So in honor of the United States' Independence Day, here is my top 10 list of Fictional Presidents. As always, we are looking at Presidents in movies and TV shows... being awesome.
So let's get to it.
Top 10 Fictional TV and Movie Presidents
Honorable Mention 1: Robert Wisdon as Richard Nixon in "Watchmen": So, yes... I know Richard Nixon was a real President. Looking back he sure feels fictional, but he was real. But this version of Nixon was President for more than 2 terms due to the US and Russia never leaving the Cold War.
Honorable Mention 2: Robin Willians as Tom Dobbs in "Man Of The Year": It's Robin Williams. A huge what if type story. A Jon Stewart type character farsely runs for President. Due to a voting machine malfunction, he is elected President. The reason, this doesn't go on the list...... if he doesn't get to really BE President. He gives up his victory due to finding out about the machine error.
10: Peter Sellers as Merkin Muffley in "Dr. Strangelove": This wonderful STANLEY KUBRICK Cold War satire is made that more brilliant with the legendary Peter Sellers trying to figure out a plan against the titular character's Doomsday Device.
9. Jeff Daniels as Jackson Evans in "The Contender": A story about a President having to deal with the sudden death of his VP. He must choose a replacement. He goes against the recommendations, and decides on a Woman for his VP. This movie showed me that as goofy as Jeff Daniels can be, he can be JUST as composed and serious. Presidential, if you will.
8. Morgan Freeman as Tom Beck in "Deep Impact": The ONLY thing you need to know about why this is on the list is it is Morgan Freeman as President. Just like in the Almighty movies, he played God. It is that kind of fit.
7. Michael Douglas as Andrew Shepherd in "The American President": Douglas plays a good person Presidential widower who is just trying to get back into world. Falling in love AND trying to be President. One of the best Romantic movies I've seen. It's worth a watch.
6. Dennis Haysbert as David Palmer in "24": The first TV Series on this list and is part of the reason this list includes TV series. Jack Bauer is the hero to the "24" series, but if there was a number 2 protagonist, it is David Palmer. He is as much a hero on his front as Jack is on his.
5: Jack Nicholson as James Dale in "Mars Attacks": Goofy Tim Burton alien invasion movie. But dammit, he had to ask Jack Nicholson to play his President. And he played it as himself. This is Jack playing Jack as President. Like the Morgan Freeman entry... that speaks for itself.
4. Luke Wilson as Joe Bauers in "Idiocracy": Average American soldier Frozen for 500 years. Wakes up in a society of idiots. Easily becomes President. Think Mr. Smith goes To Washington Meets Futurama. And even that is still gonna make this movie more weird for you.
3. Martin Sheen as Josiah Barlett in "The West Wing": One of the GREATEST TV series of the modern era. And 100% because of Martin Sheen in this role. Smart every man feel to his character. With some of the best Presidential speeches I've seen. So much so, I would vote for Josiah Bartlett.
2. Harrison Ford as James Marshall in "Air Force One": Harrison Ford plays badasses. It is what he does. And here he is playing a President who decided to fight against hijackers on HIS plane. Air Force One is a decent action thriller, but Harrison Ford elevates it because he is Harrison Ford. And this was Ford during his stride.
And the Number 1 Fictional TV or Movie President...
1. Bill Pullman as Thomas Whitmore in "Independence Day": Ha... list for Independence Day... and this one is number one!? Seriously though, I love Bill Pullman. He is an underestimated actor. He really is. And this one... contrast to Jack Nicholson in "Mars Attacks", here we have a more serious alien invasion movie with a President who was able to be badass and calm under pressure. And Pullman pulls this off smoothly, with one of the BEST fictional Presidential speeches in film/tv history...
Which you can watch here -> Whitmore Speech
There you go. Any fictional Presidents I might've missed that you love? Tell me in the comments.
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