Who could play Rhaegar or Could anyone play him?

[ThePrinceThatKnewNothing]

So there's talks that the show could be doing a flashback at the tourney of harrenhall next season. If this is true then surely Rhaegar has to be in it. But I've been thinking for a while now if Rhaegar was casted who could play him or could anyone actually play him? Rhaegar almost sounds perfect while his actions may not have been. The guys meant to be beautiful, can sing to the point women cry, a great warrior, the list goes on. But is he too perfect? Would anyone cast as him just be a disappointment regardless? There's always CGI I guess! 

[Lord Oaf of Highgarden]

Like you said Rhaegar would be incredibly difficult to cast due to the idea of him looking absolutely perfect and such high expectations from us all.

I have been looking all over the internet and previous forum posts to see who has been suggested.  Browse at your leisure:  http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/76753-rhaegar-targaryen/&page=17

 

 

After a lot of searching on the internet and previous posts on here these were the consistent names that came up, except number ten which is just my favourite in terms of looks.

 

1) Orlando Bloom in a similar Legolas look  http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/lotr/images/d/da/Legolas_portrait_-_EmpireMag.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130627111817 

- Personally I feel he is probably too old for that role, plus I am not the greatest fan of Bloom's acting ability 

2) A few mentons for Sam Claflin 

http://www.laineygossip.com/Content/images/articles/sam claflin 18jul12 02.jpg 

He is British and a decent looking guy but I am not overly convinced again.

3) Tom Hiddlestone 

http://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2014/09/25/10/Tom-Hiddleston-Getty.jpg 

Maybe a little old but really like him as an actor. 

4) Chris Hemsworth  (Attached the photo of him in character as Thor) 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=chris+hemsworth+thor&biw=1366&bih=643&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiZ14-c25nOAhWJBcAKHYVmBVEQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=A1y4eFUr6FkHVM%3A 

I do not think this would work for several reasons. Particularly the fact he is big in Hollywood but I feel he is quite big for the role of Rhaegar. I imagine Hemsworth figure being more of a Robert Baratheon back in his day.

5) Lee Pace 

http://weheartit.com/entry/group/60144021

Once again I am not convinced. Maybe Rhaegar is too perfect to be cast!

6) Ben Barnes 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TOCQAjlN0Ik/UPeCeXB-O-I/AAAAAAAAABk/mU_vykmIvUM/s1600/Ben-Barnes-4-1280.jpg

This could work! Seems to be quite a popular choice online. Someone even photoshopped Barnes' face onto Visery's body as seen below

http://orig03.deviantart.net/3969/f/2014/072/8/e/rhaegar_targaryen_by_cascador-d657x0x.jpg

7) Henry Carvill

http://ell.h-cdn.co/assets/16/07/1600x800/landscape-1455813161-elle-henrycavill.jpg

8) Travis Fimmel 

http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/video151/images/5/54/Vikings_-_Ragnar_Battles_Jarl_Borg/revision/latest?cb=20140325002421

Loved his performance in Vikings (that is the picture above) but similar to Hemsworth I do wonder if he is too rugged for the part. I viewed Rhaegar as more beautiful than rugged. 

9) Alexander Skarsgard 

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/c4/4b/e5/c44be5265e12cc21184acb51eb1f7d0b.jpg

Seemed a very popular choice and seems like a good fit

10) Unknown guy

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/16618523/homepage/name/homepage.jpg?type=sn 

No idea who he is as I just saw the link in a post but I think he looks perfect for the part. Has that natural look but also looks formidable. 

 

I hope to God these links all work or this long search and copy and paste session has been a waste of time.

 

Apologies for the length of the post.

 

[Marada78]

Some of the list are too different from Kit. You can't expect to have a real father-son resemblance, but at least some common points. Only number 2 is acceptable IMO.

[StoneColdJorahMormont]

the guy that played freddie in skins might be a good shout.

[Le Cygne]

Alexander Skarsgard would be my pick, he's got that long blonde hair thing going on in Tarzan. But best case, they just get someone who captures the right look, they won't take much time for the story. But hopefully they go there at least a little.

[Lord Lannister]

Honestly with all the hype and mystery surrounding Rhaegar, I think it would diminish him to actually show him on screen no matter who does it or how well. Sometimes things are best left to the imagination.

[StoneColdJorahMormont]

14 minutes ago, Lord Lannister said:

14 minutes ago, Lord Lannister said:

Honestly with all the hype and mystery surrounding Rhaegar, I think it would diminish him to actually show him on screen no matter who does it or how well. Sometimes things are best left to the imagination.

Honestly with all the hype and mystery surrounding Rhaegar, I think it would diminish him to actually show him on screen no matter who does it or how well. Sometimes things are best left to the imagination.

yup especially how wasted the character will be knowing there is so much to be brought together in the remaining seasons, it would only lead to people being underwhelmed similar to the casting of Lynna stark best leave it to everyone to form their own picture of the perfect male

[Le Cygne]

Well, there's actually more story we don't know, it's not enough to just know who Jon's parents are, what was their story? That matters, too.

