dramaturgy | (no subject)

Okay, first things first. This is for

picspammy's casting challenge. I was going to do ASOIAF since that's my current obsession, but someone beat me to it and no sense in beating a dead horse, am I right? (Although I might do it anyway, because it's better than looking at grad schools, right? Right? >_>)

I've come to terms that this dream casting will never, ever happen, and each of these people would not necessarily be taken at the place where they are in their career now. I also think that if a movie/miniseries (do it BBC, please?) then a lot of unknowns would be involved, and I am very comfortable with that. There are a lot of talented people out there, but these are people who I believe not only fit the parts looks wise (or with some slight tweaks -- coloring hair, building bodies, etc) but would be talented enough to carry it off. Obviously, some characters (such as Claire and Jamie) I would prefer to keep the same actor from beginning to end and that could theoretically be done -- not only with make up and camera tricks, but also in the acting.

Anyway. Here's my Outlander dream cast. Contains some minor spoilers for the series (there are so many twists and turns involved that I really do find these minor), but if you're interested in looking it's likely that you already know what happens anyway.

"What's your name, lass?" His voice was light for a man of his size, not the deep bass I would have expected from the barrel chest.
"Claire... Claire Beauchamp," I said, deciding on the spur of the moment to use my maiden name. If it were ransom they had in mind, I didn't want to help them by giving a name that could lead to Frank. And I wasn't sure I wanted these rough-looking men to know who I was, before I found out who they were. "And just what do you think you're -- " The dark man ignored me, establishing a pattern that I was to grow tired of very quickly.
"Beauchamp?" The heavy brows lifted and the general company stirred in surprise. "A French name, it is, surely?"
-- Outlander --

Why I Like Her: First, I love Rachel Weisz in everything that I've seen her in. My favorite is probably The Constant Gardener and while that part isn't particularly Claireish, she's done a bit of everything which Outlander is. She's done period, a romance, action... dude. She can do it. Not to mention she's gorgeous, and I think she sounds like Claire. To me, anyway. When I hear Claire, it's in Rachel Weisz's voice.

I turned to Jamie in sudden panic. "I can't marry you! I don't even know your last name!"
He looked down at me and cocked a ruddy eyebrow. "Oh. It's Fraser. James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser."
-- Outlander --

Why I Like Him: I honestly, honestly believe that if there is a Jamie out there, he is as of right now an unknown who is toiling away in some fancy restaurant in London or Los Angeles trying to make it. No matter who would theoretically eventually be cast as Jamie, not everyone would be pleased, so I just made a decision to go with Simon Woods. I know that a lot of people lo-o-o-o-ove Gerard Butler and believe me, my loins burn for him, but he's just never really been Jamie for me. He'd probably have to build up a bit to get there -- not a lot, mind, just a bit more muscley. Mm. Muscles... Okay, I'm back. >_>

"What's the name of that six-times-great-grandfather of yours again?" I asked. "The one who mucked about here during one of the Risings? I can't remember if it was Willy or Walter."
"Actually, it was Jonathan." Frank took my complete disinterest in family history placidly, but remained always on guard, ready to seize the slightest expression of inquisitiveness as an excuse for telling me all facts known to date about the early Randalls and their connections. His eyes assumed the fervid gleam of the fanatic lecturer as he buttoned his shirt.
-- Outlander --

Why I Like Him: How much do you love Alexis Denisof? (The answer to that question is "Not as much as Liz does," but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say that you almost do.) Obviously whoever plays Frank also has to play Black Jack Randall, and I think that Alexis can do them both. I think all of the qualities necessary were seen in his most famous role, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. First, he does a pretty good accent. He can do the stuffy, stereotypical British behavior and academic enthusiasm seen in Frank, but... well, does anyone else remember that episode of Angel in the third season where he temporarily went, "homicidally misogynystic" (to quote wikipedia) and ran around the hotel trying to kill Fred? Yeah. Black Jack Randall all the way. It freaked me the hell out.

