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Desperate Duchesses
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Jul 2012: Casting Desperate Duchesses...with a twist
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I see David Tennant as Damon before I see him as Villiers. He's too damn cheerful most of the time to pull off that stick-in-the-mud. Also what would make him an excellent Damon. And his ability to go from cheerful to serious in a split-second. Definitely Damon. I'll have to think on the rest. Gary Oldman as The Marquess tickles me, however.
I see Damon as a bit more muscle-y than David Tennant can pull off. Villiers is thin and I think David could play a fantastic snarky, sarcastic, dark character very well. I would love to see him do something that different from his normal roles. But I did originally cast him as Damon.
Wow I really agree with a lot of the casting choices here. It's difficult for me to decide. although there would be a few people I would suggest as possibilities.Villiers: Michael Fassbender!!!! He would be perfect at being cruel more than David Tennant or Jude Law I think.
Beaumont: Although I do like Hugh Jackman and would pick him on looks, Colin Firth could also play this part too
Damon: I cannot choose between David Tennant and Gerard Bulter. Both are too good, and too sexy.
Gary Oldman as the marquess would make my night, and I think both Felicia Day and Amy Adams could pull off Roberta. Morena as Jemma is a good choice. Amy Adams could possibly be Jemma as well. I think she could take on the challenge from being a cutesy character to a more manipulative character. After her performance in the Fighter she could probably do anything.
I very much agree with the choices stated. I admit that Felicia immediately came into mind when I began reading about Roberta. The idea of David Tennant as Damon is going to make finishing this book all the steamier, as I love him so much.
I could see Micheal Fassbender as Ejiah because they are constantly talking about how good looking he is. Plus I think he has the ability to bring that distance and intensity without being cold all the time.
I actually thought about Colin Ferth as well! I just didn't think he had the looks, but I kept coming back to him as a possibility.I actually had to look up Fessbinder, and I like him as a choice for Villiers. Villiers is a tough one to cast.
If I had pictured David Tennat as Damon throughout the book, I would never have wanted to finish it. If he could bulk up, I think he'd be an amazing Damon. But he was described as being muscular, so it was hard for me to get past that.
Renee wrote: "I see Damon as a bit more muscle-y than David Tennant can pull off. Villiers is thin and I think David could play a fantastic snarky, sarcastic, dark character very well. I would love to see him do..."Yes, and yes. David Tennant would make an exceptional Villiers, I'm sure. I see Damon as 'more experienced', he was pretty adult with the way he seduced Roberta and handled her emotions. Kind'a the more adult playboy type.
I must be the only one who doesn't 'see' actors in the roles when I'm reading books. I think the ideas here are interesting, but I usually have some face in my mind that isn't a current actor/actress.I can understand why people put faces they know on characters... I just never have.
Jute, someones i see actors as characters and sometimes (usually with the female characters) i can't picture a face. All I see is basic body shape and hair.David Tennant would be a good choice for Damon. He is described as a bit bulkier, but there is cg for that.
Fassbender is a good choice for Beaumont, but i saw someone more clean cut. this is someone in Parliament and a politician who is concerned about how he looks. Fassbender is a little rough around the edges (pleasantly so). but i saw someone more shiny.
I cant quite see who i would cast as Villiers. he seemed to be the tallest one in the room. dark hair and stompy. since they kept calling him "old", i see him with a few more wrinkles than his peers because he isnt doing any foofoo powder or fancy face creams. someone with a heavy brow and wide shoulders. maybe hugh jackman, but hugh jackman always looks happy, even when he isnt suppose to be. he doesnt scare me.
I don't see them as I read, but it's fun to come up with at the end for the "movie version". Roberta - Anna Paquin
Damon - Chris Hemsworth
Jemma - Kate Winslet
Beaumont - Liev Schrieber
Villiers - Matthew Fox
Marquess - A slightly toned down Jim Carrey
Mrs. Grope - Helena Bonham Carter
The Mermaid - Amanda Seyfried
Teddy - Oh my god, my suggestion was going to be "that kid from Bridge to Terabithia" but when I looked it up it was Josh Hutcherson/Peeta from the Hunger Games. Yikes. I'll say Gunnar Smith/Young Gary from the Muppet movie. Or something.
Kiera Knightly can be the French maid, and Anne Hathaway can be the mopey bitchy friend of Jemma's who goes in for the whole revenge thing. The Dutchess of Barrow? Hannah? Something like that.
