Casting discussion: the Starks

[Lady Blackfish]

I thought I'd make this thread because the official casting threads asked for no discussions, but people seemed intent on discussing anyway. Which is perfectly natural as that's half the fun, but maybe we could put it in separate discussion threads instead and keep the official casting threads nice and lean?

Me personally, I just want to comment on one thing so far, and that's Eddard Stark (so I'm going to leave the creation of other discussion threads to whoever finds them necessary). A lot of suggestions for Ned tend to puzzle me a bit, like Clive Owen or Gerard Butler types. Not meaning them specifically, but guys who are really handsome and natural manly leader of men just feel kind of the opposite of Ned, right? Ned is plain and somber, and while he definitely has a leader role I think it should show that he wasn't born that way, deep down he'd rather not be ruling at all. Power rests uneasy with him, and when he walks into the room he isn't the kind that all the women want and all the men want to be like (that's Jaime). He inspires loyalty by how he treats people and the fairness he shows them, not because he's all that, well, badass. Okay, Ned has his badass moments, but they're more about his idealistic righteous stances, not because he's dripping in macho like Owen and Butler tend to.

Sean Bean has a more down-to-earth vibe especially compared to Owen and Butler (I know they're too expensive anyway and I am not holding anyone to task for suggesting them just for the hell of it, but I wouldn't use them as prototypes to start thinking about cheaper versions either), and he seems like burly northman material. But if I can be purely superficial, well, Sean Bean's still pretty sexy and Ned, again, is supposed to be that plain-looking plainspoken type. I know they can downplay that though. So I'm on the fence with him.

Anyway, I was hoping to understand more what you guys were looking for with the suggestions for Ned, and obviously if anyone wants to discuss the other Starks or respond to anything in the casting thread, go ahead. On that note I'll just say one more thing:

Ser Scot --
[quote name='Ser Scot A Ellison' post='1586173' date='Nov 12 2008, 07.48']I was going to recommend that one. He's great as "Nemo" in Bleak House. I thought he had just the right look.[/quote]
That was where I noticed him too, he had a minor part but he seemed really appropriate for a sympathetic reserved type, reminded me a lot of Ned during his angstier moments. Then I IMDB'd him and saw he had played Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden. It's been a long time since I saw that movie but I remember the role as being rather melancholy and introverted, and in both this and Bleak House he played a father. I looked him up on youtube and found a clip from The Secret of Roan Inish, which I've never seen -- the role wasn't very like Eddard, it seemed, but he could tell a good story and I can see that lending itself to his manner with his kids. He also could do anger there and Ned does get angry and bitter in his own way in several important scenes.

[Tears of Lys]

I think you're spot-on with Sean Bean for Ned. He needs to be older and craggier, and Sean's getting that way now. Plus he's a really good actor, which the role of Ned requires. They can un-pretty him enough, I would think.

Ned is not the obvious bad-ass that some other characters are, but more a leader of men. That requires a gravitas.

[Ser Scot A Ellison]

LB,

The more I think about it the more I think John Lynch really suits the role of Ned. Bean is a big name and will cost some money. Lynch is a good actor with the note of saddness about him, and the fire, from time to time, that Ned's roll calls for.

[admiral_atheist]

I remember John Lynch mostly from his role in In the Name of the Father, and there isn't really much Ned in there :), but seeing some newer pictures of him (from the aforementioned Bleak House) and reading your descriptions, it seems more and more like an interesting choice.

[Lady Blackfish]

I saw In the Name of the Father and don't remember him at all, who was he?

ETA: Now I remember! Yes you're right, he wasn't very Ned at all, more like an Angry Young Man type. Well at least he has some range?

[admiral_atheist]

[quote name='Lady Blackfish' post='1587039' date='Nov 12 2008, 23.50']I saw In the Name of the Father and don't remember him at all, who was he?

ETA: Now I remember! Yes you're right, he wasn't very Ned at all, more like an Angry Young Man type. Well at least he has some range?[/quote]

Yeah, yeah. It's just, he was much younger there, and beacuse I haven't seen him in anything since, he stayed that angry young hippie-man for me. :)

[Oorag]

You walk a dangerous road when you deliberately go out to cast less than attractive actors for major parts. If people don't like the look of an actor, they may tune out. Lots of film version of characters end up being prettier than they were characterized. I think the term is "Hollywood ugly," where reasonably attractive actors are made a little frumpier with costuming to play an "unattractive" character. It's also easy to characterize people as handsome or plain with dialogue and performance. If Ned never smiles and walks around in bland grey clothing, he'll come across as much less "handsome" than the actor playing Jaime, who will have golden locks, flashy clothes, a killer smile, and plenty of witty banter.

That all being said, Butler and Bean are bigger names than ASOIAF can afford anyway.

[Morrigan]

Reposting what I said in the official Stark thread:

[quote]But I just had a great idea for Eddard Stark: [url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0854742/"]Simon Templeman[/url]! He is a British theatre actor, has the coolest voice ever, can do the quiet nobleman very well, and with just a bit of help he could [url="http://www.nosgoth.net/frames/SimonTempleman.jpg"]look the part[/url]. He's surely nowhere near as expensive as Sutherland either.[/quote]

Has anyone played any of the Legacy of Kain games? He does Kain's voice in it, and he's utterly brilliant.

[Vendetto]

[url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000553/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000553/[/url]
Liam Neeson for Eddard Stark.
Excellent role in Kingdom of Heaven.

