Oscar-inspired casting thread

[Tracy]

Who's watching the Academy Awards? My daughter and I are having a little party, dressed up in pretty dresses. I always get casting ideas from the Oscars. I thought it would be fun to start an Oscars-inspired casting thread.

Ideas so far:

James McEvoy - Malcolm

Richard E. Grant - Carfax or Alistair

Rachel Weisz - Mélanie

Emilia Clarke - Gisèle or Allie - or possibly Mélanie

What do you think? If you're watching do you have any casting ideas?

[Betty]

I stopped watching several years ago, because I don't like how political they have become.

Just recently the new Mary Poppins movie was critcized for being racist in the chimney sweep dance. Imagine the nerve of having the chimney sweeps with soot on their faces. Of course, the original movie did also.

Dressing up and having a party sounds like fun. Hope you and Melanie enjoy the evening.

[Lynne]

You and Melanie will have fun. But like Betty, I haven't watched in years. The bulk of the movies made today are a lot like most network tv, pretty trashy and without much redeeming value. I'd much rather read a good book. I do like your casting choices, particularly Rachel as Melanie and Richard Grant as Carfax - there's an actor who could be just about as nasty as Carfax and do a great job at it. Clever you!!

[Tracy]

Betty wrote: "I stopped watching several years ago, because I don't like how political they have become.

Just recently the new Mary Poppins movie was critcized for being racist in the chimney sweep dance. Imagi..."

I read that article (or one maybe there were others) in the NYT. I'm not sure I agree with the analysis, but it was substantive and thoughtfully done.

We did have fun - Mélanie watched the whole show.

[Tracy]

Lynne wrote: "You and Melanie will have fun. But like Betty, I haven't watched in years. The bulk of the movies made today are a lot like most network tv, pretty trashy and without much redeeming value. I'd much..."

We had a lot of fun, complete with popcorn, pizza, and cupcakes. I hadn't seen any of the movies yet, but from what I've read and what I saw in the clips they seemed like a quite diverse and thougthful group. Love seeing Regina King and Olivia Colemnan, both wonderful actresses, win and loved their speeches.

Glae you agree about Rachel Weisz and Richard E. Grant!

[Tracy]

A few more casting thoughts:

If Bradley Cooper were British, I could see him as Malcolm. He has a combination of intelligence and sweetness that really works for Malcolm.

I feel like Olivia Colman should work as someone but not sure who.

Someone suggested Willen Dafoe as Julian - not sure what I think of that. Thoughts?

[Lynne]

Olivia could conceivably be Aunt Frances - she has excellent range. Brad would have to do a bang-up English accent before he'd pass as Malcolm. I still can't decide who would be a good Malcolm...plenty of possibilities but no one just stands out to me.

[Tracy]

I don't see Olivia Colman as Frances based on the roles I've seen her in, but I agree she has excellent range.

Yes, that's why I said I could see Bradley Coooper as Malcolm if were British. Malcolm remains a young David Duchovny for me (I have to imagine the British accent, but at least his mom actually is Scottish). I can see a lot of other possibilities, including James McEvoy and a young Daniel Craig, but no one stands out to me either. It's fun to consider different possibilities and hear different suggestions because it lets me see different sides of his character.

How was Victoria? I haven't watched yet.

[Lynne]

Excellent! And I just read where Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes are an item! Must be why they're so believable on the screen. And of course, Lawrence Fox just keeps getting better. He is quite an actor!

[Tracy]

Great to hear! I'm excite to watch it.

[Tracy]

Palmerston plays a role in Glenister Papers, and Laurence Fox's performance has inspired me to increase his role.

[Betty]

Just recently saw that Tom Hughes abd Jenna Coleman have been together since 2016. I think you have something there, Lynne, about their relationship helping make their acting seem realistic.

I would like to see more of Palmerston, Tracy. He is growing on me in Victoria and Laurence Fox.

This should probably be in the other casting thread, but what does anyone think about Will Kemp as one of our male characters? Just saw him in a Valentine's movie, Love, Romance, and Chocolate, in which he played a Belgian chocolatier. He is really something!

[Kimberly]

I'm glad you and Melanie had an Oscar party, it sounds like a lot of fun. I only watched part of the show and was disappointed that Glen Close loss.
I like Rachel Weisz as Suzanne. How about Ralph Fiennes as Carfax (now) and as Harry when he was in the English Patient? I also like Christine Baranski as Arabella. I think she has a will of iron and the determination that I see in her quest to stop the League.

[Kimberly]

What about Jonathan Pryce (from The Wife) as Alistair. I am still having a hard time with Archie. He seems just out of reach or maybe I haven't seen enough movies...

[Tracy]

Betty wrote: "Just recently saw that Tom Hughes abd Jenna Coleman have been together since 2016. I think you have something there, Lynne, about their relationship helping make their acting seem realistic.

I wou..."

Will Kemp is definitely an attractive man, Betty! It does seem he should fit in the series. It's a bit hard for me to tell just from pictures beause part of what makes an actor right for me is body language, but maybe Simon?

[Tracy]

Kimberly wrote: "What about Jonathan Pryce (from The Wife) as Alistair. I am still having a hard time with Archie. He seems just out of reach or maybe I haven't seen enough movies..."

Kim, I could totally see Ralph Fiennes now as Carfax after seeing him as M in the Spectre. I could also sort of see him as Harry in The English Patient era, though not as much so. Other than Hugh Laurie, who is firmly Harry for me, the closest I've come is Laurenfe Fox.

Christine Baranski would make a good Arabella. She's my image for Charlotte from Duke's Gambit, so obviously I can imagine her with Raoul (perhaps not surpisingly because I saw her on stage with Jeremy Irons, my image for Raoul, in Stoppard's The Real Thing over 30 years ago).

Speaking of The English Patient, my image for Arabella is Kristin Scott-Thomas.

Jonathan Pryce is such a fabulous actor - I could see himn as Alistiar - or Carfax.

[Betty]

Yes, I can see Will Kemp as Simon. He has great body language. Try to catch him in the show I mentioned, Love, Romance, and Chocolate.

[Tracy]

It sounds good - I'll look for it!

[Petra]

I LOVE watching the Oscars! But I was in Italy last week so missed it this year. Sometimes I have friends over to watch the red carpet and the beginning of the show (it's goes on too late East Coast time to watch the whole thing). We also like to come up with an Oscar themed menu (whether I cook it or not...) like La La Lamb and The Shape of Watermelon last year.

I think Olivia Coleman is fantastic and should be someone in the series! Personality-wise I would say Cordelia, but she doesn't look like a Cordy to me.

I don't remember if I've seen Will Kemp in anything but based on pictures I could see him as Simon. Bradley Cooper as Malcolm is interesting...he might be a bit too pretty / fratty for me.

[Tracy]

Petra, your Oscar parties sound like so much fun! Sorry you missed them this year, but Italy sounds amazing!

I love Olivia Colman but I don't see her as Cordy, even personality wise. I can't think of even one of the characters who only appear in one book who she seems quite right for. I wonder if she might be Frances & Arabella's sister Marjorie whom we haven't met yet...