Lena Younger (Mama) - Irma P. Hall

In describing Mama throughout the play, she is basically everything you can ask for in a family. As the text describes, "a woman in her early sixties, full-bodied and strong". Mama has the notion that with the plan to move out the apartment, it will bring the family closer together. As she is the heart and soul of the family, she will fulfill her family dreams of owning a backyard and a garden. Mama's mind is full of dreams and optimistic views of the family. One symbol that Mama identifies with closely is the plant. By caring for the plant is her way of defining the circumstance of the family.
Casting Lena Younger (Mama) was a difficult role to choose due to many actresses fitting the criteria particularly Oprah Winfrey, but Irma P. hall is the typical grandmother and matriarch of all movies. Known for her role as portraying the grandmother in movies such as, Soul Food, Meet the Browns, A Family Thing, Irma P. Hall is a family oriented actor who brings the family together in hopes of making great strides in a family. Many characteristics have defined her as an actress: strong-willed, nurturing and courageous.

Ruth Younger - Jada Pinkett Smith

As a responsive black woman in her thirties married to Walter Lee Younger, Ruth is dealing with many hardships throughout her family's apartment. In the play, she is an independent, charismatic young woman who wants what's best for the family, which is to move out of the neighborhood. Her marriage with Walter is at times an up and down situation due to his mistakes and downfall. She brings the idea out that, "what kills you, only makes you stronger" type of persona. By having the ability to stay strong and fight through adversity, she is willing to bring her family out of the apartment.
In casting Ruth Younger a devoted actress that would fulfill these traits is Jada Pinkett Smith. As a career driven actress, Jada Pinkett has always played the motherly role in most her films. In overcoming many roles, she has played Mom, Model, Actress, Singer and Producer. The success of her career has truly made her into a terrific individual. Being married to another great actor is what sticks out in her career as well, but in all reality, Jada Pinkett Smith has also seen the success of her kids become a major milestone in her career. Not only is Jada Pinkett Smith fit to play the mother in A Raisin in the Sun, but she can truly inspire many individuals with the success of her family.

Travis Younger - Gary Coleman

As young child who wants to live a normal childhood in the south side of Chicago, Travis Younger is the typical kid in the neighborhood who hangs with his age range and learns to get an education like the rest of his youth. In the midst of dealing with his grandfather's insurance money, Travis also bags groceries on the side at his local supermarket. In reality, he just wants some extra change in order to fund his schooling and fulfill his education. Having no room of his own is one factor that sets him apart from all the other kids, but one's thing for sure is that his family will guide him in the right direction. Known for his comedic style and lovable personality, a very young Gary Coleman would fit the emotional characteristics of Travis Younger. As a 12 year old kid playing Arnold Jackson in Different Strokes, he had the innocence of a young fellow with dreams and aspirations. Gary Coleman was a lovable, good-natured actor who would brighten the day with his smile and the presence he brought among many individuals. Playing Arnold Jackson in his series definitely complements his personality as Travis Younger. Like any other child, Gary was the kid who brought along attention to the family, as well making a name for himself.

BoBo - Michael Clarke Duncan

Known for his loyalty to Walter Lee Younger, Bobo's lack of intelligence seem to be known throughout the play. As a business partner to Walter, Bobo's inarticulate mind is the reason why the liquor store will never become a success. Though his kindness and hopefulness is a positive characteristic for his personality, it is obvious throughout the story, his brain is as small as a nut in terms of describing his persona.
Though very high in stature for his character as Bobo, Michael Clarke Duncan plays an excellent role for Bobo just for the sake of his height and the way he portrays himself in many of his movies particularly, "The Green Mile". In my opinion, Duncan is more than just a big body, his kindhearted personality says a lot about him. Playing as John Coffey in the The Green Mile is what struck him as Bobo in my opinion.

Karl Lidner - Matthew Broderick

Being the only white character, Karl Lidner bring the news of the Younger Family to stay away from moving into the white neighborhood for their sake. By being a shy individual, Karl is only doing his job just for the sake of the Younger family, not for his benefit. In all means, he is not the type of person to show hatred amongst his clients, but informing them that "people want to live among their own kind". As a messenger for the white community, he is only doing what's best for the organization in the neighborhood. By offering them an incentive to stay away, the Younger refuse his offer and make it more difficult for his job.
By casting a young Matthew Broderick, he displays the true character of a what a businessman is capable of achieving throughout his career. In his eyes, he believes what is right for his future and what will definitely benefit him in the long run. His character as Karl Lidner is not in a negative persona, but more of a way of telling an individual what is right and wrong in a certain circumstance.

George Murchinson - Taye Diggs

In the play of "Raisin In the Sun", George Murchinson displays many advantages and disadvantages of a black individual. In hopes of impressing Beneatha, he is just another man trying to woo Beneatha with his charm and wealthy lifestyle. With the competition of Joseph Asagai, George gives into notion that he is somewhat living in a white society where he shys away from this African-American roots, which puts him at a disadvantage with the Younger family. In George's point of view, it's about social class rather than the discrimination of Black and White. In his eyes, his life is established due to his family's success.
A talented actor in his own kind, Taye Diggs would be a significant role for this character just for the success and the way he portrays himself in many of his movies. From playing a Broadway actor and establishing himself as a doctor in a television series, Taye Diggs is a sophisticated handsome black man who has achieved success in many aspects of theater arts. From a producer to an actor, Taye Diggs is the comparison to George Murchinson.

Joseph Asagai - Djimon Hounsou

By confessing his love to Beneatha, Joseph Asagai is a respectful, well-manned Nigerian student who wants what's best for Beneatha and her family. By teaching her the culture and traditions of the African-American heritage, he is pleased to be caring for Beneatha's environment. Regardless of where he came from, Joseph is a confident man who is proud to confess his love for not only Beneatha, but his country gaining a sense of self. In reality, Joseph is a man with cultural influences to benefit Beneatha, yet also willing to lead Beneatha in the right direction in their future.
As an actor born in Africa, Djimon Hounsou has definitely established himself into not only an actor, but also a well-known model in Europe. In creating a name for himself, Djimon has appeared in the world renowned movie, "Blood Diamonds'', where he would eventually receive his big break. In characterizing him as Joseph Asagai, he is what Beneatha is looking for in a true confident young man: Tall, Dark and Handsome. By creating a Nigerian student in a  relationship with Beneatha, Djimon Hounsou is credited with his success throughout his movies and what he has come from in his African roots.