Casting Terry Pratchett films

Subject: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 03:06 PM

A post on the Russel Crowe thread suggested he'd make a good Vimes; I thought he was more like Carrot. But this gives me an idea: Whom would you cast in some of the most memorable Pratchett roles? Here is a starter:

Commander Vimes
Captain Carrot
Corporal Nobby Nobbs
Sergeant Colon
Sergeant Detritus
Lord Vetinari
Moist van Lipswig
CMOT Dibbler
Igor
DEATH
Mort
The Librarian
Ponder Stibbons
Rincewind

...and...

Granny Weatherwax
Nanny Ogg
Magrat
Tiffany Aching
Mrs Cake
Ysabell (Death's stepdaughter)

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 03:07 PM

Hit "enter" too soon - could a kind Mudelf move to BS please....

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 03:14 PM

Captain Carrot - why Jasper Carrott of course
Corporal Nobby Nobbs - Nobby Stiles
The Librarian - John Conolly
Moist van Lipswig - George Papavgeris :-)

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 03:18 PM

CMOT must be George Cole in Arthur Daley mode:-)

Lord Vetenari - Alan Rickman`

Nanny Ogg - Pam Ferris (or, giving it a folky flavour, how about Norma Waterson;-) )

Death's voice could be none other than Christopher Lee

Simon Pegg could make a good Rincewind (Or Jasper Carrot in his younger days!)

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 03:46 PM

Whoever plays the librarian will have to wear an orang-utan suit, so we're just talking about the voice, really..... who sounds good saying ook?

Kitty

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 04:05 PM

Dunno - I think maybe Wayne Rooney could do it...

:D

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Anne Lister
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 04:28 PM

Rincewind - Mackenzie Crook, without a doubt.
Vimes - John Simm
Totally agree that Vetinari should be Rickman.
CMOT - David Tennant


Anne

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 04:57 PM

Inspired idea for a thread!

Yes, George Cole for CMOT Dibbler. Or maybe Dirty Den.

I assume we are allowed a time machine, so as to cast people from the past, or at prevous ages.

Alan Rickman is quite wrong for Vetinari, much too overtly sinister but with an air of a bungler about him which Vetinari is not. It would be a nice role for the young Leslie Phillips, a chance to play intelligence rather than folly, and the voice would work well. How about Peter Bowles?

Ysabell I think the young Fenella Fielding.

Nobby Nobbs could be Arthur Askey, or Charlie Drake, or Norman Wisdom.

I quite like the idea of Jackie Chan as Rincewind.

I think Detritus has to be Sylvester Stallone.

Igor is Baldrick!

I may be back with more thoughts on this....



Who will do Gaspode's voice?

Old Steptoe for Cohen the Barbarian.

Nanny Ogg is Irene Handle to the life.

Sergent Colon - Mike Read (the East Enders one)

Captain Carrot - the bloke who played the Russian boxer who lost in Rocky - playing way against type.

Magrat I think is Una Stubbs - she really could act.

Vimes is difficult, there has to be the big streak of street in him, yet the obsessive virtue.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 06:07 PM

I see Vimes played by Bob Hoskins... don't ask why, I just do.

LTS

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 06:28 PM

If I'd ever got past chapter one of volume one, I might have some idea of what you're talking about.

Same thing happened with 'Harry Potter'. I've seen a couple of the films on telly - they were OK but also sort of persuaded me that I hadn't missed much in not reading the books. I suspect that the same could be true of Terry Pratchett.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 06:34 PM

As Lord Vetinari, nobody can beat Ian Richardson (Francis Urquhart in House of Cards) for my money.

Why not Alan Rickman for Vimes? He could swing it.

Detritus just has to be Arnold Schwarzenegger.

A young Rita Tushingham for Ysabell?
Robert Carlyle or Ewan McGregor for Mort.
Death could be Vincent Price.

Rincewind is Charles Hawtrey (the weakling in the Carry On films)

And CMOT Dibbler, surely, is Sid James!

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 06:38 PM

Chalk and cheese, Shimrod. The Harry Potter stories are for kids. The Terry Pratchett ones began masquerading as such, but they were always for adults. The pretense has been dropped now.