"Well, if you don't believe I am who I say, who in bloody hell do you think I am?" I demanded.
He blinked, taken aback by my language, then the sharp-cut features firmed again.
"That," he said, "remains to be seen. In the meantime, mistress, you're a welcome guest at Leoch." He raised a hand in gracious dismissal, and the attendant near the door came forward, obviously to escort me back to my quarters.
Colum didn't say the next words, but he might as well have. They hung in the air behind me as clearly as though spoken, as I walked away:
"Until I find out who you really are."
-- Outlander --

Why I Like Him: Honestly, I could have put a lot of people in here... but I want Kevin McKidd in the movie and he can do it. It'd be interesting to see him in a role that's not so much physical, like he did in Rome, but more... hm, intellectual? Maybe that's not the right word. The acting is more cerebral than having to do stunts and whatever, like his role in Trainspotting or 16 Years of Alcohol. And he's Scottish to boot, look at that. Mostly I want to see if film can survive having him and Liam Neeson in the same frame. Theoretically, I think it can be done. But I can't prove it.

Dougal turned as though noticing me for the first time.
"No?" he said, mouth curling in amusement. "Why not? Have ye an objection to loyal subjects contributing their mite in support of their sovereign?"
"None," I said, meeting his stare. "No matter which sovereign it is. It's your collection methods that I don't care for."
Dougal studied me carefully, as though my features might tell him something. "No matter which sovereign it is?" he repeated softly. "I thought you had no Gaelic."
"I haven't," I said shortly. "But I've the sense I was born with, and two ears in good working order. And whatever 'King George's health' may be in Gaelic, I doubt very much that it sounds like 'Bragh Stuart'."
He tossed back his head and laughed. "That it doesna," he agreed. "I'd tell ye the proper Gaelic for your liege lord and ruler, but it isna a word suitable for the lips of a lady, Sassenach or no."
-- Outlander --

Why I Like Him: You have to ask? He's Liam Fucking Neeson. He'll kick your ass into next week, and then come find you and tell you about it. He kicks ass, period. He played Qui-Gon Jinn who, in the words of Weird Al, told Yoda -- Yoda -- to "stick it in [his] pointy ear." He took Anakin off Tatooine, so BASICALLY he's responsible for the whole of Star Wars. He's also played Michael Collins who was no shortage of kickass himself, as well as Rob Roy, wherein he spanked Tim Roth heartily. And he voiced Aslan in the Narnia movies. That's right. Liam Neeson is Jesus. Not to mention, before he was an actor, he was a national boxing champion. Let that all sink in for a minute.

Murtagh, who had not joined in the laughter, was frowning as he looked me over. He shook his head, making the lank fringe across his forehead sway.
"Nay," he said definitely. "I've no idea what she might be -- or who -- but I'll stake my best shirt she's no whore." I hoped in that case that his best was not the one he was wearing, which scarcely looked worth the wagering.
"Weel, ye'd know, Murtagh, ye've seen enough o' them," gibed Rupert.
-- Outlander --

Why I Like Him: I wasn't even sure that I was going to cast Murtagh, but I decided that it had to be done. I adore Murtagh, and the thing about him is that he doesn't talk much, he's usually hanging out in the background waiting to see if he's going to need to cut a bitch or not. For this, I love him. Anyway, Murtagh needs an actor who has gravitas, presence, if you will... and I think that Robert Carlyle can do it.

She looked at me with an expression of exasperated patience. "To get rid of a child ye don't want, I mean. It brings on your flux, but only if ye use it early. Too late, and it can kill you as well as the child."
"You seem to know a lot about it," I remarked, still stung by having appeared stupid.
"A bit. The girls in the village come to me now and again for such things, and sometimes the married women too. They say I'm a witch," she said, widening her brilliant eyes in feigned astonishment. She grinned. "But my husband's the procurator fiscal for the district, so they don't say it too loud."
-- Outlander --

Why I Like Her: I admit, half of the reason for this casting is that the idea of the White Witch getting it on with Aslan amuses me, as does sending C.S. Lewis into circles in his grave. Anyway, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe showed us that she can go from calm to crazy on a dime, and I think that's the kind of person that Geillis has to be. Friendly and warm, but also the sort of person who can poison their husband. She's kind of awesome. And look at those green eyes!

