Fan-Casting a Lord of the Rings Live-Action Movie Made in the 80s

[Ralif Redhammer]

So, I’ve been idly thinking about what Lord of the Rings might have looked like, had it been made in the 80s. This all got started with David Carradine in the Sword & Sorcery cheese The Warrior and The Sorceress. Back then, I think he would’ve made a great Aragorn. Weathered, but noble, and he would’ve had the physicality for the role:




From there, I’ve got Mark Hamill as Legolas, Harrison Ford as Boromir, Sandahl Bergman as Galadriel, Warwick Davis as Frodo, Phil Fondacaro as Gimli, and Gollum as a Jim Henson Co puppet. Oh, and Christopher Lee as Saruman, still. As much as he would’ve wanted to do Gandalf back then, I don’t think he’d be right for the part. No, Gandalf needs someone with the right mirth about him. And for that, I go with Sean Connery. Maybe he would’ve understood the script back then!

So, what are your thoughts for the cast of an 80s-filmed Lord of the Rings?

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I don’t think Connery would be a good Gandalf, tbh.

Christopher Lee had plenty of range to play Gandalf, he’s just so perfect for Saruman, it’s hard to pass that up.

I’d look at Alec Guinness, or Donald Sutherland.

As for the rest...

Kiefer Sutherland would be my Legolas pick; but only because I’d want someone older for Boromir.

Mandy Pantinkin (Princess Bride’s Inigo) would be my Aragorn.

That’s all I’ve got off the top of my head.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

The problem with Sean Connery is that he never disappears into the role he’s playing. It’s always just Sean Connery there. I think it might work as Gandalf, but not on the same scale of McKellan’s performance. I would go with Sutherland over Guinness. Obi-Wan already draws too much from Gandalf. Donald Sutherland would bring a gravity and grace to the role.

Indeed, Lee remains perfect as Saruman, even back then. I think we’d see a more physical performance, with him leading the armies against Helm’s Deep. A departure from the books, but back then, there’d be a ton of those.

Now Kiefer Sutherland as Legolas, that’s perfect!

I don’t think Connery would be a good Gandalf, tbh.

Christopher Lee had plenty of range to play Gandalf, he’s just so perfect for Saruman, it’s hard to pass that up.

I’d look at Alec Guinness, or Donald Sutherland.

Kiefer Sutherland would be my Legolas pick; but only because I’d want someone older for Boromir.

 

[Ryujin]

I don’t think Connery would be a good Gandalf, tbh.

Christopher Lee had plenty of range to play Gandalf, he’s just so perfect for Saruman, it’s hard to pass that up.

I’d look at Alec Guinness, or Donald Sutherland.

As for the rest...

Kiefer Sutherland would be my Legolas pick; but only because I’d want someone older for Boromir.

Mandy Pantinkin (Princess Bride’s Inigo) would be my Aragorn.

That’s all I’ve got off the top of my head.

I'd go Kurt Russel for Boromir.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

The problem with Sean Connery is that he never disappears into the role he’s playing. It’s always just Sean Connery there. I think it might work as Gandalf, but not on the same scale of McKellan’s performance. I would go with Sutherland over Guinness. Obi-Wan already draws too much from Gandalf. Donald Sutherland would bring a gravity and grace to the role.

Indeed, Lee remains perfect as Saruman, even back then. I think we’d see a more physical performance, with him leading the armies against Helm’s Deep. A departure from the books, but back then, there’d be a ton of those.

Now Kiefer Sutherland as Legolas, that’s perfect!

Great points! Sutherland is also great at the switching from gravity to silliness that Gandalf requires to be done right, and delightfully, he’s always got a hint of danger in his eyes, even when he’s being funny. Hell, even in MASH (the movie), it’s there.

And imagine that Wizard fight! Lee when he could still move, and Sutherland when he was younger! Hell yeah! There’s a reason I was hoping Sutherland would play Odin in the Thor movie, back in the day.

I'd go Kurt Russel for Boromir.

Hey that could work! Nice!

 

[Tonguez]

Its the 80s so

Michael J Fox as Frodo
Jennifer Connoly as an elf

 

[Dioltach]

In the 80s, it would have probably been a 90-minute television movie to set up the plot, followed by several series in which the Fellowship journey through a Middle Earth that looks suspiciously like southern California, pursued by the Witch King and his posse of Black Riders. Monster/villian of the week plots with only a cursory nod to what's actually supposed to be happening.

 

[Ryujin]

Its the 80s so

Michael J Fox as Frodo
Jennifer Connoly as an elf

I think that they'd have used child actors as Hobbits in the '80s, but maybe Fox for the name recognition.

Debbie Harry as Arwen.
Annie Lennox as Galadriel.
Both would sing.

 

[Janx]

Danny Glover for Gimli

Cary Elwes for Legolas.

Patrick Stewart as Gandalf

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Gary Coleman as Sam.

"Whatchu talkin' bout, Frodo?"