Actors who look nothing like the character they're playing

We have different ideas of beauty, maybe the casting director thought differently to you.

‘Our House’, which was on tv the other week, had mis-cast characters. In the book, Fi was older, fatter, and blonde I think. She was played by Tuppence Middleton, younger, slimmer, dark haired.
Bram, her husband, was described as tall, over 6 foot.
He was played by Martin Compston, quite short, and no taller than his wife.

Obviously they were first choice for the parts though.

Have never got over Leslie Howard playing Ashley Wilkes in Gone With The Wind. Scarlett O’ Hara would not have picked him over Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) in a month of Sundays, IMHO.

I agree with you I always cast a story I’m reading or imagine the characters. I read the shopaholic books and imagined a different person playing her to who they chose in the movie which made it quite disappointing.

So long as the acting's good I can cope with looks that don't fit with story descriptions or with a mental image I've built up. Must have happened a few gazillion times throughout the history of drama.

No, it’s more important to me that they portray the character’s motivations and actions. If they get the personality right that’s fine with me.

If any of you read the Morse books, you will know that Lewis was a middle-aged man (Welsh?). Nothing like Kevin Whateley.

I think it's all about their ability to portray the character too..

Famous characters have changed race, sexuality and gender but still done a wonderful job of telling the story and its the story that matters

I have never understood why Tom Cruise was cast as Jack Reacher who in the books is described as well over 6’

I watched a film about Iris Murdoch, played by Nichol Kidman, when young and Judy Dench when older. They were both brilliant. Anyone else see it? The actors who played her husband were good too.

GrannyGravy13

I have never understood why Tom Cruise was cast as Jack Reacher who in the books is described as well over 6’

He bought the film rights and therefore cast himself. Even Lee Child has admitted that he wasn't the right actor to play Reacher. I haven't watched the film (films?) with Tom Cruise as I just cannot imagine him being Reacher.

We watched Reacher on Amazon Prime and Alan Ritchson is a much better choice.

Ken Stott is Morse to me, John Hannah is a fine actor, but not gruff Morse.

The actor playing Harry Palmer in ITV's current adaptation of The Ipcress File is no Michael Caine, that's for sure....

Boz

If any of you read the Morse books, you will know that Lewis was a middle-aged man (Welsh?). Nothing like Kevin Whateley.

Morse didn’t equate with John Thaw either, but JT was easier on the eye than the book’s character. Ditto Kevin Whateley. Now both firmly set in those roles for evermore.

Talking of film rights, Clint Eastwood had the monopoly of who played the starring role in The Bridges Of Madison County. As I have posted in the past, sorry Clint, but you were too old!
And Meryl Streep, hopelessly miscast in the same film. Nothing like the sultry Francesca of the book.

SiobhanSharpe

The actor playing Harry Palmer in ITV's current adaptation of The Ipcress File is no Michael Caine, that's for sure....

Son of Michael maybe?

Looks about 12, studying for his GCSE’s?

GrannyGravy13

I have never understood why Tom Cruise was cast as Jack Reacher who in the books is described as well over 6’

Reacher is 6’5” and powerfully built. I read that Tom Cruise paid the studio so he could play Reacher. This may not be true but I watched a movie we’re tiny Tom fought off several bigger man, as Reacher does in the books, with ease. Couldn’t take it seriously.

Have you see. The actor playing Reacher in the Amazon Prime series. That’s more like it

SiobhanSharpe

The actor playing Harry Palmer in ITV's current adaptation of The Ipcress File is no Michael Caine, that's for sure....

Yes but so sexy, like Caine.

GillT57 I think you mean Rebus rather than Morse. And I agree, Ken Scott was a perfect Rebus.
I also agree about TC playing Jack Reacher.

For me, the height of embarrassment was Cliff Richard as Heathcliff.

grannydarkhair

GillT57 I think you mean Rebus rather than Morse. And I agree, Ken Scott was a perfect Rebus.
I also agree about TC playing Jack Reacher.

Oh yes, sorry, was thinking of something else as I posted! Ken Stott is Rebus to me, and as I read the Rankin books, I can hear his voice.

Boz

For me, the height of embarrassment was Cliff Richard as Heathcliff.

Agreed, also another excruciating Cliff moment was during the celebration for (I think) the Queen Mother's 100th birthday, when he was bouncing about singing Congratulations'......and celebrations when I tell everyone that I'm in love with you

cringe

Boz a friend loves Cliff Richard and treated us to tickets to see 'Heathcliff' with her and her husband. I like Cliff's voice, but I agree with you - it was embarassing. We would have left, but had to sit through it as the tickets were a gift!

Poor old Cliff. He means well.

I think The Day of the Jackal is a brilliant film and Edward Fox is perfect for the part but in the book the assassin is tall and blond.

Couldn't stand Jennifer Colman as Queen Victoria, who was well known for being a very plain jane....Jennifer Colman is far too pretty i thought.