[Robb19]

[quote name='Oorag' post='1587059' date='Nov 12 2008, 17.02']You walk a dangerous road when you deliberately go out to cast less than attractive actors for major parts. If people don't like the look of an actor, they may tune out. Lots of film version of characters end up being prettier than they were characterized. I think the term is "Hollywood ugly," where reasonably attractive actors are made a little frumpier with costuming to play an "unattractive" character. It's also easy to characterize people as handsome or plain with dialogue and performance. If Ned never smiles and walks around in bland grey clothing, he'll come across as much less "handsome" than the actor playing Jaime, who will have golden locks, flashy clothes, a killer smile, and plenty of witty banter.

That all being said, Butler and Bean are bigger names than ASOIAF can afford anyway.[/quote]

Good post all around, but...

SPOILER: Better safe than sorry

I don't think the budget will be broken on one character who is in 75% of one season

[Red Viper of Dorne]

[quote name='Vendetto' post='1588637' date='Nov 14 2008, 01.25'][url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000553/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000553/[/url]
Liam Neeson for Eddard Stark.
Excellent role in Kingdom of Heaven.[/quote]

Two problems: unaffordable, and way too old. Eddard is in his mid- to late-30's.

[TheKingSlayerTWModTeam]

I think that Daniel Day Lewis would be a great choice for Ned.

[ogbebaba]

[quote name='TheKingSlayerTWModTeam' post='1588663' date='Nov 14 2008, 02.20']I think that Daniel Day Lewis would be a great choice for Ned.[/quote]

he would be even more expensive than Liam Neeson

[caspian]

[quote name='RobbJKJ' post='1588652' date='Nov 14 2008, 02.02']Good post all around, but...

SPOILER: Better safe than sorry

I don't think the budget will be broken on one character who is in 75% of one season

[/quote]

True, but casting a big star for a limited role in the first season might be a worthwhile investment for a couple reasons. It would draw viewers to the series, and it would add a bit of "prestige" to the project that could attract other talent who would otherwise pass on it.


On a side note, it's been so long since I've read the series that I keep forgetting characters and their ages. So, if any of the casting suggestions I've posted so far seem ludicrous, I apologize in advance.

[needle]

As others have mentioned culling Rome for actors, I have to go with [url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0571727/"]Kevin McKidd[/url] for Ned.

For starters, he's Scottish, and we all know Starks are Scots, right?

Secondly, he's got that sombre, consciensce ridden thing down pat.

Howver, looks like he might be all booked up with House at the moment.

[The Hound's Bastard]

I'm not sure how people an complain about price and suggest big hollywood actors. Sean Bean made his name in low budget produtions and he still doesn't shy away from that kind of thing

[Robb19]

[quote name='caspian' post='1588688' date='Nov 14 2008, 02.01']True, but casting a big star for a limited role in the first season might be a worthwhile investment for a couple reasons. It would draw viewers to the series, and it would add a bit of "prestige" to the project that could attract other talent who would otherwise pass on it.[/quote]

I said something about this in the A-Listers thread. I think Sean Bean is perfect for Ned, actually. He's top material, I don't think he's going to be that expensive, and he doesn't come with A-list fanfare which I think is a good thing for Ned specifically.

[Marcelo Rebelo Firqoralas]

[quote name='iggybel' post='1588031' date='Nov 13 2008, 22.43'][b]Ned Stark:[/b] These suggestions are the right age and have the tall, dark, somber look I imagine is needed for Ned. They're all good actors too.

[url="http://media.photobucket.com/image/anthony%20howell/Phant0mACE/Various%20Stills/AnthonyHowell.jpg"][color="#0000FF"]Anthony Howell[/color][/url]- from Foyle's War, lots of theater experience, great voice.
[url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0397928/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0397928/[/url][/quote]
Great choice! He would be perfect IMO.

[quote][b]Catelyn Stark:[/b] I think these actresses have the right look and talent to pull it off.

[url="http://media.photobucket.com/image/gillian%20anderson/eddylea/Gillian%20Anderson/empire.jpg"][color="#0000FF"]Gillian Anderson[/color][/url]-she was good in Bleak House
[url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000096/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000096/[/url][/quote]
I wouldn't mind this one either.

[Ser Scot A Ellison]

Vendetto,

[quote name='Vendetto' post='1588637' date='Nov 14 2008, 01.25'][url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000553/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000553/[/url]
Liam Neeson for Eddard Stark.
Excellent role in Kingdom of Heaven.[/quote]

Good pick, but too big and too old.

Needle,

I'd love to see McKidd in this, but, as Ned, he [i]looks[/i] wrong. Way too fair skined.

[hyacine_martell]

[quote name='needle' post='1588728' date='Nov 14 2008, 04.31']As others have mentioned culling Rome for actors, I have to go with [url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0571727/"]Kevin McKidd[/url] for Ned.

For starters, he's Scottish, and we all know Starks are Scots, right?

Secondly, he's got that sombre, consciensce ridden thing down pat.

Howver, looks like he might be all booked up with House at the moment.[/quote]


I've also thought of Kevin McKidd. I worry that that's type-casting though. Ned isn't as uptight as Lucius Veranis but only by a few shades! Would McKidd want to play another uber-moral, uber-principaled character?

Quibbling aside, I'm sure he'd be fabulous.