Targaryen Makeover Thread

[WightMeWorry]

Thought it might be fun (and wiser since the casting threads are a no comment zone :blush: ), to create a dedicated thread for Targeryan makeovers.

Here's the idea, and it's pretty self-explanatory. If you think a certain actor might look good in purple contacts and silver hair dye, use the painting or photo editing tool of your choice to transform them into the melancholy otherworldly beauty/inbred dragon-dreaming maniac they were meant to be. They don't all have to be sparkly :D like Daenerys or Rhaegar. Lets see some love for Aerys, Viserys, etc... too. As this is the series section, we should probably focus on the major characters, but if you see a pic that says Bloodraven, by all means post the [i]link[/i], cause Bloodraven is cool.

Photoshop experience is not required. You can do a lot of tricks with basic photo-editing programs. You can take most blondes into silver-blonde territory with simple saturation and color temperature changes. And if you can isolate the eyes the same tools will turn blue or green into purple or lilac. Here's a [url="http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=danyanabeatrizbarrosbefhi6.png"]before[/url] and [url="http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=danyanabeatrizbarrosae4.png"]after[/url] of my quick attempt to turn a lowly brazilian supermodel into the most beautiful woman in the Martin's world.

If you don't have a photo editing program, [url="http://www.gimp.org/"]gimp[/url] is free and quite powerful.


One last tip... start with a good photo--one that inspires you

[Naknakkus]

Nice job. She isn't really how I imagined Dany, but props for the 'shop.

I'll try my hand when I get home. Maybe Lily Cole or Caroline Trentini? I think all supermodels would be a bit too tall for Dany, as I always got the impression that she was rather petite.

[silmarilli]

Nice idea, I'll post mine here as well

[url="http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/4396/kristinkreuk76nd0.jpg"]Kristin Kreuk Before[/url]

[url="http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/6398/kristindanywg5.jpg"]Kristin As Dany[/url]

[Ammena Piper]

[quote name='silmarilli' post='1601761' date='Nov 27 2008, 08.17']Nice idea, I'll post mine here as well

[url="http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/4396/kristinkreuk76nd0.jpg"]Kristin Kreuk Before[/url]

[url="http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/6398/kristindanywg5.jpg"]Kristin As Dany[/url][/quote]

Real nice job. Hair, makeup, and contacts can do a lot to 'convince' a viewer that an actor just 'feels' right. But it's that unquantifiable essence that matches a real life performer to a fictional fabrication. These photos help me suspend my disbelief and transport me to another world.

I'm one of the supporters for K. Kreuk as Dany. I've always seen that 'essence' of Dany in K. Kreuk's work. It's nice to have a visual reference to confirm it all.

[The.Hound]

:o

K. Kreuk has my vote

[Fate's Bitch]

I'm still not sold on Kristen Kreuk's acting being good enough for Dany but I'll admit she has the look of a Targaryen. I like the idea someone suggested in another thread of using mixed race actors for Targaryens.

My attempts:
[url="http://img181.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26283_8093999_122_356lo.jpg"]Amanda Seyfried before[/url]
[url="http://img253.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=25803_asdany_122_444lo.jpg"]Amanda Seyfried after[/url]

[url="http://img148.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26277_amwo61_122_1015lo.jpg"]Olivia Wilde before[/url]
[url="http://img241.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=25804_owdany_122_150lo.jpg"]Olivia Wilde after[/url]

Please excuse the poor photoshopping.

[Naknakkus]

[url="http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=danycolecopyho8.jpg"]http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=danycolecopyho8.jpg[/url]

Haha, my excuse is that I only spent 5 minutes on it. I think she's the only one thus far who looks youthful enough to be Dany.

[Durendale]

Although I think Kristin K. is a very good option for Dany, [url="http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=natalieportmanfv8.jpg"]this[/url] is how I imagine Dany when I read the books.

[silmarilli]

Someone had mentioned Michelle Trachtenberg for Dany, and while she lack the exoticism of Kreuk, she does have a younger and more innocent look.

[url="http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/5531/michelletej6.jpg"]Michelle Before[/url]

[url="http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5893/michelledanyoq8.jpg"]Michelle as Dany[/url]

If anyone has any suggestions for Rhaegar or Viserys I would like to try my hand at one of their makeovers.

