Casting of the present Trilogy
#1 Guest_Mike Mac From NYU_*
Posted 29 February 2004 - 02:08 AM
"Casting a movie is similar to creating a baseball team. You don't need the five greatest actors in the world, you just need an ensemble that fits the parts and can work together amongs themselves in the medium presented."
I am really split on the casting of the PT. Somed days I like it, other days I don't. I understand GL used the same procedure in casting this group as he did with the OT. But for some reason it doesn't work as well here as it did back then. Is it all because of the horrible script or the bad direction? Or is the casting really not that good. Let's see.
Ewan MacGregor as Obi-Wan: I first saw Ewan macGregor in the trainspotting movie and that he was brilliant. He had charisma, quirkiness and enough inner strength to be a leading man in Hollywood. His basic problem was his thick Scottish brogue, which he learned to suppress. Around the time trainspotting came out, rumors surrounding Episode I stated that Kenneth Branagh was considered for the role of Obi-Wan. Lucas vehemently denied this and then two years later Ewan MacGregor was named to play Obi-Wan.
The character of Obi-Wan requires an actor to match the great preformance set by the late Sir Alec Guiness. To MATVH it, not imitate it. You needed a youngish English actor who could be play the swash buckler, but also have that suprising maturity of an experienced Jedi knight {think Errol Flynn in Robin Hood}. In my opinion Kenneth Branagh would be perfect for this role, except for the fact that he is not young enough. This could be a small barrier that you could work around. In my opinion Kenneth Branaghs looks and acting style is the prototype for Obi-Wan Kenobi.
No we come to Ewan MacGregor. I gave Ewan the benefitof the doubt when it came to learning about his casting as Obi-Wan. I like othe people accepted Lucas judgement on Casting and believed it would work out brilliantly. Why didn't it?
Look at Ewan MacGregor's roles recently none of them are leading man action roles. Mostof them are actually roles where he plays unique offbeat characters.[ex. Big Fish, Moulin Rouge}. He is not an actor that exudes heroic emotion as easily as say Harrison Ford, Bogart, or Errol Flynn. He also can be stoic if not given good romantic or comedic opportunities. In short, I think Ewan does not project enough "swashbuckling" to be an effective Obi-Wan Kenobi. He just comes across as an English speaking actor playing a Jedi Knight.
[/B]Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala- For the record, I think Natalie is a very beautiful and wonderful actress. She was sensational in the Professional and Anywhere But Here. She has potential and an excellent career in front of her. Yet, she seems so friggin out of place in a Star Wars movie. Her preformance will always be compared to Carrie Fisher who did very well playing Princess Leia. Part of Natalie's problem is that her character is not well defined. Amidala's only role and purpose in Lucas script is to fall in love with Anakin and spawn Luke and Leia. Hence Natalie has to struggle to find her character's core. I guess my main problem with Natalie is that her character's speech seems so damn anachronistic. As Queen Amidala she sounds like she blends in the star Wars universe, but as Amidala she sounds like a toned down valley girl from L.A. Listen to hear lines as Padme when watching Episode I or II, it just sounds so un "Star Wars". Natalie also never really has any chemistry with anyone in the star Wars cast. Part of the reason is that she is way younger than the rest of her castmates, especially in Episode I. The only person she has chemistry with is Jake Lloyd. {Why not they are the only young, Gen-X non-English sounding people in the whole Episode I ensemble}. The last problem with Natalie is simply the fact that she was only cast because she looks a little like a Carrie Fisher. George Lucas needs to realize that it is okay if his characters don't look EXACTLY like their predecessors. I think we all could have benefitted by having Amidala look a lot less like Carrie Fisher. It would distinguish Amidala as a completely different character, not as the stereotypical Star Wars love interest.
[B]Hayden Christenson as Anakin- If there was ever a character that needed to be cast properly, Anakin is it. There was a list as long as two blocks of potential actors to play this role. The criteria for Anakin in my opinion is this-- The actor must be able to visually look like someone that COULD become Darth Vader, the actor must be able to portray a heroic individual but at the same time show a facial look that lets you know there is a darkside to him just waiting to come out. You need a good actor to play this role. Unfortunatley these where George Lucas' criteria for Anakin:
1. Must look handsome enough to attract the female viewers, sort of an "N synce' clone
2. Must be blonde and look reasonably like Mark Hamill
3. Must be able to protray a spoiled kid that can give "Saved by the Bell' type teen angst.
Well if these are your criteria, Hayden Christenson fits the bill,! I am almost positive GL saw "My Life as a House" and realized that Hayden could fit the bill. Look at that movie and look at his performance in Episode II, they are identical in tone and character. Unfortunately, Hayden's performance is appropriate for "House", it is not appropriate for a Star Wars movie.
How would you guys recast these roles? Let me know. Later on I will let you guys know my dream casting? Please guys, think the way someone would in central casting. Think seriously and practically. Think the way you would if you were given a budget and had to make these movies?
#2
Posted 29 February 2004 - 03:54 AM
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.
#3
Posted 29 February 2004 - 01:14 PM
#4
Posted 29 February 2004 - 07:08 PM
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).
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#5
Posted 01 March 2004 - 11:07 PM
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.
Yoda
#6
Posted 03 March 2004 - 11:03 AM
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.
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#7
Posted 03 March 2004 - 11:06 AM
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
#8
Posted 03 March 2004 - 11:35 AM
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.
#9
Posted 03 March 2004 - 11:44 AM
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 .
#10
Posted 03 March 2004 - 01:26 PM
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 }
#11
Posted 03 March 2004 - 06:00 PM
and she has a weak spot for tim-tams (only available in australia).
how about kiera knightly? yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!
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#12
Posted 03 March 2004 - 06:14 PM
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)
#13
Posted 03 March 2004 - 06:56 PM
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.
Yoda
#14
Posted 04 March 2004 - 12:00 AM
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).
#15
Posted 04 March 2004 - 04:46 AM
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