How a last-minute recast made Martin Scorsese’s The Departed iconic

Martin Scorsese is often regarded as one of the most talented and visionary directors. It doesn't come as a surprise for anyone who has heard him speak about cinema. Even as an 82-year-old man, he talks about cinema with a passion and enthusiasm that would put 20-year-olds to shame. After all, he has been making films for almost seven decades. Yet, he received an Oscar in 2007, often considered too late of an honor for a filmmaker of his stature.

Regarded as one of Scorsese's finest works, The Departed has left a huge legacy behind. It earned Scorsese an Academy Award, but that's not the only reason why it is considered remarkable. The film brings an iconic cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg, who bring their A-game to the table. Although only Wahlberg was nominated for an Oscar, the other acting performances were worth respect and recognition.

Another key actor in this film was Martin Sheen, who played officer Martin Sheen. However, a little-known fact is that he was cast after Irish actor, Gerard McSorley, had to step out from the film.

Disclaimer: This article contains writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.

Why was Officer Queenan's role recast in Martin Scorsese's The Departed?

The Departed is an adaptation of a 2002 crime action thriller titled, Infernal Affairs set in Hong Kong. William Monahan uses a similar baseline plot but places its characters in 1980s Boston. To get the ethos right, he introduces some culturally specific nuances in his narrative. One of these nuances is the depiction of the Irish-American community. Since Martin Scorsese was directing the project, he might have preferred character actors who could understand these details without much effort. Perhaps with the same intention, he casted Irish actor, Gerard McSorley.

McSorley is a revered actor in his own right, who has worked in Oscar-nominated projects like Daniel Day-Lewis-led In the Name of the Father (1993), and Ralph Fiennes-led The Constant Gardener (2005). With these performances, besides his work in Bloody Sunday (2002) and Michael Collins (1996), McSorley has made a name for himself. So, it doesn't come as a surprise that he was going to be a part of a Scorsese film. However, he had to step out from the project reportedly due to scheduling conflicts. Eventually, the role went to Martin Sheen.

How a casting decision in Martin Scorsese's The Departed affected the film?

Martin Sheen on the set of Apocalypse Now (Image Source: Getty)

Gerard McSorley's inclusion in The Departed might have helped it stay faithful to its Irish roots. In his absence, Sheen's casting doesn't come as a surprise since the Wall Street star has often received tall praise for his performances. Known widely for his performances in Terrence Malick's Badlands, Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now, and the NBC TV series, The West Wing, Sheen had already proven his acting chops by the time The Departed role was offered to him.

Through his performance as Captain Queenan, Sheen brings a sense of groundedness that bounces off perfectly against Mark Wahlberg's low-tempered Sergeant Dignam, who always feels just a step away from slapping the next person in the room! Sheen's portrayal made Queenan appear calm and composed even in the particularly heated situations of the film. Such tense moments were aplenty in this film about an undercover cop (DiCaprio), and a mole (Damon) trying to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish-American gang.

In the film's cleverly led-out game of secret identities and deception, Sheen's portrayal offered a much-needed balance amid its firey action sequences and heated jabs. So, Sheen's recasting elevates the film in a direction different than what McSorley might have accomplished had he played this role.