Let's Do The Casting Right This Time

[redbrunja]

Okay, so you know the show The Dresden Files? And how it was Made Of Fail from the opening scene when Harry was having casual sex with a random waitress? And then to add insult to injury Murphy was brunette? (If you don't, count yourself lucky.)

Anyway, I have been trying to do fantasy casting since I was a couple books into my reread. I'm actually pretty damn stumped, so I'm throwing the question to you, dear flist:

Give me your ideal casting for The Dresden Files.

That said, I do know who should play two of the characters.

Yvonne Strahovski as Lt Karrin Murphey






 



She's got enough range to be both hardcore and vulnerable, looks fantastic in SWAT gear, looks like an adult, is blonde and petite - making her perfect for the visual dichotomy of this short, female police officer going up against loup-garou's, plant monsters and vampires of the Red Court.

Angelina Jolie as Lara Raith







Do I actually need to explain? Because I don't think I have the 3,000 words to go with the photos.

Comments

[strange_quark]

I don't know Dresden files and so can't comment on that, but I'm just going to say that every time I think that Angelina Jolie is not my thing I see stuff like the first two photos and realize that I was very much mistaken.

*Just. Stares at them. For a while.*

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

She's kind of awesome. And she's really seemed cool in the interviews I've read with her. (Actually, in general, I try to avoid interviews with actors for fear of finding out that I don't like who they really are.)

[qualapec.livejournal.com]

I'd support Angelina Jolie as a casting choice for Lara Raith.

I have three...

1. What's-his-name who played Xander on BtVS. Character wise, he could pull Harry off.

2. John Schneider as Michael. He was Jonathon Kent on Smallville, and he's also quite religious himself. Also, he kind of has that 'working man' thing going for him like Michael does.

3. Don't know if you've watched Warehouse 13, but a girl who just showed up on there as a cast member is dead-on Molly. She has the counter culture style, and she plays the rebel well.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Jolie would be so awesome as Laura Raith.

I'm not sure about Xander's actor for Harry. I don't know if he'd have the gravitas to pull it off, you know?

But I think John Schneider would be a good call as Michael. I'd love to see a picture of who you'd like to play Molly, if you have one.

[qualapec.livejournal.com]

I think he could, but I myself have a hard time picturing him as anyone BUT XANDER. But...I can't think of a perfect cast for Harry, really.

I looked it up. The actress' name is Allison Scagliotti and her character on Warehouse 13 is Claudia. Basically, Claudia was a young girl who lost her brother in an accident when he tried to perfect teleportation (I think). She breaks into the Warehouse with her mad hacker skills and kidnaps one of the hero characters. The character is kind of like Molly from the standpoint that she utilizes her talents in a rogue way, but she often does it for what seem like the right reasons at the time. Here are links to pics:

http://www.tvovermind.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/NUP_134149_0068.jpg

http://tvblog.ugo.com/cm/ugo/images/claudia-warehouse-13.jpg

http://thumbnails.hulu.com/19/594/100267_512x288_generated__NeHr-IHJY0OKVtjdwf2jug.jpg

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Oh, you're right! She would TOTALLY be a perfect Molly.

And I'm the same way - I think I was just think XANDER every time that character showed up.

[qualapec.livejournal.com]

Another one occurred to me while I was watching Serenity on the plane (BTW, the "Was that the primary buffer panel?" scene isn't the best for air travel). And I realized Simon Tam's actor might be a good one for Thomas. He's hot enough, has the hair, and it isn't like it would be THAT hard to pull off a sexually loose character. There IS also the big-brother element, even though it's COMPLETELY different...it seems like a contributing factor.

And for Kincaid. Josh Holloway from LOST.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0391326/

He'd need to clean up some, but I think he could pull it off. His hair is downright perfect for my mental image.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

BTW, the "Was that the primary buffer panel?" scene isn't the best for air travel

I watched an episode of Alias where Sydney blew up a plane and then parachuted out on the flight to France. Also possibly not the best choice for in-flight entertainment.

And I realized Simon Tam's actor might be a good one for Thomas. He's hot enough, has the hair, and it isn't like it would be THAT hard to pull off a sexually loose character.

Sean Mahr would be FANTASTIC. Have you seen him in any of the interviews? When they spike up his hair a bit? *rarw* *pouces*

And for Kincaid. Josh Holloway from LOST.

OH MY GOD YES. YES YES YES. JUST GIVE HIM A SHAVE AND HE'S GOOD TO GO. PLUS, CAN YOU IMAGINE THE HOTNESS OF YVONNE STRAHOVSKI AND HIM MAKING OUT?

*dies*

[nessataleweaver.livejournal.com]

Actually, in some ways I thought that they cast TDF pretty well. (the scripts, on the other hand... *wince*) I actually liked Valerie Cruz as Murphy - yeah, she's nothing like the physical description, but she got the Murphy *attitude* down right - to be honest, I was a lot more afraid that they were going to put her in a mini and heels! (I understand the comment you made somewhere about the 'Scully' thing; but Murphy really was very Scully until book 3 or so. I was hoping that if TDF lasted the full 22 eps they would have had her coming around). I liked Paul Blackthorne as Harry, too, and thought that Terence Mann did a *fantastic* job as Bob.

As for dream casting? Believe it or not, I didn't even think about Yvonne as Murphy until you pointed it out. But that would SO work. Lara? Hah, I was picturing Angelina during my very first readthrough of Blood rites! Not to mention, from what I've heard about Jolie personally, I think she'd love to play the part if they ever asked her.
Harry? Hmm... I would have said Sean Maher could do it, if he wasn't so damn pretty. Which I suppose would make him even better for Thomas. I wonder... did you know that James Marsters was offered the role originally? Due to his awesomesauce performance of the audiobooks (he turned them down because he didn't want to move to Canada for the filming).
I like Dakota Fanning for Molly. Her performance in the Runaways and Push shows that she can bring the 'tude.

[nessataleweaver.livejournal.com]

Oh, I almost forgot!!! Ken Watanabe for Shiro!
Michelle Rodriguez for Susan.
In another five years or so, I wouldn't mind Joseph Gordon-Levitt for Harry (that maybe because I'm totally in love with his talent as an actor.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Actually, in some ways I thought that they cast TDF pretty well. (the scripts, on the other hand... *wince*)

See, for me it's really hard to separate the scripts (what the characters were doing) with the actors (what the characters looked like). I will admit that Terence Mann did a good job with Bob as written for the show, but I missed the pervy-ness of the book version.

I would have said Sean Maher could do it, if he wasn't so damn pretty. Which I suppose would make him even better for Thomas.

If Sean Maher played Thomas I would DIE OF AWESOME.

I really need to listen to the audiobooks.

I like Dakota Fanning for Molly. Her performance in the Runaways and Push shows that she can bring the 'tude.

Agreed. She'd be perfect for the role.