[Ammena Piper]

I'm still on my 'Targaryen's should look exotic' jag... Here's some guys that I could pair up with Kristin Kreuk as siblings.

Nicholas Saputra (German/Indonesian) as Viserys Targaryen
[url="http://intl.channelv.com/images/section/vjs/vj_nicholas.jpg"]http://intl.channelv.com/images/section/vjs/vj_nicholas.jpg[/url]
[url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1127373/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1127373/[/url]
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhHAgQTPSKQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhHAgQTPSKQ[/url] This youtube clip is very interesting. You get to hear him speaking English. His accent sounds very... German.

for a young exotic look: Chevez Evaneh (Native American) as Viserys Targaryen
[url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2097144/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2097144/[/url]

another young exotic look: Samuel Patrick Chu as Viserys Taragaryen
[url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1553460/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1553460/[/url]

another young exotic look: Tyler Posey (Irish/English/Mexican/French) as Viserys Targaryen
[url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0692677/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0692677/[/url]
[url="http://www.positive-entertainment.com/interviews/tylerposeyinterview.htm"]http://www.positive-entertainment.com/inte...eyinterview.htm[/url]

Mark Paul Gosselaar (Dutch/Indonesian) as Rhaegar Targaryen
[url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004971/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004971/[/url]

for a very exotic look: Kalani Queypo (Native American/Hawaiian) as Rhaegar Targaryen
[url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0703398/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0703398/[/url]

for an Athletic/Warrior look: Kostya Tyzu (Russian/Mongolian/Korean) as Rhaegar Targaryen
[url="http://www.kostyatszyu.com"]http://www.kostyatszyu.com[/url]

for a Model look: Nick Leary as Rhaegar Targaryen
[url="http://www.chadwickmodels.com/model/420"]http://www.chadwickmodels.com/model/420[/url]

for an actor: Michael Copon (half-Filipino) as Rhaegar Targaryen
[url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0178757/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0178757/[/url]

for an Abercrombie look: Sean Faris as Rhaegar Targaryen
[url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0267511/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0267511/[/url]

[Ammena Piper]

Forgot to add Jason Momoa as Rhaegar Targaryen.

his Stargate: Atlantis look is more Khal Drogo... here's a link to a more Glam shot.

[url="http://movies.msn.com/celebrities/celebrity-photos/jason-momoa/?vpid=542819"]http://movies.msn.com/celebrities/celebrit...oa/?vpid=542819[/url]

[Ran]

I think there's a bit of a problem if there's not much of a difference at all between the Targaryens and the Dothraki. Obviously, that Dany is described as pale shouldn't necessarily limit the choice of actress (or actor in Viserys's case), but still...

Should hunt around for some elfin Icelandic actresses to modify into Daenerys.

[Ammena Piper]

Another Rhaegar choice:

[quote name='Ammena Piper' post='1608253' date='Dec 3 2008, 16.14']Gael Garcia Bernal as Rhaegar Targaryen
[url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0305558/"]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0305558/[/url]
[url="http://ggb.fan-sites.org/"]http://ggb.fan-sites.org/[/url]
[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gael_García_Bernal"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gael_García_Bernal[/url][/quote]

[SergioCQH]

I think your originality is commendable, Ammena, but let's face it, most everyone considers the Targaryens to be very white. I'm Asian and I don't want to see the Targaryens looking Asiatic. I agree with Ran that there has to be a great deal of contrast between Dany and the Dothraki. She has to look completely different from them. Seeing as how the Dothraki have an Asiatic look, Dany needs to be as white as white can be.

[kimba]

[quote name='silmarilli' post='1602735' date='Nov 28 2008, 19.28']Someone had mentioned Michelle Trachtenberg for Dany, and while she lack the exoticism of Kreuk, she does have a younger and more innocent look.

[url="http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/5531/michelletej6.jpg"]Michelle Before[/url]

[url="http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5893/michelledanyoq8.jpg"]Michelle as Dany[/url]

If anyone has any suggestions for Rhaegar or Viserys I would like to try my hand at one of their makeovers.[/quote]


Well if you are offering...
I had posted in the Court casting thread:
"Karl Urban for Rhaegar [url="http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3993016320/nm0881631"]http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3993016320/nm0881631[/url]
Dude can definitely give some "crazy eyes".

