[civilian_number_two]

I would have cast Ewan MacGregor or Johnny Lee Miller as young Obi-Wan. Ewan is actually about the finest actor in the new trilogy. It's just that his part is terrible.

If I had bothered to create an Amidala character, I would have cast an unknown in the role, so as not to have to fight against type. Natalie Portman is ok, but nothing special (THE PROFESSIONAL, sorry, is a terrible and terribly silly movie). Her best move as an actress was turnig down the title role in LOLITA. If I had to go with a known actress, I would have aimed a little older. No reason the queen of a planet should be a teenager. Maybe Eliza Dushku. I think she could do a good job as an actress if she'd stop wearing all that black shit around her eyes. She certainly would have brought more fire (not to mention bigger breasts) to the role.

Young Anikin? Well, whichever guy I'd cast as Obi-Wan, I'd put the other guy as Anikin. So, going with Ewan for Obi-Wan, we have JLM as Anikin. I would never have allowed for the Jake Lloyd incarnation, since I think I'd have known what an embarrassing mess that was going to turn out to be.

Really, though, the dream casting game only works with things you thin are good. Like, "who would play Dr Manhattan in a film version of WATCHMEN?" Recasting a movie that would have been bad no matter who starred in it is a depressing game.

[Vwing]

I agree, McGregor's been one of the only bright spots of the trilogy, and I actually did think Neesen was pretty good, though his character was completely unnecessary. But I hate Portman, I don't care if the script sucks, good actors can come across better, and she didn't. Christensen had maybe one or two truly emotional lines, the rest were crap, but the same goes for him. But yeah, it is hard to get good casting if the rest of the movie sucks anyway.

[barend]

3. Must be able to protray a spoiled kid that can give "Saved by the Bell' type teen angst.

thank for summing that up so beautifully. I've been trying so hard to adequatley articulate my feelings on that particular aspect of his performance.

you are a credit to your academic institute! (you tell them I said so).

[Supes]

Really, though, the dream casting game only works with things you thin are good. Like, "who would play Dr Manhattan in a film version of WATCHMEN?" Recasting a movie that would have been bad no matter who starred in it is a depressing game.

Oh I would so love to see a film made of The Watchmen. Of couse Warner Bros wouldn't be able to decide on a script or director or writer and they'd have to revamp the characters to fit a modern image and then there's that depressing ending well that wont do for Hollywood.

On second though I hope WB never make this film. I'd be forced to go postal, I just know it!

I agree though Civilian it is a problem recasting a film that was written shit and directed shit and has no soul. To be honest I'd just be concentrating on what went wrong aside from the casting because (perhaps with the exception of Hayden) I feel that the cast presented could have done a sterling job with good material and good guidence.

[Chefelf]

I agree that MacGregor's performance is brilliant. Not only is he a great actor but he does a very good job at capturing the young Obi-Wan you would imagine when watching Alec Guinness.

Natalie Portman: not a great performance but having seen her in other movies I realize it's not her fault.

Hayden: again, a pretty lackluster performance but it's more to do with Lucas than him as an actor.

I don't know that I'd necessarily recast the roles. I'd rename the director, that's for sure.

[Esco]

She certainly would have brought more fire (not to mention bigger breasts) to the role.

yeah, thats all SW needs. big boobs

I can hear Lucas now: "there's still something missing
in Episode III, but I cant figure out what it is"
Rick McCallum: more boobs??
Lucas: more boobs.

This post has been edited by Esco: 03 March 2004 - 11:07 AM

[Despondent]

I don't know that I'd necessarily recast the roles.  I'd rename the director, that's for sure.

In a world where anything is possible, I'd like Lucas to go (secretly if need be) into exile. Let somebody else, Mike from NYC for example, "ghost-direct" the thing. (writers and casting agents too- any task that carries Lucas fingerprints) They would do the work, but would go under the name "George Lucas" for sake of Mr. know-it-all/screw-it-all's ego. It would be like "second Isaiah" in the fact that the tone would change with someone else's style, but the work would carry on. They could begin with episode one or seven.

[Mike Mac from NYU]

As i mentioned i am sort of on the fence when it comes to casting of the PT. When creating my redux of the PT, I started thinking that I would need to recast. Ewan macGregor could probably stay as Obi-Wan. But I do think that Amidala should be recast. I think a more better looking actress would help (not that Natalie is ugly or anything, quite the contrary) have no problem with bigger boobs on Amidala. I am s

i was kind of hoping you guys could give me some examples of recasting, though. I still think recasting the trilogy would be neccesary even if you change the script and director. I just don't think the cast works well as an ensemble. As was the case with the OT.

