The Haunting of Hill House is a chilling horror series about a family struggling to live a normal life after growing up in a haunted home. The show is full of creepy ghosts and startling jump scares, as well as deep character development. It uses the unique story-telling device of jumping back and forth between timelines.
The show is incredibly popular today, but how different would it be if it was created in the 90s? The storytelling would be just as novel, although perhaps the special effects would be less impressive. Most importantly, however, is the cast. A strong group of actors is needed to pull off such a harrowing, yet emotional series.
Johnny Depp As Steven Crain
Steven is the first character the audience meets. He is the eldest of his siblings and often the cynic. He wrote a book based on their experiences in Hill House that made him a lot of money, but now most of his siblings resent him for exposing them. Steven eventually learns to forgive his father for past wrongdoings and makes amends with his almost ex-wife.
Johnny Depp would make a brilliant Steven. Depp made his debut in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), proving himself capable of acting in horror. Audiences had also seen him in Edward Scissorhands (1990) where he showcased his ability to convey thoughts and emotions through more than just words. Depp would definitely be able to portray the long journey Steven goes on to heal with his family.
Joan Cusack As Shirley Crain
Shirley is the second oldest Crain kid. As an adult, she runs a mortuary alongside her husband. When her sister Nell dies, Shirley prepares her body for the funeral and is forced to reckon with her concept of life and death.
Joan Cusack is a great fit for this role. Although many don't necessarily think of her as a dramatic actress, she does have the capability. Cusack starred as the villain in Addams Family Values (1993). While the film itself is a comedy, Cusack brought a certain kind of depth to the role and story that would also be needed to take on Shirley Crain.
Angelina Jolie As Theodora Crain
The next Crain is Theo, the middle child. One of the most important things about Theo is her inexplicable ability to feel someone's emotions when she touches them with her bare hands. This causes her much turmoil, so she learns to live without attachments and never goes anywhere without her satin gloves.
Angelina Jolie proved herself as a serious actor when she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Girl, Interrupted (1999). She proved herself capable of playing a serious role about human suffering which is exactly what is needed to play Theo Crain.
Keanu Reeves As Luke Crain
Luke is the youngest Crain sibling along with his twin sister Nell. As a child, Luke was haunted by a ghost that came into his room many nights. As an adult, Luke is trying to shake a drug habit when the ghost of his childhood returns. Luke and Nell have a touching bond, and so Nell's death only makes Luke's struggles even more painful.
Keanu Reeves is an adept action and horror movie star. He was incredibly popular in films like Speed (1994) and The Devil's Advocate (1997). Reeves has already proved his ability to act in the horror genre, so it would only make sense for him to star as the rugged Luke Crain.
Winona Ryder As Nell Crain
Nell Crain is one of the most pivotal characters in The Haunting of Hill House. As a child, Nell was haunted by the "Bent-Neck Lady" ghost. When the show begins, Nell has begun seeing the ghost again which quickly leads to her untimely death.
Winona Ryder's work in films like Heathers (1989) and Little Women (1994) showcases her versatility. She is also well known for her work with Tim Burton which then easily lends her to the horror drama. The tragic character of Nell Crain would be a perfect fit for Winona Ryder.
Nicole Kidman As Olivia Crain
Olivia Crain is the mother of the Crain children who died when the children were young and living at Hill House. The show slowly reveals how living in Hill House made Olivia sick and delirious. In one of the show's saddest moments, Olivia attempts to poison Luke and Nell. However, the, now grown, kids don't remember much of this and only miss their loving mother.
Nicole Kidman could perfectly embody the role of a mother in a horror. She has proved herself a worthy horror actor in the Australian film Dead Calm (1989). Her versatility in roles from Western dramas to superhero action films shows she could easily take on the challenge of Olivia Crain.
Kevin Bacon As Young Hugh Crain
Hugh Crain is prominent throughout the scenes as both his younger and older self. Young Hugh Crain is put in the hard position of trying to help his ailing wife while also making sure his children do not worry for their mother. When Olivia becomes too sick to save, Hugh has to make the hard call to the children away from her.
Kevin Bacon is known for playing the fun-loving Ren in Footloose (1984). However, Bacon would then go on to play a wide variety roles like Captain Jack Ross in A Few Good Men (1992) and Jack Swigert in Apollo 13 (1995). Bacon could definitely channel these serious roles into the very important part of Hugh Crain.
John Goodman As Hugh Crain
In Hugh's later years, he is mostly estranged from his children. They believe he is lying about the events of their mom's death and, for the most part, no longer trust him. However, when Nell dies Hugh is the only one who knows what really happened and what the family should do next.
John Goodman perfectly embodies the paternal role. Although the show Roseanne has not aged well, Goodman's performance in it illustrates how well he is able to play the role of a father. However, Goodman is also able to bring the pain needed for the role of Hugh Crain.
Sigourney Weaver As Clara Dudley
Clara Dudley is one of the caretakers of Hill House. She has worked at the property for many decades, although she refuses to ever stay the night in the house. She is a bit strict and almost creepy when first introduced, but it is soon learned this is because she is trying to protect her daughter Abigail from the many horrors in Hill House.
Sigourney Weaver's background as an action star would make her a strong Clara. Weaver has no shortage of experience with the horror genre thanks to the Alien franchise. However, Clara's part is much more subtle than that of Ellen Ripley, so it would be very interesting to see Weaver in such a role.
Peter Gallagher As Horace Dudley
Horace is the husband of Clara and the groundskeeper at Hill House. He often helps Hugh with his many projects while flipping the house, and is the source of much of Hugh's knowledge about the house. Horace has a much friendlier air about him than Clara, but he too refuses to stay on the property past nightfall.
Peter Gallagher is a man of many talents just like Horace. His previous experience in the world of horror with House on Haunted Hill (1999) makes him a particularly good candidate for this role. It would be good to see Gallagher in the role of a father amidst terror.