His whole story, there's that question about his identity, he knows he's a Stark, but they need to explore his Targaryen side, too.

Not saying they will, but seems like at least a scene or two would add to his characterization. He's a really important character.

[Future Null Infinity]

I will pick this one : Sam Claflin

[Darksky]

Rhaegar was not some kind of God, he was human, hence he was not perfect. Actors can portray Gods in movies/shows, so it's not Mission Impossible to have a convincing Rhaegar looks and acting wise. He was lauded as incredibly beautiful or the most beautiful by several characters and he sure might have been just that, but it's still subjective. No one's beauty is ever unanimously recognised. I think it's a case of letting imagination go wild, people have started to see Rhaegar as this ideal (appearance-wise) mystical formidable being so no actor could ever meet the expectations and only through imagination one can hope to do him justice.

Looks aside, everything else, like singing/harp-playing could be easily done. Either not show it or, even if the actor cannot sing and play, do it through playback and have him pretend to play and sing.

As for putting the face to the character, I nominate Ben Barnes, Gaspard Ulliel, even though they're in their early 30s, or Douglas Booth (right now he's the age Rhaegar died at). Chris Hemsworth would be great if only for his face, his speaking voice is so raspy and he's too beefy now.

If they have Rhaegar, it will likely be some small-time actor or complete unknown.

[Winterstars]

I like Ben Barnes, but I guess I must pick Hemsworth because this official portrait of Rhaegar really reminds me of him

http://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/thumb/2/22/Rhaegar_twoiaf.jpg/320px-Rhaegar_twoiaf.jpg

[StoneColdJorahMormont]

3 hours ago, Winterstars said:

I like Ben Barnes, but I guess I must pick Hemsworth because this official portrait of Rhaegar really reminds me of him

http://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/thumb/2/22/Rhaegar_twoiaf.jpg/320px-Rhaegar_twoiaf.jpg

when i look at that picture i see one man, Dolph Ziggler wrestler in the WWE LOL!

 

http://orig00.deviantart.net/8c02/f/2012/200/0/0/custom_dolph_ziggler_trading_card_by_deviantfafnir-d57uqm5.jpg

[lakin1013]

Aiden Turner.  Looks the part, looks like Jon, has the right accent, and he just works.  

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2636108/mediaviewer/rm3302617856

[ThePrinceThatKnewNothing]

I know it sounds crazy but I think if they find an actor who fits Rhaegar then I feel that they should have the actor lip syncing over play back music. And I genuinely think Hannah Reed from London Grammar has a voice that would suit Rhaegar. Even though she's a female and he's a male, they could edit it slightly.  But her voice is other worldly and would sound amazing over a harp

[thi4f]

No difference, for 2-3 lines they can cast anyone and alter him with CGI. Targaryens already look artificial and out of this world, computers won't harm them at all.

[pettes]

harry loyd

[Bear Claw]

On 7/30/2016 at 1:08 PM, lakin1013 said:

Aiden Turner.  Looks the part, looks like Jon, has the right accent, and he just works.  

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2636108/mediaviewer/rm3302617856

Exactly. Aiden Turner is perfect for this role.  I really wanted Toby Stephens as Mance (he has just as much gravitas as anyone), so I hope they don't disappoint me again. 

[Cron]

On 7/29/2016 at 7:27 AM, ThePrinceThatKnewNothing said:

So there's talks that the show could be doing a flashback at the tourney of harrenhall next season. If this is true then surely Rhaegar has to be in it. But I've been thinking for a while now if Rhaegar was casted who could play him or could anyone actually play him? Rhaegar almost sounds perfect while his actions may not have been. The guys meant to be beautiful, can sing to the point women cry, a great warrior, the list goes on. But is he too perfect? Would anyone cast as him just be a disappointment regardless? There's always CGI I guess! 

Jace Wayland is my pick (assuming he can do the acting).

Frankly, I can't believe how old some of the other actors being considered are.

My understanding is that Rhaegar was only a few years older than Jaime and Cersei.  Jaime, I believe, was 16 at the Tourney of Harrenhall.  That would make Rhaegar no more than around 20 to 25, at most (I'm guessing some here knows Rhaegar's exact age, though)..

Some of the other actors being suggested are pushing 40 (some might be even older, for all I know)

And some of the major star names being bandied about?  Not happening (cuz of money).  Not close to happening, and I think some of THEM are definitely too old already, too.

[Laughing Storm Reborn]

someone with top notch skill in taking a warhammer to the chest

 

[RhaenysBee]

Travis. Not a question. 

Of course he wouldn't take the role, so they would end up digging up some no name actor which they aren't half bad at. Grown up Lyanna was quite okay, Oberyn was phenomenal (sorry if Pedro wasn't no name I've never heard of him before GoT and the hype was all about Oded Fehr), Bella Ramsay was pretty awesome too, as was Arthur Dayne guy and I didn't have a particular problem with Young Ned either. 

But there is also Alexander Dreymon who looks kinda like the best possible crossover between Travis, Alexander Skarsgard and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Perfect Rhaegar, you just need a couple barrels of bleach and peroxide.