If there was a movie?

[devilsgrin]

Here is a cast list i'd like to see if ever there was/were a Belgariad film/s made
Garion: This is the hardest role of all to cast. For the older Garion i do actually like Hayden Christensen...younger though would need to be unknown or (jj) Jesse McCartney...actually he could work out... right look, can act better than hayden...
Belgarath: Michael Caine - saw this suggested earlier it seems the most perfect fit i've heard
Polgara: While several fit the looks, few have the warmth or wisdom required. However I'd choose Catherine Zeta-Jones over Angelina Jolie or Lucy Lawless...I can't imagine Mrs Smith/Lara Croft or Xena as a demi-goddess.
Silk: Johnny Depp would be great, but a role for him would have to be beefed up more than even Silk has...
Barak: I really like Brendan Gleeson as Barak, big, red-haired, slightly scary but friendly looking still
Durnik: i always saw Durnik as being in his forties (though he's in his fifties)...remember Silk is in his forties - check the dates given in Belgarath to work out the ages. So in look Mel Gibson surely would be a great Durnik, BUT like Depp the role would have to overshadow the rest of the cast. The role would have to be de-aged to make a better match with Polgara...
Ce'Nedra: though i have an aversion to casting lead actors from major franchises... Emily Watson does have the perfect look for this role. Or perhaps a red-haired Dakota Fanning - she's getting to the right age and is a superb actress, could easily play extremely spoilt, overbearingly difficult brat.

On a side note, i just have to ask a general question... When people are casting for this movie...or any other book to screen dreamfilm, why do they always try to carbon copy all the cast from other major franchises that are book to screen adaptations? Surely some originality isn't difficult...

[Valkyrja]

haha! i was thinking about this some time ago myself! funny to read someone else had the same thoughts.

Viggo Mortensen would be a great Mandorallen!! if he uses the looks he had in lotr, the curly hair and stuff. Depp would also do a great job as Silk.
and the rest of the crew.. i have no idea. i'm sure there are people in this world who would have the exact looks (as how i see them in front of me that is) and they don't have to be famous actors. of all famous actors, with the exception of Viggo and Depp, i think none would fit.

[SmoothasSilk]

Here's who I'd like in Belgariad!

Richard Briers as Belgarath, he has that twinkle and sparkle of mischeif.

Liv Tyler as Polgara - tall, long raven hair blue eyes pale skin... I think she'd be perfect.

Warwick Davies as Beldin (who else? It's about time Mr Davies played someone a bit more grown up!)

Silk - Johnny Depp. Need I say more.

Mandorallen - Clive Owen

Barak - John Rhys Davies

Torak - Orlando Bloom, it's about time he played someone evil I think, just to prove his acting skills.

Ce'Nedra - an Unknown, I can't think of anyone famous that could be made to look like her.

Garion - Tom Felton, older Garion, an unknown for younger Garion.

Durnik - Sean Astin

Lelldorin - Rupert Grint

Adara - Anna Popplewell

Zakath - Jason Isaacs

Taiba - Angelina Jolie (not a fan of hers by the way, but I think she'd fit this role perfectly.)

That's all I can think of for now, BUT I will keep you posted when I think of more.

[Steffi]

Some good choices there...Why didn't I think of Richard Briars....good one.

[SmoothasSilk]

Thank you, how about Alan Rickman as Relg? I am a huge Rickmanite and think he'd be brilliant. I also think that Jessica Stevenson would be a good Merel.

[Steffi]

I'm a huge fan of Alan Rickman too....but I thought he'd make a great Zeder....but Relg is good

[SmoothasSilk]

Let Alan play a good guy for once.

[devilsgrin]

but he plays evil so well! Besides, Zedar is not evil... he's divided by necessity. It allows for lots of torn decisions and Alan Rickman could do that very well... although as per my earlier post... book to film franchises... though in Rickmans case, he IS a good enough actor to make us forget he was Snape, and then also, Zedar looks much older... He is second only to Belgarath in age, and looks alarmingly like him.

[Slim615]

Originally Posted by Princess Ivy

if they decided to imortalise the belgarid in film, who would play each character?
I've found the perfect actor to play silk - david spade, and he looks the part (appologies to our silk)

I think the perfect actor to play Belgarath would be Sean Connery!!!

[Talysia]

I'd love to see a movie based on Eddings' novels, but I think I'd prefer a cast of largely unknown actors.

[devilsgrin]

i'm in general agreement talysia. Though known actors would be preferable to complete unknowns for most of the roles. With Garion and perhaps Ce'Nedra as exceptions, the other roles should go to proven actors. Not necessarily block buster stars, but people we "might" recognise from another good film or tv show.

Liv Tyler as Polgara! OMG! I'd rather die (and i mean that) than see her play Polgara! She's one of the most awful actresses around. The look is in the general area of right... but she's MUCH too soft and pouty looking to play the iron willed Polgara the Sorceress, Duchess of Erat, Disciple of Aldur and Guardian of the Heirs of Riva. She was a good (barely passable) Arwen, but i've yet to see her in a movie that she could be said to have given a great performance in.

[Talysia]

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I agree that it would be better for at least established actors/actresses to get some of the major roles, but I wouldn't want them to be the big name Hollywood stars. Recognizable from tv is fine with me.
I agree about Liv Tyler, too. She may seem to look the part, but I don't think she has enough 'stage presence' to play a character like Polgara.

[HappyHippo]

I've always seen Polgara as being portrayed by Angelina Jolie; steely glint, determined chin and all. But I would posit Rachel Weisz as an alternative, because she is a stonkingly good actress. Possibly Famke Janssen in third place?

John Barrowman from torchwood would be a wonderfully chivalric(?) Mandorallen.

OOh, thinking of torchwood, Burn gorman is very silk-like I think, all small and weaselly...

I did like the idea of Orladno Bloom as Torak, torak is meant to be the most beautiful being alive (and I always see him as quite bland in his evilness).

Could we dig Richard O'brien out of retirement for Sadi? not just because he's bald, but becuase Sadi has such wry humour and he's quite dark (for Eddings).

*edit* Joel HAyley Osment for older Errand... y'know, looking for that etheral, mystic innocent look?

[angelic]

i don't think that sean connery could pull belgareth off convincingly enough 4 me but maybe john hurt instead and as 4 polgara catherine zeta jones is a must.

[Talysia]

HappyHippo, I completely agree about casting Richard O'brien as Sadi. Genius!