Casting the Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy
March 19th 2007 08:19
I recently reviewed the final part of the Farseer trilogy on this blog. For anyone who's stumbled across this and is unfamiliar with Robin Hobb's brilliant Farsser trilogy, I apologise for the obscure and self-indulgent nature of today's blog. Anyway, before I continue, here are links to reviews of the three books in the trilogy...
Royal Assassin
Assassin's Quest
Anyway, after reviewing the last of these books I got thinking about how cool it would be to see a faithful film adaptation of the trilogy. I spoke with my flatmate Marko a bit about it and we bandied about some actors we'd like to see cast in the main roles. Here's my dream cast...
Fitz - I'm at a loss as to who I would cast as the main character. As the trilogy charts roughly ten years of his life it would be neccessary to use two seperate actors (most likely) or to film the three books over a long amount of time (which probably wouldn't work as it's essential that the Fool doesn't really age throughout the three books). Anyway, I think an unknown would be best suited to playing Fitz.
Chade - John Hurt would match this role to a T as well. Hurt has the craggy features, rasping voice and that prematurely aged looked about him. He also excels at playing characters like Chade; enigmatic rogues who exist on the fringes of society.
The Fool - I can't picture anyone as the Fool except for a young Paul McGann. McGann is too old now, so I don't know. An unknown would probably be the best bet, and someone fairly androgynous.
Prince Verity - Jonathan Frakes. Yes, Riker from 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'. I realise this is the weakest and most b-grade link in my cast, but for some reason when I read the books I couldn't get the image of Frakes out of my head. George Clooney would be a more classy choice, and he'd suit it too, but I think I'd go with my gut feeling and give Frakes a shot.
Prince Regal - Jude Law. Law is a great actor and I'd love to see him play this preening, villainous character.
Molly - I'd cast Zooey Deschanel, cause she's cute and a good actress too.
Kettricken - I'm stuck for Kettricken. Don't know who I'd get to play her.
Kettle - Likewise for Kettle from the third book, some old and famous lady no doubt.
Will - Haley Joel Osment is about the right age now to play this underestimated, sleepy-eyed nemesis of Fitz.
King Shrewd - Peter O'Toole would make a great old frail and wiley king. But if he died before the books could be filmed (which is likely, he looked like he was going to die right there and then when he didn't win the Oscar this year) I'd cast Patrick McGoohan, who could bring some cunning and uncertainty to the role.
Galen - Daniel Day-Lewis would play the hell out of this treacherous dog. I doubt he'd accept the role though, but as this is all make-believe I guess that hardly matters!
Have you read these books? Who would you cast?
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Comment by Maia
Fool.... Maybe Alan Cumming?
Burrich... John Rhys-Davies
Verity.... Gerard Butler
Kettricken... Cate Blanchett or Robin Wright Penn
Molly... Evangeline Lily
Regal... Patrick Dempsey
Galen... Adrien Brody
King Shrewd... I agree with the Patrick McGoohan choice. That is perfect.
Chade... I also agree with John Hurt.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by alex gill
Burrich - ray winstone
Verity - iaon gruffud
regal - charlie hunman
Chade - jeremy irons
molly - anna friel
Fool -simon wood
Gaelan - Marton Csokas
thats the way i pictured it.
Comment by Anonymous
Burrich - A couple of years ago definately Ray Winstone. Probably a bit old now so I'd say Gerard Butler.
Verity - Vigo Mortesen would eat this up.
Regal - Jaquin Phoenix, he pratically was Regal in Galiator or the irish guy from Sunshine..
Chade - John Hurt or Anthony Hopkins or as a wild card Dustin Hoffman.
Molly - Hillary Swank
Fool - Johnny Depp
Galen - John Malkovich
Shrewd - Michael Caine
Kettricken - Uma Thurman - perfect.
Nighteyes (voice of) - would you have one? if so who?
Will - toby Macguire
Kettle - Dame Judy Dench
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Fritz - Elijah Wood (that guy who played the hobbit Frodo)
Verity - Liam Neeson (obviously!)
Burrich - Phillip Glenister (not sure if the americans will know who he is!") - bit of a wild card.
Chade - Tim Roth (from "Lie to me" and "Skellig")
Regal - Joaquin Pheonix (brill in Gladiator)
Shrewd - not really sure, most of the older actors are very good anyway and i haven't seen enough of their films to decide.
I agree with most of the above for the others - molly and Galen - and i don't think there's anyone who can pull off kettricken.
p.s. I think having a voice for nighteyes would be too cheesy I am not sure how they would do it!
Comment by Marky
There is hardly any that offer a suggestion for Nighteyes, one of the best characters in the series.
I would suggest Sean Connery or Patrick Stewart, as Nighteys is wiser than his years.
Shrewd - Christopher Lee
Verity - Viggo Mortensen
the Fool - dont think there is a actor who could play him well enough
Comment by Anonymous