Jon Hamm Considered for Lead Role in LA Noire, Writer Reveals
Daniel McMahon, a writer for the 2011 detective game LA Noire, recently disclosed that actor Jon Hamm was considered for the lead role of Cole Phelps. Aaron Staton, known for his role as Ken Cosgrove in *Mad Men*, ultimately portrayed the character. McMahon indicated that while Hamm was a possibility, Staton was deemed better suited to convey the character's nuanced fragility. Published by Rockstar Games and developed by Team Bondi, LA Noire never received a direct sequel despite millions of copies sold. Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, has stated it is considering future projects for all its franchises, including LA Noire.
The 2011 detective game LA Noire, published by Rockstar Games, originally cast Aaron Staton in the lead role of detective Cole Phelps. Staton was known for his portrayal of Ken Cosgrove in the television series *Mad Men*.
According to game writer Daniel McMahon, speaking to IGN, another prominent *Mad Men* actor, Jon Hamm, was also considered for the role. Hamm, who played Don Draper in the series, was a possibility due to the game and the show sharing the same casting director. McMahon stated that Hamm was "discussed as a possibility for the role of Cole Phelps."
McMahon elaborated that while Jon Hamm is a "wonderful actor," he believed Aaron Staton was "much better at portraying Cole's fragility." Staton was seen as more suitable for depicting a "smart, but also young, not very experienced" character "just trying his best." McMahon also noted that Hamm would have been "expensive" and, in the end, likely "not as good casting" as Staton for the character.
LA Noire, developed by Team Bondi, was released in 2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC, set in 1947 Los Angeles. The game later launched on Switch, PS4, and Xbox One in 2017, with a VR edition titled *The Case Files* released in 2019.
Despite selling millions of copies, a sequel for LA Noire has not been developed. In 2021, Aaron Staton mentioned he had "never heard a word" about a follow-up. Rockstar stated in 2012 that a sequel was a "possibility," citing "bandwidth and timing" as factors for not rushing production.
Team Bondi, the original developer, shut down amidst controversy regarding accusations of hostile working conditions, which prompted an investigation by the International Game Developers Association. The studio was reportedly $1.4 million in debt at its closure, with its assets, including a project called *Whore of the Orient*, acquired by film production company Kennedy Miller Mitchell. Earlier this year, Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick indicated that the company is considering future projects for all its franchises, potentially including LA Noire. (Source: GameSpot)