"I'm Ian Murray, Jenny's husband. And I imagine ye'll be... ah..."
"The Sassenach wench Jamie's married," I finished for him. "My name is Claire. Did you know about it, then?" I asked, as he laughed. My mind was racing. Jenny's husband?
"Oh, aye. We heard from Joe Orr, who'd got it from a tinker in Ardraigh. Ye canna keep anything secret long in the Highlands. You should know that, even if you've been wed but a few months. Jenny's been wondering for weeks what you'd be like."
"Whore!" Jamie bellowed from inside the house. Jenny's husband didn't turn a hair, but went on examining me with friendly curiosity.
-- Outlander --

Why I Like Him: Because I love the Welsh. And there is no finer Welshman out there. (Well, okay, maybe Christian Bale, because. Batman.) Ian was kind of hard to cast because of how I imagine him, but I think Ioan could do it. He's kind of gorgeous too. ~~AND WELSH.~~ >_> I love him in Amazing Grace, and Horatio Hornblower has been on my to watch list forever. He's very yay in period pieces, I liked him a lot more in Amazing Grace than I did in, oh... Fantastic Four.

She was smaller than I had expected. With a brother like Jamie, I had imagined her at least my height, or even taller, her back was to us as she reached for something on the shelf of the china cabinet, and the ends of her dress sash dipped close to the floor.
Jamie froze when he saw her.
"Jenny," he said.
The woman turned and I caught an impression of brows black as ink, and blue eyes wide in a white face before she launched herself at her brother.
"Jamie!" Small as she was, she jarred him with the impact of her embrace. His arms went bout her shoulders in reflex and they clung for a moment, her face tight against his shirtfront, his hand tender on the nape of her neck. On his face was an expression fo such mingled uncertainty and yearning joy that I felt almost an intruder.
-- Outlander --

Why I Like Her: Generally I am of the opinion that Anne Boleyn got what was coming to her and I find it hard to sympathize with her, but she was the Best. Anne. Ever. I LOVE her, and I think she would make an awesome Jenny. She has the eyes, which I believe was the BFD as far as resemblence between her and Jamie went. She can be sweet but she can rage too, which... well. Frasers. XD

"Pleased to meet you," she said, undaunted. She extended a hand to him, leaning from her saddle. "I'm your cousin."
The brows, which had come down during the introductions, popped back up. He looked at her extended hand, then, incredulously, at her face.
"Jamie Fraser is my father," she said.
His jaw dropped, and he simply goggled at her for a moment. He looked her over minutely, head to toe, peered closely at her face, and then a wide, slow smile spread across his own.
"Damned if he isn't!" he said. He seized her hand and squeezed it tight enough to grind the bones together. "Christ, you've the look of him!"
He laughed, humor transforming his face.
"Jesus!" he said. "My mother will have kittens!"
-- Drums of Autumn --

Why I Like Her: I know that she doesn't have the ZOMG EYES and probably not the prodigious height either, I'm not sure how tall Kate Mara is, but I'm not totally concerned. I like her a lot, how she is in the right picture with the kind of curly hair is how I imagine Brianna. Not to mention, I believe that one of the big deals made about her is that she resembles Jamie's mother, so I think they can make it work. She's gorgeous, too.

"Seas ri mo lamh, Roger an t'oranaiche, mac Jeremiah MacChoinnich!" Stand by my hand, Roger the singer, son of Jeremiah MacKenzie. Roger stood stock-still for a moment, eyes dark on Jamie, then moved toward him, like one sleepwalking. The crowd was still excited, but the shouting had died down, and people craned to hear what was said.
"Stand by me in battle," he said in Gaelic, his eyes fixed on Roger, left hand extended. He spoke slowly and clearly, to be sure of understanding. "Be a shield for my family -- and for yours, son of my house."
Roger's expression seemed suddenly to dissolve, like a face seen in water when a stone is tossed into it. Then it solidified once more, and he clasped Jamie's hand, squeezing hard.
-- The Fiery Cross --

Why I Like Him: 1. He's Scottish. 2. He's a musician as well as a very, very talented actor. 3. ... Do I really need to say more? He acts wonderfully not only in English, but Italian as well (see Canone Inverso). He's played Yuri Zhivago in 2002's adaptation opposite Keira Knightly, and for my money, he is a total scene stealer in whatever he's doing. In a good way. If there is such a thing as being a scene stealer in a good way.