Props for Tennant and Jackman though. Love them!
Chris Hemsworth, ok that wins me over for Damon. And he definitely has got the muscles.
Mod
I don't normally "see" actors in the roles as I'm reading, but I do like to theorycraft after the fact about who I'd like to see playing the roles if the book were made into a movie.
And, since I haven't finished the book yet, I'll be back for that. ;)
Damon:Jude LawJemma: Mia Kirshner / Ruta Gedmintas
Villiers: Ian Somerhalder
Beaumont: Wes Bentley
Throughout the book I saw Mia Kirshner (Isobel in Vampire Diaries) as Jemma but I think she was meant to be blonde. So maybe Ruta Gedmintas instead since she was pretty hot in The Borgias.
I swear, I have to be the ONLY Weird-O reader out there who reads romances, and is incapable of "casting" anyone as any character. Every time I read a book in general, and a romance novel, specifically, my mind creates that character independent of people I know in reality, celebrity or otherwise. I mentally create a person in my mind based off the physical descriptions within the story, and my brain fills in the rest. I'm like a book-nerdy version of Dr. Frankenstein.
Jacqueline, I'm the same way. I have a very hard time casting people I "recognize" into books I'm reading, and so end up imagining each character as different from anyone I know IRL.Reading through the suggestions, I see why people would imagine a character a certain way or pair an actor with a role, but that rarely occurs to me while reading.
That, and there will never be a better match for David Tenant, in my mind, than Rose (on screen, that is! :) ).
Sarah wrote: "Jacqueline, I'm the same way. I have a very hard time casting people I "recognize" into books I'm reading, and so end up imagining each character as different from anyone I know IRL.Reading throu..."
Oh, thank God I'm not the only one! LOL I really did think I must be the odd-ball, because in every author interview, in every group read, or book thread I go to comes this question of "casting." My mind spazzes at even the attempt to paint another person in the character my mind has created.
Like you, I can understand why someone would see a character as being a certain actor, or individual, but for me, the world of Hollywood comes too close to reality, and I want my fiction as far removed from the real world as possible.
I never used to cast anyone either. In fact, the only books I cast are for VF. I generally create a character based on their description, but Bonnie started the casting thing way back in the beginning and I think it's fun to try to think of just the right actor to play the characters. I don't even cast them while I'm reading them, but I'm much more conscious of their physical descriptions now so I can refer back to them later on. It's really just a fun game to play and discuss since the general discussion threads get really, really long.
Like I said, I understand the concept of casting, both for entertainment and for those who do so on a regular reading basis. Rather, for me, my brain attempts to smack me if I even try to imagine Character A being, looking, or sounding anything other than Character A.
Mod
(source).
I've seen a few episodes of that show and I completely agree. He is a beautiful man and would be a perfect Villiers.
Renee wrote: "I actually thought about Colin Ferth as well! I just didn't think he had the looks, but I kept coming back to him as a possibility.OMG. There is no one .. Repeat .. No one more beautiful then Colin Firth! I LOVE him. He makes my heart go pitter patter :)
Kristen wrote: "OMG. There is no one .. Repeat .. No one more beau..."So I decided to double check imdb pictures just to get a refresher and there's a picture of him with Benedict Cumberbatch. Although Colin is certainly good looking, I've decided Benedict Cumberbatch would be a great Villiers.
The results of my morning shower brain activity:Roberta - Ginnifer GoodwinMarquesse - Stanley Tucci
Mrs. Grope - Nicole Kidman
Jemma - Portia de Rossi
Beaumont - Kenneth Branaugh
Damon - Rupert Everett
Villiers - Hugh Jackman
I'm a fan of Stanley Tucci as the Marquess. I think Gary Oldman is still my first pick, but Tucci is a close 2nd.
Vicky wrote: "I started watching Being Human (UK) about half way through the book and I now I can't get Aidan Turner out of my head for Villers. Especially after I found this picture..."Oh, good choice! Aidan Turner would be a great Villiers.
I haven't cast anyone else except Damon, who for me is Ian Somerhalder. My very unoriginal brain of course makes this connection since he already plays Damon in Vampire Diaries. He'd have to be tanner (much tanner than his vampire self in the show) and have auburn brown hair.
I'm having such a hard time casting mrs groped and the marquess. But for Roberta I'm thinking Christina Hendricks. Damon would have to either be Ian somerholder or Chris hardwick ( him because I have a total crush on him and fancy myself for Roberta!! Hehe girly giggles commence). Ok now that I've regained composure Villers is totally aiden turner. Well since I saw the picture posted above it is!! And last of my pics so far is for Jemma who would be Jerri Ryan. Hope I didn't disturb anyone too much!! : ).
