Image: Sandro Miller, Catherine Edelman Gallery Chicago

You don't have to love John Malkovich — or even be familiar with his body of work — to understand that every piece of art can be improved with him in it.

Sandro Miller wanted to find a way to pay tribute to the photographers that changed his perspective on art. So Miller turned to a friend and co-worker of 17 years who also, incidentally, happens to be one of pop culture's most cultish personalities. Yes, the man himself: John Malkovich.

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The idea was to recreate 30 iconic images with Malkovich as the subject.

"I chose John because deep in my heart, I knew he was the only actor who would be willing to morph into numerous subjects portrayed in the original images," Miller said in a press release.

That was nearly 18 months ago. The series of transformations would, unsurprisingly, take a lot of time.

Miller spent the first eight months researching ever tiny detail in the photographs, and making hires: a wardrobe stylist, a hair and makeup expert, and a set builder.

The results are an astoundingly precise Malkovich-y replica. Just try not to laugh too much because, as Miller said, it was never his intent to create a parody of these works. There is not a trace of irony here. Just a genuine, wide-eyed appreciation of pop-culture photography.

"I want people to reexamine these iconic images, and feel the strength, power and storytelling that a single portrait can attain," Miller said.

If nothing else, the story here seems to be that Malkovich can do no wrong: opera performer, screen actor, theater star, clothing line-owner and now, convincing model.

(h/t 7-Post and Liberation)