Revenge Of The Nerds: 10 Actors We Hope Seth MacFarlane Casts In The Reboot

It was recently announced that Seth MacFarlane is set to produce a reboot of the raunchy 1984 college comedy Revenge of the Nerds, with identical twins Keith and Kenny Lucas attached to star. Since the original film has been lambasted for its insensitive depiction of rape, the reboot will redirect course and instead focus on the evolution of nerd culture over the past four decades.

Starring Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong, Ted McGinley, Timothy Busfield, John Goodman, and more, The Revenge of The Nerds remains popular due to its memorable characters and the stellar cast of actors portraying them. Here’s to hoping the reboot follows suit.

10 Jack McBrayer

Few actors have made a career out of their inherent nerdiness in the way Jack McBrayer has since his portrayal as Kenneth Parcell in 30 Rock. It would be a travesty to have an official Revenge of the Nerds movie without his presence.

Whether he plays one of the main nerds or an ancillary character who encounters them, McBrayer ought to be considered in some capacity. He could even play a college faculty member or the fraternity Dean, a la David Wohl in the original film.

9 Rainn Wilson

If Jack McBrayer isn’t cast as Dean Ulich in the Revenge of the Nerds reboot, then the role should go to Rainn Wilson. While he’s played a wide range of characters in his career, his most iconic role still remains the nerdy Dwight Schrute of The Office fame.

Wilson’s ability to embody a nerdy persona could be used to any number of effects in the reboot. If the cast skews younger, he could play one of the college nerd’s proud fathers, much like James Cromwell did in the original.

8 Felicia Day

Although she may seem a bit too old at first blush, self-proclaimed nerd Felicia Day is only six years older than the Lucas brothers. As such, she ought to be considered for some sort of role in the Nerds reboot.

If Day doesn’t play a romantic interest to one of the lead nerd characters, then she could play a motherly figure, a college staff member, or one of the rival sorority members.

7 Tony Revolori

One of the most memorable aspects of the original film was the racially diverse cast of characters, including the African-American Lamar (Larry B. Scott) and Japanese-American Takashi (Brian Tochi). However, there was no Latino representation.

As a way to modernize and diversify the cast of the reboot, the funny and talented Tony Revolori of Dope, Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Grand Budapest Hotel fame ought to be considered.

6 Jermaine Fowler

Few contemporary actors possess the natural talent, humor, and charisma that Jermaine Fowler continues to show on the big and small screen. If MacFarlane has designs on rebooting the character of Lamar, Fowler should be the first choice.

Even if he doesn’t play Lamar, Fowler still ought to be chosen to play a role. He is currently poised to appear opposite Eddie Murphy in the long-awaited Coming 2 America this coming March. In addition to being a hilarious stand-up comedian, Fowler is set to star alongside the Lucas brothers in Judas and the Black Messiah.

5 Zooey Deschanel

Due to her iconic turn as the nerdy New Girl Jess, a role she played for seven years and 146 episodes, there is no one better or more qualified to play a similar character in MacFarlane’s reboot than Zooey Deschanel.

Without effort, Deschanel could play the romantic interest to one of the leads nerds, a la Michelle Meyrink as Judy or even Julia Montgomery as cheerleader Betty Childs.

4 John Goodman

Reboots and sequels often come with cheeky cameo appearances made by stars of the original film. In keeping with the tradition, John Goodman should reprise his role as Harris, the macho football coach who despises the nerds on campus with a passion.

The image of Goodman wearing the red football cap, grey hoodie, and a large whistle again 37 years later is too good to pass up. Even if he isn’t cast as Coach Harris, Goodman makes every comedy better through his mere presence.

3 Rick Moranis

Since Rick Moranis was originally offered the role of Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds, and given how the actor has finally made a comeback to star in Shrunk, he seems to be a perfect candidate to star in the reboot in some capacity.

After decades away from the limelight, Moranis recently appeared in a Mint Mobile commercial alongside a fawning Ryan Reynolds. As the definitive nerdy actor of the 1980s, he should be the first call MacFarlane makes when casting the Nerds reboot.

2 Nick Robinson

Due to his magnetic turn as a teenager with a secret in Love, Simon, Nick Robinson deserves strong consideration for playing the Gilbert-like Nerd (Anthony Edwards) in MacFarlane’s reboot.

In addition to being the smartest of all, Gilbert is the heart and soul of the original movie. His rousing speech at the end about being proud to be a nerd is as inspiring as the character arc Robinson follows in Love, Simon.

1 Daniel Radcliffe

As Harry Potter, the world’s most famous wizard, who better to portray an adult version of a geeky college kid than Daniel Radcliffe. The actor already possesses twitchy energy and an awkward demeanor, which could be used to his benefit if cast in a role.

Due to the casting of the Lucas brothers, chances are there will be no Lewis Skolnik character. But if there was, Radcliffe is the number one choice to play the role.