Wow, I LOVE the idea of Gary Oldman as the Marquess. He's in my top five actors ever, so I think I could find a part for him in any movie version of the books I read. I'm not sure about everyone else, but I was thinking of Jack Davenport as Beaumont. You know, the guy that played Commodore James Norrington in Pirates of the Caribbean (and he was in Coupling). The fact that I've seen him in a powdered wig for PoC really helped the matter.
I am not opposed to Jack Davenport as Beaumont. I'm currently reading book 2, and it is definitely better. I highly recommend it. There's a hotter character than Damon in it, in my humble opinion.
Hugh Grant (perhaps ten or so years ago) as Viliers! A la Daniel in Bridget Jones.
Christopher Heyerdahl as VilliersLily Cole as Roberta
Lena Headey as Jemma
Sir Ian Holm as The Mad Marquess
Hugh Jackman as Damon
Ewan McGregor as Beaumont
Julia Stiles as the Duchess of Berrow
Emilia Clarke as Brigitte
Drew Barrymore as The Mermaid
Azura Skye as Caro
Anna Faris as the nude centrepiece
Not sure about any others...
Kelly wrote: "Damon would have to either be Ian somerholder or Chris hardwick ( him because I ..."I kept thinking of Ian Somerholder! It's probably because his character's name in VD is Damon, but I still think he would be a good "book Damon."
Oh! Or instead of Hugh Jackman as Damon, Viggo Mortensen. Although I thought Damon was a bit of a creeper so maybe not. He might be a good Villiers actually...
I don't cast books either. I find it pretty difficult to cast even when I'm finished. Usually I can't think of anyone who I can shoehorn into the image I have in my head. However, there are lots of potential people already suggested in the thread that I agree with.
Aidan Turner as Villiers ( an inspired choice, Vicky!)
Keira Knightly as Jemma ( Moreena Baccarain is too dark for Jemma)
Tom Hardy (Eames from Inception) as Damon - my own suggestion
Either Stanley Tucci or Gary Oldham as The Mad Marquess
Emily Mortimer or Polly Walker as Mrs Grope - my suggestion
Gerard Butler, Jude Law or Daniel Craig as Beaumont - although all of them are too old IMHO
Carey Mulligan as Roberta
I'm unsatisfied with any suggestions for Beaumont. Most actors suggested are too old, IMHO. And I can't find anyone young enough who i think is distinguished. Perhaps Orlando Bloom if he werent so bony.
ETA: I found my perfect Beaumont - Andrew Lincoln ( Rick from Walking Dead) he's British and even played a man in unrequited love with Keira Knightly already ( in Love Actually )
And I really wanna see this movie now :D
Kinda or ruined it for me when I read on Eloisa's website that the female heroines were based on the Desperate housewife cast. Harriot-Lynette
Roberta-Susan
Isodria-Eva Longeria
Jemma-Bree
When I was reading the first DD I kept thinking of Felicia Day as Roberta..red hair and willowy.
I made a point to never watch Desperate Housewives, so I am saved from this reference.
While watching a Joss Whedon panel today, it dawned on me that Tom Hiddleston, Loki in Avengers, would be a perfect Villiers. I'd have to say that's my final choice for Villiers.
Renee - I was also thinking Tom Hiddleston for Villers! Without the mullet of course.Jillz - Ooh Tom Hardy as Damon! He has the charm and cheekiness and also can play "approachable". Great choice!
For me, this was easy as I actually chose Felicia as a possible casting for Roberta anyway.
Felicia - Roberta
Veronica - Jemma (again, that was an easy one)
Bonnie - Either Teddy or Damon or Mrs. Grope (who was one of my favorite characters)
Kiala - Elijah Beaumont (because I imagine him to be very sexy)
Now for a few picks for regular casting.
Roberta - Felicia Day, Amy Adams
Damon - Gerard Butler. I also thought Matthew McConaughey has the right flirty style, but I can't imagine him in a period film.
Jemma - Christina Hendricks, Morena Baccarin (Firefly)
Elijah - Hugh Jackman
Villiers - David Tennant, Jude Law
Mrs. Grope - Minnie Driver, Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde, A Mighty Wind)
The Marquess - Gary Oldman (because I love him and he's hilarious)