Jon Hamm, widely recognized for his role as Don Draper in Mad Men, was at one point considered for the lead part of Cole Phelps in the 2011 crime thriller L.A. Noire. Daniel McMahon, a writer for the game developed by Team Bondi, shared this detail in an interview, noting that Hamm was a candidate before his Mad Men colleague Aaron Staton was ultimately cast.
McMahon explained that while Hamm is a talented actor, he wasn't perceived as the ideal physical or emotional match for Cole Phelps. "It was never said at the time, but now I understand the vision, which was Jon Hamm is a wonderful actor, but he’s not Cole Phelps," McMahon stated. He elaborated that Hamm's portrayal of Don Draper, a character defined by a polished exterior masking deep insecurity and a penchant for alcohol, shared thematic similarities with Phelps. This resemblance likely contributed to Hamm's consideration for the role.
However, the development team ultimately concluded that Staton was better suited to convey Phelps's complex emotional state. "Aaron Staton was much better at portraying Cole’s fragility," McMahon said. Hamm's interpretation of Don Draper, known for his stoic and often self-destructive demeanor, might have overshadowed the nuanced vulnerability the developers sought for Phelps.
Despite Hamm not being chosen for the protagonist role, McMahon suggested that the actor could have been a strong fit for other characters in L.A. Noire, such as Jack Kelso. The primary obstacle, according to McMahon, was Hamm's perceived cost. "I think Jon Hamm would have been incredible, but expensive," he commented.
L.A. Noire was released 15 years ago. While there has been fan interest in a potential sequel, with Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick previously indicating that such possibilities were on the table, there are no immediate plans for the series to continue.