Get ready for a blast of nostalgia as we dive into the fascinating tale of how Jon Hamm nearly became the face of L.A. Noire's Cole Phelps. Daniel McMahon, one of the game's writers, has spilled the beans on what could have been a career-changing role for the Mad Men star in an exclusive chat with YouTuber Cade Onder.
Imagine playing as Don Draper - no, wait, it was meant to be Jon Hamm as the tough-as-nails detective Cole Phelps in L.A. Noire. This action-adventure game had players solving crimes and taking down LA's corrupt underbelly in a gritty post-WWII setting that drew in millions worldwide (7.5 million units sold, to be exact). And it wasn't just the gameplay that wowed critics - its innovative facial animation tech made interrogations feel eerily realistic.
In an interview, McMahon revealed he once presented Hamm's image as the perfect fit for Cole Phelps. But it was a different Mad Men co-star, Aaron Staton (who played Ken Cosgrove), who ultimately landed the role. And according to McMahon, that was no mistake - while Hamm is undeniably talented, Staton brought a vulnerability and inexperience to the character that perfectly captured its nuances.
McMahon reckons Hamm would have been amazing but, alas, expensive. He explained that Phelps was a fragile, 'flapping-around-with-no-idea-what-he's-doing' kind of guy - despite being super intelligent. Staton's portrayal may not be as flashy, but it's the one that truly brought Cole to life.
Despite its massive success and critical acclaim, Rockstar Games has yet to produce a direct sequel to L.A. Noire. But a spiritual successor, Whore Of The Orient (yes, that's the title!), was announced soon after - only to be cancelled five years later, leaving fans wondering if we'll ever get another chance to step into Cole's shoes.