"Are you looking for Madame Jeanne?" I managed to put in, seizing a small pause when he stopped to draw breath for more invective. The visitor was a young man of about thirty, slightly built and strikingly handsome, with thick black hair and brows. He glared at me under these, and as he got a good look at me, an extraordinary change went across his face.
"Milady!" he exclaimed, and flung himself on his knees, embracing me about the thighs as he pressed his face into the cotton shift at crotch level.
"Let go!" I exclaimed, shoving at his shoulders to detach him. "I don't work here. Let go, I say!"
"Milady!" he was repeating in tones of rapture. "Milady! You have come back! A miracle! God has restored you!"
-- Voyager --

Why I Like Him: I. Love. Ben Whishaw. He's played Treplyev in The Seagull and Hamlet for the Old Vic. I think that he can be Fergus because he's got kind of a mischievous grin (see left picture), and he also could bring the sense of tragedy that, to me, kind of follows Fergus around for the entire series without making it something he wallows in, because Fergus does not. This culminates with his, ah, bad behavior in A Breath of Snow and Ashes, which I think he can treat with a degree of sympathy. Not to mention I think he'd look awesome with a hook. He's damn talented, and if you don't believe that he can make a bad situation sympathetic, watch him in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. Go ahead, I'll wait.

The boy's expression hardened at hearing his act described as foolish. Jamie dabbed at his neck, then inspected the handkerchief critically.
"If you're tryin' to kill someone from behind, laddie, pick a man who's not sitting in a pile of dry leaves," he advised. "And if you're using a knife on someone larger than you, pick a surer spot; throat-cutting's chancy unless your victim will sit still for ye."
"Thank you for the valuable advice," the boy sneered. He was doing a fair job at maintaniing his bravado, though his eyes flicked nervously from one threatening, whiskered face to another. None of the Highlanders would have won any beauty prizes in broad daylight; by night, they weren't the sort of thing you wanted to meet in a dark place.
-- Dragonfly in Amber --

Why I Like Him: John was another hard one because of how I imagine him. I have no idea of Alex Pettyfer is a talented actor or just damn pretty, but... for our purposes, it doesn't really matter, does it? >_> He looks young, but keep in mind that Lord John is pretty young himself when we meet him -- sixteen around the time of the Battle of Culloden, if I'm not mistaken. But yes. Pretty and age appropriate was the main objective here.

"Going to live, are ye, ye wee bugger?" [Ian] demanded.
"Aye, sir," Young Ian replied in a dismal croak, looking rather as though he wished the answer were "No."
"Good," his father said grimly. "D'ye want to explain yourself, or shall I just belt the hell out of ye now and save us both the time?"
"Ye canna thrash someone who's just had his eyebrows burnt off, Ian," Jamie protested hoarsely, pouring out a glass of porter from the decanter on the table. "It wouldna be humane." He grinned at his nephew and handed him the glass, which the boy clutched with alacrity.
-- Voyager --

Why I Like Him: Okay, Wee Ian was the last one I cast because there was NO ONE who was cutting it for me. Wee Ian needs to be gangly and with a grin. So I went where most sages go when they are in need of wisdom: YouTube. There are an assload of Outlander casting videos there, and I found this guy on one of them. I saw that hair (I know, not very historically accurate but work with me here) and that smile and I knew that I wouldn't find a better Ian. He was in Finding Neverland, and I don't remember much of that movie except that I like it.

