Okay, so pick a movie or two and recast the main characters with other actors. The idea is to create a different story by bringing people with different strengths to the roles we all know and love. I'll start!
The Matrix:
Neo:
Stephanie Jacobsen
Trinity:
James McAvoy
Morpheus:
Jimmy Smits
Smith:
Cliff Curtis
My thought is that the Matrix suffered from cliche gender and race roles. The main character is a white male, the female lead and love interest is white, the mystical character is black and the bad guy is white? Comon. The role of Neo was made for someone with the quiet intensity and bold presence of Stephanie Jacobsen, best known for her roles on BSG: Razor and Sarah Connor Chronicles. Not to mention she's positively gorgeous.
Trinity as a man feels a bit more natural, especially with the range that James McAvoy brings to the table. I'm just guessing, but I think McAvoy and Jacobsen would have absolutely incredible chemistry.
Morpheus suffered from what I've heard called the "mystical negro" problem: black people are often relegated to this position because writers don't understand how to write a character that's black. When I think a very strong lead with unparallelled presence but also the physicality to do wirework, I think Jimmy Smits. He's one of my favorite actors and really demonstrated something special this last season on Dexter, not to mention his roles on NYPD Blue and West Wing. I'd be willing to bet he could bring the religious undertones with fury and passion.
Smith was a bit of a thing. Like the other roles, Weaving did an incredible job, really brining character to the roll that I don't know if anyone can match. Still, I imagine a different Smith in the form of Cliff Curtis (Whale Rider, Traffic, Sunshine). Not only is this actor versatile, but he has an element of style that I think would morph the roll into something a bit more playful. Moreover, the actor is big and has demonstrated being very intimidating, which is something quite different from what Weaving brought to the character.
Altogether, this would have made Matrix a bit less cookie-cutter. I'm still really glad they didn't go with Will Smith. "Awwwww hellll naaawwww...."
Alright, your turn!