Casting Call!

[Doktor Estrella]

I thought it was time to bring this out again...who are your picks for the characters? Why do you think that they would fit the role?

***

Jonathan Strange...Jack Davenport (Norrington in "PotC")
Mr. Norrell.............Kenneth Branagh (Prof. Lockhart in "HP: CoS")

I like the idea of both of these actors because I can visually place them in the roles when I read the novel. The reason I picked Kenneth Branagh, particularly is because Clarke never states that Norrell is very old, only that "he was the sort of man who had been old at seventeen" (from Ch. 2, "The Old Starre Inn").

Edit: Also, when Strange casts his first spell, the text states that Norrell "...was perhaps fifty..." (from Ch. 22, "The Knight of Wands").

[segundus]

I'd still say Christopher Eccleston as Childermass.

[The Colour of Heartache]

To rehash old conversations, no one will ever replace Ian Holm for me as Norrell.

[Doktor Estrella]

Ian Holm as Vinculus, perhaps?

[The Colour of Heartache]

No, he's not lean enough for Vinculus. Definitely Norrell.

[Starre]

David Thewlis as Vinculus and Gary Oldman as Childermass?(Althought i thought from the beginning that Childermass is a bit like Willem Dafoe.Sorry)

[otherlander]

Oh, my! Good to see this one revived!

Here's my dream cast...

Gilbert Norrell - Robert Lindsay

Jonathan Strange - James MacAvoy. I'm hearing the cries of "He's too short", you know. And I don't care. His looks and attitude are perfect.

John Segundus - James D'Arcy

John Childermass - Richard Armitage

Christopher Drawlight - Eddie Izzard or Alan Cumming

Henry Lascelles - Jude Law

Vinculus - Bill Nighy
.
Arabella Strange - Emily Blunt

Sir Walter Pole - Jeremy Northam

Lady Emma Pole - Tamsin Egerton

Stephen Black - Adrian Lester. And if anyone mentions Chiwetel Ejiofor one more time, I will go nuts.

Flora Greysteel - Romola Garai

The Gentleman with the Thistle-Down Hair - Jonathan Rhys-Meyers or Gaspard Ulliel if he can pull off "zeee accent"

[Bracton]

Michael Eddington would have been my choice for Norrell, but sadly he’s long passed on. Robert Lindsay would be good. Christopher Ecclestone for Childermass would be perfect, but I think David Tennant would be a good candidate for Jonathan Strange. Having both Doctors would be a little too much for me. Kris Marshall might not be bad for the Gentleman with the Thistle-Down hair, he has the manic energy (and height) necessary. Although Jonathan Rhys-Meyers does look the part.

Alan Rickman would be a fantastic Raven King, although he is probably too heavily associated with Harry Potter for it to be workable. Hey, a magician can dream can’t he?

[Doktor Estrella]

I just realized the other day when I was flipping channels and stopped on "Are You Being Served?" that I've been picturing John Inman as Drawlight all these years, and possibly used Trevor Bannister as my mental image of Lascelles. I have no idea if that was absurd of me or not...

...And welcome to the forums, Bracton!

[Bracton]

That’s brilliant Estrella.

‘I’m free!’

Thankyou for the warm welcome.

[otherlander]

Kris Marshall might not be bad for the Gentleman with the Thistle-Down hair, he has the manic energy (and height) necessary.

First of all, welcome to the forums!

And now...

Oh no! You didn't just say that Nicky from "My Family" would be right for TD, now, did you?

Kris Marshall is funny, but I don't think he can pull off the aristocratic arrogance of The Gentleman. Plus, excuse my being so mean and shallow, but he's not too blessed in the looks department, and everyone knows TD is supposed to be beautiful. As in, the kind of beautiful that makes your mind freeze and renders you incapable of anything besides staring!

OK, I scared you enough... I'm sorry, I'm just a crazed Gentleman fan :D

[Bracton]

I have a fairly irreverent mental picture of all things aristocratic. The Gentleman, to me, seemed to have the manic energy of a circus ring-master and I could see Marshall being up to that.

[otherlander]

Oh, I can see your point now.

My mental picture of aristocracy usually involves good-looking people being very sophisticated, well spoken and sadistic :D

There is a manic energy about The Gentleman, but I wouldn't compare him to a circus master. Whoever is cast needs, first of all, to look the part and then, to be able to convey an energy that is almost on the brink of madness. That's why I like the idea of Rhys Meyers in this role. I've always found him gorgeous (although the beard he's been growing for The Tudors doesn't suit him at all) and there's something about his eyes that makes him look almost possessed, which is very TD-like to me :)

[Bracton]

It’s pointless getting into an argument with you about this otherlander! Rhys Meyers is certainly handsome enough, but what I’ve seen of him he seems to be a little bit wooden. I always see the Gentleman as in nigh-constant motion, whether on his feet or through magical means.