Harry Potter stories are about adventure. Terry Pratchet stories are about biting humour, taking the piss of everything and everyone that catches his attention, from mathematicians to filmmakers to police to religious fanatics, to ordinary folks' little quirks.

Rawlings made the millions, but Pratchet wrote the classics.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Anne Lister
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 07:44 PM

I enjoy both Harry Potter and Pratchett (and Philip Pullman - and Ursula le Guin - and Dorothy Dunnett - and lots more besides). The great thing about music and literature is you don't have to choose just one writer to love. But it seems odd to join a thread about casting novels which you haven't read!

In terms of living actors, I'm sticking to Rickman as Vetinari. He hasn't got a bungling bone in his body (apart from the Die Hard villain) and he can act anyone else off the stage. I'm basing this comment on watching him in action in the film studio (as Snape) in comparison with Kenneth Branagh and anyone else around - the man has krisma!

Anne

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 07:57 PM

Couple of good ones there George. Sid James - love it! David Jason could do it too (remember him in Porterhouse Blue"?). Likewise Richardson for Vetinari. Must blow the rest out of the water.

But, no, Schwarzeneger is too capable for Detritus. It has to be Stallone. Schwarzenegger can be the bad werewolf in the one about the fat meteor.

I'm not sure we've got Carrot right yet. Who was the good bodybuilder in "A kid for two farthings"?

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: HuwG
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 07:58 PM

Corporal Nobby Nobbs would have to be played by Andy "Gollum" Serkis, though the images would have to be a little less benign. Only Rickman could be Vetinari - I recall seeing him play the Reverand Obadiah Slope in the BBC adaptation of Trollope's "The Warden" and "Barchester Towers", and have never seen anything quite so machiavellian.

Christopher Lee has voiced "Death" several times.

My other recommendations: Timothy West for Sergeant Fred Colon, and his wife Prunella Scales (with a bit of padding) for Lady Vimes (nee Ramkin).

See Internet Movie Database for cast list for "Hogfather", see what the industry has already come up with.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 07:58 PM

Vimes! I have it! Alec Guinness (if he could lose the RADA accent) - imagine his flawed conscience from the "Bridge over the River Kwai"!

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 08:02 PM

Mort is wotsisname from Some Mothers do 'ave 'em - Frank Spencer (character)

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 08:04 PM

Lady Vimes - Geraldine James

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 08:13 PM

Been on IMdB - David Jason is good as Albert, too.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: folk1e
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 08:58 PM

They are in the process of making the second Pratchet film (can't remember which at the moment)
How about Tony Blair as CMT Dibbler,
or following the political theme how about Prescot as either the Librarian (no speaking) or Detrius (little speaking).
Jeramy Paxman would be a good Vetinari and Billy Piper could play Anguna, carrots love interest/ Weirwolf.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Fred Maslan
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 09:00 PM

If we can take actors from the past then Lynn Redgrave from the 60's for Sybil Vimes. I see Rickman an too big for Vetinari although he could probably pull it off. And Andy Serkis would be perfect for the Librarian, though if I were him I would resist the typecasting. I still would go for Russel Crowe for vimes.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: The Walrus
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 10:24 PM

Just a few suggestions - unfortunately several are dead or, by now, too old.

Voice of DEATH - Christopher Lee (or Valentine Dyall)
Vimes - Clint Eastwood (in Dirty Harry mode) has been suggested eleswhere
Carrott - Dolf lungren has the build but not the charisma
Nobby Nobbs - Russell Hunter (the bloke who played 'Lonely' in the series 'Callan - for those old enough to remember)
The ArchChancellor of UU - Brian Blessed (Comes complete with own beard and bellow)
Bursar - Alan Bennett
Dibler - I think Sid James could carry it off
Colon - Bill Fraser
Magrat - Jan Horrocks ('Bubble' in Ab Fab)
Rincewind - Rowan Atkinson
Nanny Ogg - Joan Sims
Voice of Gaspode - Jon Culshaw
"...Been on IMdB - David Jason is good as Albert, too..."
I've always seen Albert as Wilfred Bramble (Albert Steptoe)

Walrus

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 10:26 PM

Billy Bob Thornton as The Luggage

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Sooz
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 03:32 AM

I want to be Granny Weatherwax!

