How We Would Cast the 2016 Presidential Election

Are we the only ones who feel as if the 2016 presidential campaign has been going on for years? While we are literally counting down the days until it’s all over, we must confess that we have been a tad obsessed with all the drama surrounding Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump‘s battle for the presidency. Honestly, the media coverage of the election has been a little like watching a reality show, but we think this story definitely has the potential to be told on the big screen.

With the many twists, turns, allegations, lies, leaked audio tapes and emails, how could this not be turned into a movie someday? You can’t make this stuff up! It has all the makings of a Hollywood disaster flick. Think San Andreas or Independence Day. Audiences will be on the edges of their seats crying… and laughing (depending on your sense of humor).

Related: Get Your Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Emojis

While we’re sure a film is probably already in the works, here is how we would cast Election 2016: Judgment Day….

Emma Thompson as Hillary Clinton

While Kate McKinnon does a phenomenal impression of Hillary Clinton on Saturday Night Live, we think a more serious actress is needed to tackle Hillary in a dramatic version of the 2016 road to the White House. Enter Emma Thompson. Sure, she’s British, but Meryl Streep playing Margaret Thatcher worked out just fine, right? Plus, Thompson more or less portrayed Hillary in Primary Colors, which was based on Joe Klein’s novel inspired by Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. When playing Hillary this time around, we imagine the Love Actually star will bring the perfect amount of sass while quarreling on screen with Trump. Thompson also has the acting capabilities to dive deep into the many (sometimes confusing) layers that make up Hillary Clinton. Can’t you already see her shaking her unimpressed head during the debate scenes?

Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump

Let the record reflect that we thought of this before SNL announced it had tapped him to portray the Donald! But honestly, who better to play the Republican nominee than a staunch liberal like Alec Baldwin? He’s also one of the most versatile actors around and has clearly mastered the caricature of Trump on SNL, which is why we’d like to see him take things even further on the big screen. This could be Baldwin’s chance to win Oscar gold!

John Travolta as Bill Clinton

As he’s demonstrated in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story and Hairspray!, John Travolta really knows how to transform himself for a role. He also basically played Bill (though his character’s name was Jack Stanton) in the aforementioned Primary Colors, where Travolta convinced us that he can do a better Bill Clinton than Bill Clinton can! However, Travolta will have to be on a strict diet if he’s portraying the fit-and-trim Bill Clinton of today, who slimmed down and got healthy when he became a vegan in 2010.

Angelina Jolie as Melania Trump

Although Angelina Jolie has been focusing more on her humanitarian work, directing, and divorce as of late, we think the right project could lure her back into the Hollywood spotlight. (Not to mention the fact that her father, Jon Voight, happens to be a big Trump supporter and would probably urge her to take on the role! ) The Oscar-winning actress has proven she can pull off an accent, and is one of the few stars who could do Melania Trump justice in both the looks and wardrobe department. Who else could pull off the Gucci pussy bow?

Larry David as Bernie Sanders

C’mon, is there anyone else fit to play Bernie Sanders? Larry David’s impersonation of the longtime Vermont senator on SNL was so spot-on that if you put them side by side, it would be hard to tell them apart. When asked by Anderson Cooper what he thought of the impression, Sanders cracked: “Anderson, I know you’ve been in journalism for a long time. I am Larry David. And you didn’t get it!”

Will Smith as Barack Obama

President Obama has already spoken to Will Smith about the possibly playing him in a biopic someday, so this would be the perfect opportunity for him to test the waters. Smith definitely possesses the acting chops and — as Obama said himself — the ears.

Regina King as Michelle Obama

Emmy winner Regina King bears an uncanny resemblance to Michelle Obama. (Have you seen those upper arms?!) King’s also strong and smart, just like the first lady. We’re sure Obama would approve of King playing her in a movie! We can’t wait to see her tackle the scene when Mrs. Obama is told Melania ripped off parts of her speech for her own address at the Republican National Convention.

Blake Lively as Ivanka Trump

Stylish Blake Lively would certainly have no problem emulating Ivanka Trump’s chic look. After all, Ivanka once said she’d love to raid Lively’s closet: “She always looks amazing and is a great combination of stylish and sexy.” But the similarities between these two women don’t end there. They’re both successful working moms who know a thing or two about running a business and a brand. They also happen to be friends, which is why we think Ivanka would be delighted with our casting choice (provided she approves of the script).

Jason Sudeikis as Donald Trump Jr.

The Saturday Night Live alum has shown he’s a master of comedy as well as drama, so whichever way this movie plays out, we think Jason Sudeikis is up to the task. And though he and his real-life wife, Olivia Wilde, are anti-Trump, we think Sudeikis would still jump at the chance to portray a better-looking version of the Donald’s firstborn and namesake.

Macaulay Culkin as Eric Trump

Macaulay Culkin still has plenty of fans. That’s why we’d love to see him return to the big screen in a big-budget film like Election 2016: Judgment Day. Since he’d be playing Trump’s lesser-known son, it’s not a huge role, but he’d get to sport his slicked-back Home Alone hair again! Culkin also seems like a good sport who is game to do just about anything, so we imagine he’d have a blast playing the 32-year-old businessman who loves golf and big-game hunting.

Ashley Benson as Tiffany Trump

Ashley Benson, who stars in the dark TV series Pretty Little Liars, is the perfect choice to play the mysterious Tiffany Trump, the other daughter of Donald Trump and his ex-wife Marla Maples. Come to think of it, Pretty Little Liars would also be the perfect name for a movie about the 2016 election. Too bad it’s already taken!

Bryce Dallas Howard as Chelsea Clinton

Bryce Dallas Howard knows a thing or two about being the daughter of a famous person, thanks to her director father, Ron Howard. Portraying Chelsea Clinton, another redhead in her mid-30s raising two young kids, is the perfect gig for an actress known for disappearing into her roles. We are now projecting that, by the end of filming, these two women will be close friends.

Michael Keaton as Tim Kaine

Oscar winner Michael Keaton has had a resurgence in Hollywood over the past couple of years, so we think he’d love to sink his teeth into a role that would allow him to play with such a talented ensemble cast. Plus, we can see him totally exuding the walking dad joke that is Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Kaine.

John Slattery as Mike Pence

Former Mad Men star John Slattery and the Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence look like they could be brothers. Need we say more?

Gwyneth Paltrow as Kellyanne Conway

Sure, Kellyanne Conway only joined team Trump in July and became his campaign manager in August, but she’s quickly become a central character in the election drama. And who better to play her than another woman who’s faced a lot of criticism, Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow? The star can channel some of her pent-up emotions in the scene where Conway reacts to the leak of the Billy Bush tape.

Billy Bush as Billy Bush

Speaking of Billy Bush — given that he and NBC have recently parted ways, we’re guessing that he wouldn’t turn down the job.

Election 2016: Judgment Day — coming to a theater near you!