Hmm...

[emony]

Film to be made of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

I am re-reading this at the moment. I've always thought it would make a fabulous film. They'll have to cut huge amounts of it out, to keep it a reasonable length, but it'll just be tremendous. Or at least, it has the potential to be tremendous. I hope it lives up to it.

Any suggestions for casting from those who've read the book? I have one or two in mind, but there are some I haven't thought about yet, and I'd be interested to hear other opinions on it all. Assuming anyone else (besides niannah who introduced me to it in the first place) has read it. If you haven't, you should.

Comments

[niennah.livejournal.com]

Alan Davies as Jonathan Strange. I always imagined David Bamber as Mr. Norrell, though he's not exactly slight or anything. He played Mr. Collins in Pride & Prejudice. I didn't have very clear pictures of anyone else.

I wonder who is making it? I hope they don't Americanise it, that would suck.

[emony.livejournal.com]

I quite agree about Alan Davies. No one else will do. I'm not sure about David Bamber. He was just so repulsive (by design) as Mr Collins, I don't think I'd be able to watch him as Mr Norrell without cringing, and I'm sort of oddly fond of Mr Norrell, so I wouldn't want him to be played by someone unsympathetic. That said, I'm sure David Bamber is quite a good actor, and might make a decent job of it.

Who do you think for Arabella? I started thinking of Kate Winslett this morning, but I'm not sure now. And Lascelle and Drawlight? In my head, when I read, they're Colin Firth and Crispin Bonham-Carter, a la Darcy and Bingley, but I don't really think they ought to be in the film, especially with David Bamber in contention - wouldn't do to have a P&P reunion!

As far as I could tell from the website, Susannah Clarke herself is producing or co-producing or something on the film, so I imagine it will be faithful. I think it's being made by a little independent type company, but backed or something by New Line, who did LOTR I think, so it's in good hands. I really must have a JS&MN icon.

[niennah.livejournal.com]

Kiera Knightley could be Mrs. Pole. She's skinny enough and could easily be made pale and wan. I think Arabella would be a sturdier sort of woman, but I can't think who. Hmm. Oh! Helena Bonham-Carter! I like her.

You're right about David Bamber, I suppose, but in my head he simply will continue to play Norrell. I love Colin Firth and Crispin Bonham Carter as Lascelles and Drawlight, and then it could be both a P&P and Bonham-Carter reunion. How lovely! Both for us and them.

I do hope everyone else realises about Alan Davies and the absolute necessity that he play Jonathan Strange.

[emony.livejournal.com]

Yes, Keira Knightley would make a good Mrs Pole. I think they'd probably play "sick" very well, lying about looking languid and such. I agree in your assessment of Arabella, but I think perhaps Helena B-C, much as I like her, is a little too old. Someone like her though.

I'm glad you approve of Colin and Crispin. I always picture them as Lascelles and Drawlight when I'm reading. It amuses me no end. They're like the dark mirror versions of Darcy and Bingley.

They must. I fail to see how they could not realise that *no one else on earth* is qualified to play Jonathan Strange. No one!

[niennah.livejournal.com]

You're probably right about HBC being too old. Rats. She's fabulous. I hope they find someone equally fabulous. I have doubts that such a woman exists. Not Kate Winslet. While I think she's excellent in some movies, I can't quite see her in this. She's played older characters too often, even if she isn't too old herself.

Now I want to read it again to see CF and CBC as Lascelles and Drawlight. Rats.

I think we should register www.alandaviesasjonathanstrange.com. Perhaps it needs hyphens.

[emony.livejournal.com]

To complete the P&P reunion, it could be Jennifer Ehle, but again she's really a bit too old for it by now, I think. I can't think of anyone else at the moment. We'll have to put our minds to it. Perhaps someone unknown, or little known, a la the HP films. They've done okay out of casting lesser known actors, after all.

I agree on the KW front. She's not right for it really. She wouldn't move right.

Aha, you should read it again. It's great. :)

I agree. .com, .co.uk, .org, .tv, .xxx just in case. And with and without hyphens. We must cover all bases, after all. We need to launch this campaign asap to ensure that tptb know what direction to go in.