Since Rhaegar is only in a few flashbacks, I think Karl should also play Mad King Aerys II. They are father/son and with enough makeup, they could look different but definitely related. Plus I don't recall a scene where both Rhaegar and Aerys are in the same room.

HBO used Garret Dillahunt for Francis Wolcott and Jack McCall so I know they aren't opposed to using the same actor for two characters."

There are probably better/up-close "in person" pictures of him but there is something about his hair, makeup, and suit in the Riddick picture that adds a lot.

[Ammena Piper]

[quote name='SergioCQH' post='1609208' date='Dec 4 2008, 10.02']I think your originality is commendable, Ammena, but let's face it, most everyone considers the Targaryens to be very white. I'm Asian and I don't want to see the Targaryens looking Asiatic. I agree with Ran that there has to be a great deal of contrast between Dany and the Dothraki. She has to look completely different from them. Seeing as how the Dothraki have an Asiatic look, Dany needs to be as white as white can be.[/quote]

Thanks for the kind words. Just trying to get the Creative Powers That Be to consider thinking outside the box. I highly doubt most people pegged Kristin Kreuk as Chinese or Mark Paul Gosselaar as Indonesian when they first burst on the Hollywood scene. (And I still don't think most people know Wentworth Miller is totally mixed.)

That said, the inner pessimist in me thinks they will cast Dany as 'white' 'white' and 'more white' and Khal Drogo as 'ethnic' 'ethnic' and 'more ethnic'. Personally to me that means... boring. Been there, done that. (Furthermore, the Pessimist tells me they are gonna pull a 'Shawn Ashmore' in 'Earthsea' on this one. Ursula K LeGuin had much to say about that casting....)

In 'Crouching Tiger' they had two ethnically similar actors playing a 'Dany/Drogo' relationship and it still worked. Why? Because it wasn't about skin color or eye shape. It was about the differences in character psyche and background. The differences in cultural behaviour and expectations. For me, that is the deeper and more fulfilling Dany/Drogo relationship. One that goes beyond skin color.

I haven't posted many suggestions for the Dothraki... (and have not seen many), but I've always seen them as a Horse Culture first and foremost and 'ethnic' second. Meaning: There are many horse cultures to compare the Dothraki to the real world. There have been suggestions to go Mongolia, but rarely do folks look to Arabia to cast the Dothraki.... The Americas are a relatively young Horse Culture imho.

I'm still gonna try to champion my favorite Dany: Kristin Kreuk. It would be a shame if they [i]wanted[/i] to cast her, but thought, 'Gee, there are no actors who look like they could be her brothers. Ah well, let's cast Kristin Bell.' To that end, I simply wanted to let Hollywood know that there -are- actors out there who could portray her brothers.

One thing that keeps bothering me is that it truly seems like everyone has forgotten that the Targaryen's in GoT have Dornish blood in them... white white white Icelandic pixie dust does not tell me that at all. I feel it's important for the story as a whole. Otherwise when we see the Dornish who -do- show up in Season Whatever, it's just that they are hotblooded angry swarthy people who want revenge for Princess Elia's murder... and the Conquest of Dorne, Myriah Martell, and the usurpation of close family ties are just ancient ancestral mythos. (side note: The Dornish need to look like they have Targaryen blood in them as well via Daeron II's sister...)

I also feel that the Targaryens -must- look like they do not share family blood with any other House in Westeros. Only House Martell. If they look like Lannister's.... or Stark's... or Arryn's.... Just with purple eyes and silver hair? Sorry, that just won't do it for me.

The one thing I love about GRRM's writing (not just in the 'Song' series) is that he is creative. Plain and simple. I love that he takes me out of the box time and time again. Just trying to be inspired by his creativity and vision and trying to inspire HBO in turn. They have an opportunity to really knock the Entertainment Viewing world off of its sleepy rocking chair.

And of course, in the end all of my suggestions are just that. [i]My[/i] suggestions. I will be happy with whomever they cast just as long as they get the story right. :)

[Venardhi]

I appreciate that you're championing an actor, but since we now know they don't plan to age the characters more than a couple years tops, both Kruek (and Bell for that matter) are now a ways out of their age range. Neither can convincingly play to early/mid teens anymore simply due to the fact that they're in their mid-late 20s and not particularly young looking for their age. Bell could pass as a teenager back on VM, but on Heroes she just looks like a childish 20-something. The last few times I saw Kruek in anything she was definitely starting to look her age too. There must be other bi/tri/multi-racial actresses with the look you're hoping for.