As a tidbit what do you guys think of Jennifer Love Hewwitt as Queen Amidala. Not the best actress in the world, but she could pull of the preformance, in my opinion. i have weak spot for her by the way .

[Mike Mac from NYU]

"

somebody else, Mike from NYC for example, "ghost-direct" the thing. (writers and casting"

I would be delighted. Can I use you as a reference, despondent .

On a serious side, It amazes me that Lucas doesn't follow the same actions that other great directors like Spielberg and Cameron have done. Spielberg has used several people to direct and write his films while just having his name placed on the finish product. I remember "SpiderMan" was originally supposed to be a baby of James cameron. But he was not planning on writing it or directing it, he was going to hire others to preform those duties. Both Spielberg and Cameron understand the need for other people input and assistance on their projects. What's puzzling is that Lucas used that same concept in Empire Strikes back and Return of the jedi, both great films. He had Larry kasdan and others create the film and just took credit for the finished project. I think it is only arrogance on Lucas part as to why he decided to captain this ship all by himself.

My dream is that someday, when I am 60 or so (I am 26 now), i can buy the rights to the Star Wars franchise and create the PT the way i and the rest of you guys envision it. Hopefully all of you guys will be around rto see it. {I hope none of you are 60 years old }

[barend]

As a tidbit what do you guys think of Jennifer Love Hewwitt as Queen Amidala. Not the best actress in the world, but she could pull of the preformance, in my opinion. i have weak spot for her by the way .

and she has a weak spot for tim-tams (only available in australia).

how about kiera knightly? yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

[Despondent]

Mike, you've got my vote.

the only reason I've not chimed until late on this topic is I hardly feel qualified to cast the thing with the actors of the day. Let's face it, the big names you see all the time would just be wrong and I'm just not the filmgoer I ought to be.

so here is a totally worthless list of suggestions. (quick and dirty, as per my average post)
in no particular order:

Amidala- Trixie, from Speed Racer

JarJar- Spritle, also from SR

Obi Wan- Derek Smalls, from This Is Spinal Tap

Qui Gon- the Professor from Giligan's Island

Annikan- Eddie Haskell from Leave it to Beaver

Mace W- Alex Trebec or Dennis Haysbert (the president on 24)

[Supes]

As a tidbit what do you guys think of Jennifer Love Hewwitt as Queen Amidala. Not the best actress in the world, but she could pull of the preformance, in my opinion. i have weak spot for her by the way .

Well if you are going to cast a Jennifer as Amidala then look no further than Jennifer Connelly. She should fit most people's varied criteria:

1. Great actress.
2. Great looking - I could fall in love with her again.
3. Has boobs.
4. Doesn't look 12 years old.

[Paladin]

My dream is that someday, when I am 60 or so (I am 26 now), i can buy the rights to the Star Wars franchise and create the PT the way i and the rest of you guys envision it. Hopefully all of you guys will be around rto see it. {I hope none of you are 60 years old  }

I'll be 54 when that happens (yes, I AM confident that you'll get the franchise )

I don't really know any of the actors, and I hardly ever watch movies to begin with. I never heard of Ewan MacGregor before the Prequels, and not Natalie Portman, Heyden or any other of the cast. In fact, apart from the OT, I never watched any other movie with Mark Hamill, or Carrie Fisher in it (Harrison Ford: I have, but not much).

[JamesEightBitStar]

Honestly guys, I think casting is one of the most over-analyzed aspects of films--I find that, in the end, it really just doesn't matter. When I watch Indiana Jones, I don't go "Hey, that's Harrison Ford, the guy who played Han Solo!" I only see Indiana Jones, the archeologist.

One thing my mom does that annoys me, is when she's trying to get me hooked on a movie, she'll start naming who'se in it. Half the time I haven't even heard of anyone she names, or even seen or cared about other shows they've been in. I don't judge a book by it's author--wether I'm interested or not is determined solely by it's characters and concept. To me movies are the same thing. You can criticize the casting of Episodes I and II all you want, but the fact is that even if you had Anakin being played by Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Obi-Wan being played by Jim Varney, the movies would be pretty much the same--it's the script that needs to change, not the actors.

But Mike Mac, If you DO get the rights to Star Wars, then I'd love to see it... it'll probably be my last great happiness in life (I'm twenty now).

This post has been edited by JamesEightBitStar: 04 March 2004 - 04:52 AM