallace to take a dive in his next fight. Knowing the odds will be against him, Butch bets on himself and wins the fight, making himself a target for Wallace and his goons.
Bruce Willis was an action star when he took on this role and it feels like Channing Tatum has the same action chops that would fit the part well. Tatum is also funny and charming, which would work well for his scenes with his lover, Fabienne.
Mia Wallace - Emma Stone
Uma Thurman broke out as a star with her captivating role as Mia Wallace. Mia is the wife of Marcellus Wallace who is taken out to dinner by her husband's employee, Vincent Vega, when Marcellus is out of town. She is a seductive, funny, and somewhat goofy girl who is hard not to be captivated by.
Emma Stone is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood now and is such a compelling presence on screen. She has all those qualities that make Mia an engrossing character. It wouldn't be hard to imagine falling for her like Vincent does and it would be a treat to see Stone take a darker role.
Jules Winnfield - Lakeith Stanfield
While there are so many great performances in Pulp Fiction, Samuel L. Jackson is incredible as Jules Winnfield. From the moment he is introduced, Jules is so captivating. From his personal views to his effortless coolness, he is someone you want to follow forever. And his switch to a more peaceful life is a great twist.
While Jackson's shoes are very big to fill, Lakeith Stanfield seems like an actor who is up to the challenge. He is so alluring in projects like Uncut Gems and Atlanta while also coming off as incredibly cool.
Vincent Vega - Adam Driver
John Travolta got a huge comeback role as Vincent Vega, who is pretty much lead of the film. Vincent is a hitman working for Marcellus Wallace, but the audience gets to know him a lot more over the course of the stories. We see him having funny conversations, being a killer, and finding himself in serious trouble.
Adam Driver is not someone who is in need of a comeback, but he would be so much fun in the role. He can play the menacing villain, the charming friend, and the man who is in over his head. It would be a very entertaining role to see him in.