[cybroleach]

[quote name='Ammena Piper' post='1609644' date='Dec 4 2008, 18.48']One thing that keeps bothering me is that it truly seems like everyone has forgotten that the Targaryen's in GoT have Dornish blood in them... white white white Icelandic pixie dust does not tell me that at all. I feel it's important for the story as a whole. Otherwise when we see the Dornish who -do- show up in Season Whatever, it's just that they are hotblooded angry swarthy people who want revenge for Princess Elia's murder... and the Conquest of Dorne, Myriah Martell, and the usurpation of close family ties are just ancient ancestral mythos. (side note: The Dornish need to look like they have Targaryen blood in them as well via Daeron II's sister...)

I also feel that the Targaryens -must- look like they do not share family blood with any other House in Westeros. Only House Martell. If they look like Lannister's.... or Stark's... or [b]Arryn's[/b].... Just with purple eyes and silver hair? Sorry, that just won't do it for me.[/quote]

I think your focusing way to much on this ethnicity hang-up. If it were that important for the story as a whole then we'd see a more ethnic Dany/Vis/Rhaegar/Aerys but what we're discribed are very white ppl. I'm not saying they cant change it up TV wise but saying that it's for the feel of the story is just wrong.

On a side note its strange that this family needs to look so much like the Martell yet their almost as closely related to the Arryn who you can't stand them looking alike. :dunno:

[Ammena Piper]

Good points all around. Again, it's just my personal fantasy 'hangup' as it were. Just trying to shake it up a bit. Take it for what you will.

And yeah, the Targaryen's are related to more than the Martell's. And who knows what the Blackfyre Rebellion (not to mention countless unnamed long-dead male and female Targaryen's) did to the genetic pool...

For a story that deals heavily with the question of paternity and familial lineage, I just feel that they have an opportunity to heighten it on many unexpected levels. (Baratheon's have Targaryen in them..., but with the whole strong-blood line theme... *shrug* IMHO, the only one who knows to what extent Targaryen would dominate Baratheon would be GRRM, certainly not me! Heck, the only one who knows to what extent which House would dominate which House would be GRRM. ...or maybe Jon Arryn ...or whoever that stuffy old Maester was who chronicled that crazy tome. ;) )

Don't get me wrong, I am not naive to how Hollywood works and has worked... They will probably cast it as the majority of the fanbase expects/predicts. Just wanted to let folks know that there are some fans out there who appreciate more than the expected.

If I didn't voice it, then who would? Believe me, I'm not naive enough to have false expectations that they will cast according to my arguments simply because they are my personal 'hangups'.

Again, just trying to shake it up a bit for what it's worth.

[color="#FF0000"](edited to add: Sorry WightMeWorry! I feel like I've hijacked/refocused your thread. I'll take my arguments elsewhere.)[/color]

[WightMeWorry]

No worries :)

If you're serious about a candidate, don't forget to post your suggestions in the pinned casting thread... the producers are actively monitoring them. Here's the link for [url="http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?showtopic=32209"]The East[/url] and [url="http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?showtopic=32211"]The Court[/url]. There may be a few hidden Targaryens lurking elsewhere ;) , but those threads should cover the majority.

The more I think about it... the eyes are the easy part. The hair, if it's too white, it will look like straw and make the Targaryen's look like campy witches or warlocks. And if the color is closer to gold, it's critical that there's a really distinctive facial structure underneath, otherwise they'll just look like surfer dudes (or Lannisters). Some color to the skin might actually help by contrasting with the hair, and really it is consistent with the books (read the Hedge Knight, or re-read Danys journey through the desert if you think they are porcelain dolls). Yes, many of the Targeryans almost otherworldly beautiful, but they are also real flesh and blood people. (but they can't be too dark, otherwise you'd have an R.A. Salvatore novel).

I like the Gael Garcia Bernal as Rhaegar idea. He's one of the best actors of his generation, and definitely can project that air of melancholy. Does he work in English speaking productions? Could he be pried from his usual art film roles?

Anyone want to take a shot at recoloring a pic of him?