As we came around a corner of the hallway I saw one face that seemed a good deal friendlier than the rest. It was the girl Laoghaire, face shining and radiant as she heard Jamie's voice. Her eyes grew wide and the rosebud mouth dropped unbecomingly open, though, as she saw what he carried.
-- Outlander --

Why I Like Her: Sophia seems to be a popular choice for Laoghaire and really... I don't care much for Laoghaire myself. XD But she fulfills all the requirements: blonde, beautiful, and she looks like she could be scheming to steal your husband away from you while charming everyone else, aye? Of course she does.

Jamie looked at her for a long moment, eyes fixed on hers, reading her face. She was very young.
"You're sure then, lassie?" he said at last, very gently. "Ye want this?"
She took a deep breath, a glow spreading over her face.
"I am, Da. I truly am. I want Fergus! I love him!"
Jamie hesitated a moment, then rubbed a hand through his hair and nodded.
"Aye, then. Go and send Mr. Stern to me, then fetch Fergus and tell him to make ready."
"Oh, Da! Thank you, thank you!" Marsali flung herself at him and kissed him.
-- Voyager --

Why I Like Her: Georgia Moffett is damn cute. I just grin when I think of her being Marsali, she has a young, fresh quality that Marsali requires -- I'm not sure that she looks young enough next to Ben Whishaw since there's a fifteen year age difference between Fergus and Marsali. >_> But. LOOK AT HER, she's adorable. You want to snap Fergus's neck already, don't you? (Fun fact: Sophia Myles used to date David Tennant and Georgia Moffett is now dating him. Given how much Who I've been watching lately, I'm surprised that David didn't end up on this list somewhere.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

>_> *refrains from making unkind comments about Brianna*

lol I knew I could count on you. :P

omg omg omg I LOOOVE this picspam, you made great choices :D

You should be the casting director. Or both of us really, because I imagine 3/4ths of the people here as the characters and the rest I totally agree with you on, haha. Liam Neeson would pretty much own as Dougal! And Kevin McKidd, isn't he the new doctor on Grey's? I agree with you completely on Natalie Dormer! I'm one of those geeky history people that love the story of Anne, but don't exactly like her as a person. Regardless, I don't think she deserved everything she got, but I digress (that's a whole 'nother discussion!). But Natalie was basically the only reason I watched the Tudors (I also liked all the pretty, JRM included)! I don't know if I can bear the next season without Anne though. Any mention of Jane Seymour, historical or fictional, bores me to tears. Catherine Howard will be pretty lulzy if they make it that far. I just realized I've turned this into a Tudors discussion. Oops! Anywho, great casting!

lol Let's do it, there's no way they could hire better than us.

Kevin McKidd is the new doctor on Grey's and I am quickly growing to love him, but I loved him in Rome so that's not that much of a surprise.

Is Rome good? I keep meaning to get around to watching it. I've started keeping a list of stuff I want to watch because I'll totally forget about it otherwise :D

It's wonderful. It's very gritty, dramatic, and well-acted. And just bloody cool.

This is all kinds of epic and I love you - I am currently reading the books for the first time (have already read Outlander twice and I am just half-way through Voyager).. but your casting is just OMG. YES PLEASE.
Ben Whishaw is a stroke of genius there and OMG. LIAM FUCKING NEESON.

I AGREE. WITH ALL. OMG.

And Simon Woods would be so, so good - I have thought about him in the role already and yes, he would have to bulk up a bit and do the accent but you know, I think he could grow enough as an actor to do the full Jamie, you can already see his charm in P&P and Cranford, with all the ladies after him so.. yes, please.

Oh, I was definitely ready to jump Simon Woods after Cranford. XD

Thanks!

I really loved your casting choices! Rachel Weisz would really be fantastic as Claire, and I heartily approve of your other decisions. This was a great picspam!

Love your casting choices!

*g* I read this going "Okay, yes, yes, sure, yes, yes..." and so on, and then I reached the end and simply went "squee!" because Georgia Moffett is fricking adorable, and since Marsali is one of my favourite characters I'm much enamoured by the idea.

:D I love both Georgia Moffett and Marsali too, I think they'd be perfect.