I’d like to shoe horn Emma Thompson into the cast list as she’s fantastic, but I just can’t think of a part suited to her. Perhaps a cameo as Catherine of Winchester.

[otherlander]

I'm not trying to argue, I'm sorry you got that impression.

Perhaps Emma Thompson could be Lady Pole's mother, Mrs. Wintertowne?

[Bracton]

No, no no: my tongue was firmly in my cheek! :D

[Changeling]

Childermass ..... Rufus Sewell (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001722/), or Ben Chaplin (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001035/)
The Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair .... Cillian Murphy (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0614165/), though he might be good for Lascelles as well
Raven King .... Hmm, I don't know, but I saw this picture from Stardust (http://img523.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stardust42ravenkingme1.jpg), and doesn't it look like him? Not that I'm necessarily recommending Mark Strong, though.
Arabella Strange .... Kelly MacDonald (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0531808/)
Lady Pole .... Emilia Fox (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0288976/)
Mr Norrell .... yeah, I see Ian Holm, but I'm not sure he would work really well.
Jonathan Strange ... this is where it gets tough... I really don't want James McAvoy as Jonathan Strange. He's not at all the way I pictured him. I pictured him a bit more like Raymond Coulthard (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0183557/), as Frank Churchill in Emma: shot of him next to Jonathan Strange illustration (http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7948/strangezg7.jpg).

And that's all I've been thinking of for now...

[arabella]

I can't seem to picture anyone besides David Tennant as Jonathan Strange! He is a favourite of mine these days, but I generally try not to picture actors as characters when I read. Now if there ever is a movie I fear it wont feel quite right to me if someone else is cast. :(

[Bracton]

I can't seem to picture anyone besides David Tennant as Jonathan Strange! He is a favourite of mine these days, but I generally try not to picture actors as characters when I read. Now if there ever is a movie I fear it wont feel quite right to me if someone else is cast. :(

I usually find that I picture actors as characters if I've seen the film/TV adaption before I've read the book. It happened with Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice (the older BBC adaption, not the film).

[The Colour of Heartache]

I love the idea of Cillian Murphy as the Gentleman.

I can't seem to picture anyone besides David Tennant as Jonathan Strange! He is a favourite of mine these days, but I generally try not to picture actors as characters when I read.

Substitute "Ian Holm" and "Mr. Norrell" in there and I could have written that. I never picture actors when I read but I realised about half way through JS&MN that Ian Holm was playing Norrell in my mental play. I do like the idea of David Tennant, though. He's got the right sort of . . . I don't know, attitude, I guess.

[segundus]

Having just watched 95% of the wonderful WONDERFUL comedy surreal drama, Green Wing (http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greenwing/index.html), I may just suggest than Julian Rhind-Tutt as The Gentleman? He could also play Jonathan Strange too. One of those two roles. I don't care. He's a very good character actor.

M.

[otherlander]

Will someone kill me if I say Noel Fielding could play the Gentleman? I've only seen him in "The IT Crowd" and in photos (don't shoot me because I haven't watched "The Mighty Boosh, if i could, I'd watch it), but I think he might be right.

[segundus]

I think Noel Fielding would be too outrageous for the role, given how out there he is as Vince in Boosh and even just as himself in panel shows.. but an interesting thought nonetheless.

M.

[TomTitTot]

I think Ian Holm would be okay as Mr. Norrell, but wasn't quite satisfied with him... he's a little old maybe? My favorite for him now is Toby Jones (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0429363/). For Strange I like Jack Davenport. I think Rufus Sewell has the right look for Childermass, but might make a better Raven King. I could definitely see Cilian Murphy as Lascelles. Ciaran Hinds would be perfect for the Duke of Wellington, and I can't picture Vinculus as anyone other than Filch from Harry Potter, but actually he's probably too sleazy and dumb to be Vinculus (I can't imagine 5 women agreeing to marry Filch!) I'll have to ponder some more for the rest...

[otherlander]

Hey! Welcome to the forums!

I like Toby Jones as an actor, but, as he has a very unique appearance, I don't think he's right for Norrell, who is supposed to be quite ordinary, appearance-wise. I could see Rufus Sewell as the Raven King, but not as Childermass, whom I picture being more wiry and ascetic-looking. And Cillian Murphy's otherworldly looks make him a better candidate for the Gentleman. For the part of Lascelles, I'd rather picture someone like Richard Armitage or Colin Firth.

