Who was originally cast as Aragorn?

[ColonelHardisson]

The thing is, as others have pointed out, it seems like Grima is too...villainous looking. I like Brad Dourif, but I guess I've seen him in so many roles where he plays a craven or sinister or simply insane character that it seems like the casting of him for Wormtongue was typecasting. It would have been more interesting had he been someone you naturally want to trust, or someone who was very magnetic. Apparently he had to have those qualities, since Theoden fell under his sway, and Theoden wasn't a dummy. He comes off that way in the book initially mostly because we see him through the eyes of Eomer and Eowyn, who have seen through his lies. I'm not saying it was horrible casting, just that it would have been interesting to see Dourif play against type if he was going to be in this film anyway. Heck, maybe even as Elrond (which I also thought was well-cast; I'm just thinking out loud). He has an odd, otherworldy air about him, and it's hard to place his age. Of course, one could rationalize that Grima was, indeed, as magnetic as he must have been to influence Theoden some time back, and descended gradually into how he looks in the film.

I think Walken is still very capable of giving strong performances. He just hasn't been cast in much of anything good lately.

 

[Mark]

Of course, one could rationalize that Grima was, indeed, as magnetic as he must have been to influence Theoden some time back, and descended gradually into how he looks in the film.

I think Walken is still very capable of giving strong performances. He just hasn't been cast in much of anything good lately.

I must agree on both counts here.

I'm not all that familiar with his previous work, so my first instinct on seeing him wasn't regarding anything he had previously done.

Walken is very capable, and we haven't seen him utilized to his potential (IMO), but let's also consider that he will always have that Jersey Accent no matter what he does. There are some accents that will pass in fantasy films (and, as an aside, in Shakespeare) and there are some accents that will take the audience out of the moment no matter how good the actor.

 

[jdavis]

OK, I may just do that. There's one other thing I've seen him in (besides Dune, ST:TNG, and X-Men), but I can't remember what it is.

I'm visiting relatives for Christmas, so some rentals may be in order, what with all the free time.

Patric Stewart was in Excalibur. He is a very accomplished actor who is suffering from the Star Trek curse. Not to say that Shatner or Nemoy were good actors but talk about being typecast.

Sean Connery is a very good actor when he chooses to be (which hasn't been very often lately). The problem with Connery is that he has a tendency to play every role as Sean Connery instead of acting out a character. He also has a tendency to walk through roles without actually putting a effort into acting (Highlander 2 for example, of course you can't hold that one against him). The big thing about Connery (along with some of the other actors/actresses mentioned) is the huge price tag they have. They did a wonderful job casting with a budget.

 

[ninthcouncil]

Ethan Hawke as Faramir
Uma Thurman as Galadriel

Thurman as Eowyn, actually. This was more than just a rumour, but UT pulled out and Ethan, being Mr Uma, went with her. Not sure this wasn't a good thing - I've got nothing against the lovely Uma, but she's a bit ethereal to make a good Saxon (sorry, Rohirrim) warrior lass, and Ethan also strikes me as a bit wet for a Captain of Gondor.

 

[Assenpfeffer]

Y'know who I would cast as Wormtongue? Christopher Walken. Think about it a while.

My choice was Rowan Atkinson.

Tom Bombadil is a tough one. Nathan Lane, off the top of my head.

Brian Blessed.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

My choice was Rowan Atkinson.



Brian Blessed.

Interesting choices. I'll think about 'em a while.

 

[ninthcouncil]

Brian Blessed.

Funnily enough, 25 years ago when I first read LotR, Brian Blessed was how I imagined Borimir

 

[rgard]

I've enjoyed all of the differents posts on who could have/would have/should have played whomever.

Brian Blessed could have played Gimli well.

My friends and I narrowed down (yep, fantasy fan dreaming) the Gandalf role to Sean Connery or Sam Neil.

Also, we would never had thought of Sean Bean as Boromir (always thought he was a bit beefier as somebody else said), but Sean carries the role so very well.

Of course we haven't seen the RotK yet, but I do believe PJ has hit this perfectly from the casting to the special effects, to the location to the very clever idea of filming all in one fell swoop.

I'm a happy LotR camper.

 

[rgard]

Beyond the casting, has anybody been surprised by any of the special effects critters or scenes/back drops?

Only 2 from TTT surprised me:

1. The oliphants and their 4 tusks and immense size.
2. The worgs. They seemed abit hyena like...less wolf-like than I expected.

Don't get me wrong...I am thrilled with the portrayal, but both were slightly different than I expected.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Greybar]

The question is - could Sean Connery have properly delivered the now-immortal screen line: "YOU... SHALL NOT... PASS!"

This is my absolutely favorite line from Fellowship. It has a wonderful desperation and dedication all at the same time. He doesn't know if he can beat the Balrog. "There are things against which I have not been tested."

His performance as Gandalf is now burned in my memory. I'll add to the chorus: He *is* Gandalf.

John