Perfect Casting, part 2

[shades of grey]

How about Jason Statham as Kincaid.  He was a Olympic Diver.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005458/

Hmmmmm, I like.

But then if we are looking for Champion Swimmers:

[Quantus]

Yeah, he'll work.

Also, as an alternate for the Erlking (Tom Waits is my first choice)-Ron Perlman.

Definitely fits the fairy look, but Im not sure he works for the Erlking.  The Erlking is supposed to have a somewhat lopsided, rugged sort of good looks, reflecting his Goblin nature. 

[habu987]

Aight, here're my series casting ideas.  I've only drawn actors and actresses from tv shows and movies that I have watched, so I'm sure there are plenty of suitable other members of the acting community that I haven't named here.  In addition, this is not a recommendation of their acting talents, or lack thereof, but rather just a recommendation of how they appear in my head.

Harry: Zachary Levi
Murphy: I'm drawing a complete blank on who would fit her!   Selma Blair?  If Amanda Seyfried were 10-15 years older, I'd give her my nod.
Lea: Kate Beckinsale
Elaine: Lake Bell I haven't read the books in a while and don't remember what she's supposed to look like...
Thomas: Matt Bomer
Susan: Valerie Cruz I thought she did a great job as Murphy in the show
Morgan: Stephen Lang
Michael: Adam Baldwin or Liam Neeson
Charity: Kari Matchett or Elisabeth Rohm
Molly: Abbie Cornish She's not tall enough, though
Fr. Forthill: Ron Rifkin
Sanya: Taye Diggs
Shiro: I'm drawing a complete blank
Lara: Yvonne Strahovski
Mac: Ian McElhenney He's a bit too old, though
Nic: Ray Wise Can't remember Nic's description...
Eb: Ron Donachie or James Cosmo Both are too tall, though
Injun Joe: Russell Means
Merlin: Julian Glover
Ancient Mai: No clue
The Gatekeeper: No clue
Cowl: This guy
Marcone: Edward Norton He sold me with American History X
Gard: Tricia Helfer or Ali Larter
Hendricks: Rory McCann He's not huge enough, though.  As an alternative, John Cena
Lash: Kristen Bell I just feel "eh" about this one
Mab: Sophie Marceau Not entirely sure how old Mab or Lea are supposed to appear
Butters: Breckin Meyer or Josh Zuckerman
Ivy: Drawing a blank--don't watch too many shows/movies with kids/teenagers in them
Kincaid: Andy Whitfield. Or, if Andy's cancer is still an issue, Christian Slater
Luccio (post DB): Lauren Cohan
Billy: No idea
Georgia: Amy Acker
Maeve: Amanda Crew
Lily: Hayden Panettiere
Mort: David H. Lawrence XVII
Bob: This guy
Mister: This guy
Mouse: This guy

Lemme know if I missed anyone of significance!

EDIT: I filled in a few of the missing folks and cleaned up the formatting.  In addition, Famke Janssen and Bridget Moynahanpop out at me, but I haven't a clue who I'd like to cast them as.  Maybe alternates for Lea and Mab or Charity?

[samrvs]

I tried watching a few episodes of the Syfy series and have to admit that I was extremely underwhelmed.  Even though I am just discovering Jim Butcher's work, I would really like to see someone transfer his sense of humor onto the screen. 

My blog, With Both Hands and a Flashlight:  http://withbothhandsandaflashlight.blogspot.com/

[habu987]

I tried watching a few episodes of the Syfy series and have to admit that I was extremely underwhelmed.  Even though I am just discovering Jim Butcher's work, I would really like to see someone transfer his sense of humor onto the screen. 

My blog, With Both Hands and a Flashlight:  http://withbothhandsandaflashlight.blogspot.com/

I think it would be important for any future Harry actor to have at least some sort of comedic capabilities.  And not just Harry, but have the other main folks have comedic capabilities.  The humor is part of what makes the books so unique for me--serious fantasies are a dime a dozen, and the ones that can successfully capture that blend of seriousness and comedy are much fewer and far between.

[Warden John Marcone]

Um...ADAM Baldwin?  For MICHAEL?  Methinks you got a few screws loose, my friend.  Baldwin's an enforcer, not a warrior and father.

[Quantus]

I think it would be important for any future Harry actor to have at least some sort of comedic capabilities.  And not just Harry, but have the other main folks have comedic capabilities.  The humor is part of what makes the books so unique for me--serious fantasies are a dime a dozen, and the ones that can successfully capture that blend of seriousness and comedy are much fewer and far between.

I always liked a quote from Joss Whedon I heard once where he said he always tries to cast comic for dramatic roles, because comedy is the harder one.  

[habu987]

Um...ADAM Baldwin?  For MICHAEL?  Methinks you got a few screws loose, my friend.  Baldwin's an enforcer, not a warrior and father.

As I said, I just picked actors and actresses for how they appear, not necessarily how they would be in the role.  In this case, big guy in his late 40s/early 50s who can throw down with the best of them...and do it while quoting Scripture and whatnot in Latin...

That being said, I can see AB playing Michael.  He's big, the right age, and can do action.  No clue about the rest of the stuff--sure, it would be a departure from his normal role, but I don't see any reason why he couldn't pull it off.

[habu987]

I always liked a quote from Joss Whedon I heard once where he said he always tries to cast comic for dramatic roles, because comedy is the harder one.  

Yeah.  I'm not saying that the cast of The Life and Times of Harry Dresden (aka, the Dresden Files) would need to be stand up comedians, but that the actors need to be able to give that little burst of humor that is their trademark in the books.  Anyone can do drama--if you've got a poker face, you're good enough.  But how many actors/actresses out there can do drama and slip something at least vaguely comedic in the middle of the drama?  I've seen plenty of folks onscreen who can't do that for the life of them.

[Snowleopard]

Not Alec Baldwin for Michael.  Michael has to inspire confidence and trust on first sight - that's not Baldwin.
We had this discussion somewhere about 40 pages ago I think or maybe 30.
Paul Gross for Michael.

[Warden John Marcone]

Not Alec Baldwin for Michael.  Michael has to inspire confidence and trust on first sight - that's not Baldwin.

No, don't want Alec either.  Neither Baldwin says "Faithful Protector" to me.

[habu987]

I'll agree no ALEC Baldwin.  Ugh, I can't picture Michael with that perpetual smirk that Alec Baldwin always seems to have...

As far as no ADAM Baldwin, y'all are quite obviously delusional!  

[Snowleopard]

Be nice habu.  We may dislike someone's choice but we don't go after them.
Except maybe Grey Warden and his periodic efforts to stir the pot by putting Tom Cruise up.  (Deep sigh)
(I think it's GW.  Oh goodie - senior moment!  )

[Warden John Marcone]

It's fine, snowy.  I agree that ADAM Baldwin should be there.  Just not as Michael.

[habu987]

Be nice habu.  We may dislike someone's choice but we don't go after them.
Except maybe Grey Warden and his periodic efforts to stir the pot by putting Tom Cruise up.  (Deep sigh)
(I think it's GW.  Oh goodie - senior moment!  )

My apologies if I offend anyone--my comments are usually meant to be firmly tongue in cheek.

On the other hand, ya know, if Harry

(click to show/hide)

somehow shrinks a foot and a half and has any scenes where he jumps on a couch as a ghost/after he (presumably) gets his body back

, then Tom Cruise would be a great choice!