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 03:37 AM

Can't blame you, if I wasn't a bloke I would want to be her! Spunky lady.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Rasener
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 04:18 AM

Oh no Anything but Sooz being Granny Weatherwax :-)

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 04:21 AM

Granny Weatherwax is a very hard one to cast - there has to be the power, but without grandeur, and the tragedy of her unconsummated love in her youth for Mustrum Ridcully. Glenda Jackson or Helen Mirren? Maybe Vanessa Redgrave (again, if she can lose the RADA accent).

No, George, you don't want to be her, she's a virgin remember?

Maybe Daryl Hannah for Angua.

LTS for Perdita?

And Twoflower? If you don't like Jackie Chan for Rincewind, how about him for Twoflower?

And you can't have Wilfred Bramble for Albert, he is Cohen the Barbarian to the life.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 04:30 AM

You want me to be Perdita? I wonder why that could be?

(smirk)

LTS

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 05:27 AM

How about Magrat, LTS?
WOW, inspiration: Kenneth Williams for Death Of Rats.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:29 AM

Actually, now I think of it, the Muscles from Brussels for the bad boy werewolf,

Schwarzenegger for Chrysoprase.

It's the (alleged) voice, LTS...

Felicity Kendall for Cheery Littlebottom

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Ernest
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:34 AM

Margaret Rutherford for Granny Weatherwax - or rather Nanny Ogg?

Hard to deceide...

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:25 AM

Funny, something ate a post.

Mr Teatime - is it Stephen Berkov, or Boris Karloff?

Moist von Lipwig I think could be Dickie Attenborough or Alec Guinness.

I haven't yet found a part for Jack Hawkins or Lou Ferrigno...

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:33 AM

Mr Tulip is Michael Caine.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:37 AM

What about Eskarina - my favourite character after Gaspode?

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: MMario
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:00 AM

James Earl Jones for Death. Has to be.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:21 AM

Ah-hah - that give me an idea for Vimes - is it Tommy Lee Jones who is the hard man in Men in Black and Fugitive (notthe TV prog, the film)?

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: MMario
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:25 AM

I do believe so.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Ernest
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 01:58 PM

So many postings and no one suggested a role for Shatner...Little Hawk, where are you?

And I suggest Sean Bean for Vimes - there are some similarities (low upbringing, career in service) between Vimes and Sharpe...

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: MMario
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 02:19 PM

Shatner can play whassisname - Death's servant that only has a coupole seconds left to live if he shows up in the "real" world.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 04:20 PM

Albert. No, quite unsuitable.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 04:22 PM

Yea - James Earl Jones has my vote for Death as well!

Agree with whoever said Wilfred Bramble for Albert.

Some of the new (and old) Last of the Summer Wine characters slot in but I can't quite figure out who does what - Apart from Burt Kwok who has do do anyone Chinese (or Agatean)!

Stick to my guns on Rickman - he can do sinister realy well.

How about Prince for Buddy?

Keep 'em coming!

:D

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 04:25 PM

Oh - Spike Milligan for the Bursar.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: MMario
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 04:26 PM

shatner's unsuitable for any role - but if he played Albert - well, we probably wouldn't have to see much of him.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 05:39 PM

Patricia Routledge as Sybil Vimes?

Kitty

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 05:49 PM

Rowan Atkinson as Rincewind.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 05:52 PM

Gerard Depardieu as Detritus....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:38 PM

Good choices Kitty, I see where you're coming from. Depardieu for Detritus - excellent.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Fred Maslan
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:17 PM

Sean Bean would make a good Vimes. the problem with casting Carrot is that he is a red headed greek god with charisma. Just doesn't call up a real person. And then there is the problem of Nobby. remember he has to carry a certificate to prove he is human.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 02:15 AM

Yep, Sid James then for Nobby.

Subject: RE: Casting Terry Pratchett films
From: Ernest
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 02:58 AM

How about Danny de Vito for Nobby Nobbs?