Excellent point in Vinculus' case! I have to admit that David Bradley (aka Filch) was the first name to spring to my mind too as far as old V. was concerned. But you're right, there's no way 5 women - including a young and pretty one - would willingly marry him! So, for Vinculus we need someone who's not exactly a spring chicken, who's skinny and can pull off looking dirty and still be charming to the ladies... How about Jeremy Irons?

[segundus]

What I'd like to know is who Julian Fellowes thinks should be cast in those roles. Surely he must have had somebody in mind as he wrote the script. Something to think about if FoEM ever arranges an interview with him (and yes, I'm going to try like mad to do so!).

[otherlander]

That's a great idea, I hope you get in touch with him!

You know, I read that the people at HBO, who are going to start filming the series based on George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire", are actually reading the fan forums, looking for casting suggestions. Wouldn't it be great if the people in charge with bringing JS&MN to the big screen read our casting thread? :DAlthough, they'll probably be very confused...

So keep the casting suggestions coming, so I can bitch about them, okay?? ;)

[segundus]

Well, I'm sure New Line know about us now having got in touch with them (Ileen Maisel), but whether they'll co-operate during the production is another matter. They forced me to sign an NDA just to access the office during the pre-production of The Golden Compass, and I've heard bad things about them from the The One Ring.net guys as to how well they co-operate with fan sites, so it's going to be difficult.

I keep my eyes peeled on IP addresses that access these things, so I'll know if they've been visiting FoEM and these forums if they browse from work.. :)

[Bullfinch]

Wow!:D..I just got a chance to peek in after weeks and weeks of post-moving hell (Segundus, I totally sympathize with your recent tribulations!) and nearly fainted at the news of the script...Calloo, Callay!

As lots of you know, I've been touting Jack Davenport for Strange for eons but I did see some stills of Jonathan Rind-Tutt recently ,and thought he could look the part as well. I don't think I've actually seen him in anything yet...( And would he be well known enough to be given a titular role ???)

As for Rufus Sewell, I think he could do for Childermass, but not for the Raven King..As he ages, he's becoming more interesting looking and less outright handsome ..if you know what I mean. I can't really see him as a pale,thin handsome young man as described in the meeting with Ch....But he could very well embody the the air of mystery that surrounds Ch. for most of the book.The more I think about it, the more I like it.:rolleyes:

I've always thought David Bradley would look just too type-cast for Vinculus , but on top of that , in my obsessive piecing together of dates etc. in the novel , I've come to realize that he'd also be too old. I think V could be as young as 40-ish at the beginning of the book..I'll have to re-check...(tee hee..)

[The Colour of Heartache]

Yay scriptage!

I really like the idea of Rufus Sewell. I saw him in Rock n' Roll on Broadway last year and he was fantastic. He also played Septimus in Stoppard's Arcadia (which I did not see which makes me very sad) and Septimus has a sort of intellectual roguishness to him in a way that I could see working well for Childermass.

What about Gary Oldman? I'm not sure who for, but I picture Childermass similarly to how I picture Sirius Black so Gary Oldman popped to mind.

[Bullfinch]

Hi, C of H ..

Hmmm..I think Oldman could work . I certainly wouldn't complain if he was cast as Ch, but I think I like look of Sewell better. To me , there's something Childermassy about the cut of his jib..;)

How about James Purefoy as Lascelles..especially if they had Johnny Depp as Drawlight...I can just see them together.

[Doktor Estrella]

If they do take our casting suggestions, do we get some sort of kickback, or more likely, some sort of honorable mention? I think that it would be rather exciting to see FOEM in the fan credits :)

I still agree with Bullfinch...I'm rather ardent about Jack Davenport, but I did like Jonathan Rhind-Tutt in "Stardust." It would be interesting to see Rufus Sewell in some capacity in the film and he would be a likely Childermass if the actor who portrays Norrell is an older gentleman. (Sorry, still stuck in my championing of Kenneth Branagh for the role).

All in all, it just exciting to hear that a script has been completed; at least we know that the producers are taking it somewhat seriously.

[Crucifer]

Hey, we should demand to be in the FOEM, as extras! That'd be so cool!

[Doktor Estrella]

Wouldn't it? I think that it'd be great fun, though I wonder what scenes they could put our "motley" group in as extras :) (Though I'm entirely certain that Otherlander would love to be in one of the ballroom scenes at Lost Hope...) ;)

[Bullfinch]

:D..well... they couldn't put me at Lost Hope..too old :p.Maybe we could all be denizens of the Pineapple Ale House or pedestrians in one of the street scenes where people suddenly turn into trees,or freeze or whatever. Or in the crowd of Villagers waiting for V. to wake up.

[otherlander]

I'm entirely certain that Otherlander would love to be in one of the ballroom scenes at Lost Hope



Awww, of course I would! But they'll most likely be filming in England and there's no way they'd be looking for extras here in Hell Hole...