No ‘T’ in ‘The A-Team’?

I’ve made no secret about being excited for the The A-Team movie coming out this summer.  No matter what other trailer I see (including even Iron Man 2) there’s something  about The A-Team that just resonates with me. Maybe it’s the nostalgia factor or it could be that director Joe Carnahan knows how to make a kick-ass action film (see Smokin’ Aces).  Either way, it’s my number one pick for the 2010 Summer blockbuster season.

One particular aspect of the new film I’m looking forward to are the cameos from Dirk Benedict and Dwight Shultz, the original Faceman and Murdock.  With these two secured I was certain Carnahan would pull off the best cameo trio ever and get Mr. T as well. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Latino Review caught up with Mr. T (at a gym no less) and asked him about whether he’d be in the new film, which apparently he won’t be:

“He said it wasn’t about money, because he turned down the chance to appear in the film before that was even discussed. He said it just wouldn’t be right for him to be in it. If his B.A. isn’t the main guy, then why do it? What’s wrong with the film that they need him to make a cameo?

Plus they would market the film with him being in it, and he didn’t want his friends and family to think he would have some big role when he wouldn’t. He told me he has nothing against the cast or even the fact that they’re doing a remake. But a cameo is just something he wasn’t interested in. He said he’s very happy with his life right now and enjoys giving back to the community.”

First off, bummer. However, maybe I’ve watched too many conspiracy episodes of The X-Files but I’m not convinced 100%  of Mr. T’s absence just yet. Mr. T could be spinning disinformation to mask a cameo he does actually have in the film. My fingers remained crossed and brow suspiciously furrowed.

Mind you, if Mr. T really is content with doing World of Warcraft commercials and helping the community, more power to him.  As much as I credit the original actors for return, I have to commend Mr. T for opting out since he’s moved onto other things. I’d be a fool not to.

The A-Team comes to theaters June 11, 2010.