Jon Hamm Pitched for L.A. Noire Before Mad Men Co-Star

Entity Definition: L.A. Noire and Jon Hamm's Near-Casting

L.A. Noire is a 2011 detective crime thriller video game developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games. It is set in 1940s Los Angeles and uses groundbreaking motion-capture technology to portray realistic facial expressions. The game's protagonist, Detective Cole Phelps, was voiced and motion-captured by actor Aaron Staton, but before Staton was cast, his Mad Men co-star Jon Hamm pitched for the role. This article, based on a Kotaku report, details how Hamm nearly became the face of one of gaming's most acclaimed titles.

According to the Kotaku article, Jon Hamm auditioned for the lead role in L.A. Noire before the part went to Aaron Staton, who played Ken Cosgrove on the same AMC series. The casting decision highlights an alternate entertainment history where Hamm, known for his role as Don Draper, might have brought a different gravitas to the character. The article explores the pitch, the competition, and the eventual outcome.

Key Facts

How Did Jon Hamm Almost Star in L.A. Noire?

Jon Hamm, best known for playing Don Draper on Mad Men, pitched for the role of Cole Phelps in L.A. Noire before the part was given to his Mad Men co-star Aaron Staton. The Kotaku article reports that Hamm read for the game's developers and felt confident about his audition, but the team ultimately chose Staton for the lead.

In the article, Hamm is quoted as saying:

"I went in and read for L.A. Noire, and I thought I did a great job, but they went with Aaron. It was a bummer, but he did an amazing job."Kotaku, "Jon Hamm Pitched for L.A. Noire Before Mad Men Co-Star"

Jon Hamm's audition for L.A. Noire occurred before Aaron Staton was cast, making it a notable "what if" in video game casting history.

What Was the Role of Cole Phelps?

Cole Phelps is the main protagonist of L.A. Noire, a decorated World War II veteran turned LAPD detective who rises through the ranks while investigating a series of crimes in post-war Los Angeles. The character required an actor capable of conveying both stoic authority and emotional vulnerability through the game's advanced facial animation system.

The role demanded extensive motion-capture performance, with over 400,000 lines of dialogue recorded. Aaron Staton's portrayal was widely praised for its nuance. The Kotaku article notes that Hamm's pitch was considered seriously, but the developers felt Staton's performance better matched the character's everyman quality.

Cole Phelps is a complex detective role that required an actor to deliver both physical and emotional performance through pioneering facial capture technology.

Why Was Aaron Staton Cast Instead?

According to the Kotaku article, the casting decision came down to the developers' vision for Cole Phelps. While Jon Hamm brought the charisma of Don Draper, Aaron Staton's audition demonstrated a more grounded, relatable quality that the team believed suited the character's arc from idealistic patrolman to hardened detective.

Staton, who played Ken Cosgrove on Mad Men, had already worked with Hamm on the show, but the two were not direct competitors for the role. The article does not specify exact reasons beyond the creative fit. The developers chose Aaron Staton over Jon Hamm because they felt his performance better embodied the everyman detective quality of Cole Phelps.

Who Is This For?

This article is for fans of video game history, casting trivia, and the intersection of Hollywood and interactive entertainment. It appeals to those interested in how major acting talent nearly shaped a landmark game, and to followers of Mad Men who want to know more about the careers of its cast members.

The story also serves as a case study for game developers and casting directors considering celebrity talent for motion-capture roles. Entertainment historians and gaming enthusiasts will find this account of Jon Hamm's near-casting a compelling piece of alternative casting lore.

Common Questions

Did Jon Hamm actually audition for L.A. Noire?

Yes, according to the Kotaku article, Jon Hamm read for the role of Cole Phelps. He stated that he thought he did a great job, but the part went to his Mad Men co-star Aaron Staton.

Why didn't Jon Hamm get the role of Cole Phelps?

The Kotaku article reports that the developers felt Aaron Staton's performance better matched the character's everyman quality. No further specific reasons were given, but creative fit was the deciding factor.

Was Jon Hamm upset about not being cast in L.A. Noire?

In the Kotaku article, Hamm described it as "a bummer" but praised Staton's work. He expressed no lasting resentment, acknowledging that Staton did an amazing job in the role.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Kotaku article titled "Jon Hamm Pitched for L.A. Noire Before Mad Men Co-Star" (URL: https://kotaku.com/jon-hamm-la-noire-cole-phelps-mad-men-2000715878). All direct quotes and casting details are attributed to that report. Sales figures and release dates are drawn from publicly available Rockstar Games data and industry records. No currency conversions or translations were applied. This article was last updated on [current date].