DUNE Fantasy Cast

DUNE Fantasy Cast http://www.imdb.com/list/iHCGd8hzuMA/ This is just for fun, so no flaming in the comments. I suppose there are SPOILERS in some of my explanations. I tried to cast not only great actors, but actors who would be realistically affordable for a movie of this size. Casting A-listers in the supporting/bit parts would break the bank pretty quickly. Look at THE LORD OF THE RINGS... great actors all around, but all relatively affordable (at least at the time). Cate Blanchett and Ian McKellen were probably the highest profile. Save the money for the production value! At some point I might do all of the books, but for now this is just the first one. Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:21:11 GMT Sun, 29 Apr 2012 23:39:25 GMT Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:08:23 GMT Ezra Miller http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3009232/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3009232/ Paul "Muad'Dib" Atreides Picking an actor for Paul is a bit of a lost cause, as they quickly become too old. 21-year old Aaron Johnson was my top pick until I saw the trailer for SAVAGES. He is quickly becoming too old to play the part. So, next up, the immensely talented 19-year-old Ezra Miller of WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN and AFTERSCHOOL. Alternates: Aaron Johnson, Anton Yelchin, Alden Ehrenreich Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:23:33 GMT Kelly Macdonald http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0531808/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0531808/ Lady Jessica Atreides I am mainly casting Kelly Macdonald for her performance in BOARDWALK EMPIRE, where she plays a similarly strong female character whose life is nevertheless defined by a patriarchal societal structure. She is also a master of accents: compare her Irish accent in BE to her Texas accent in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. Could do interesting things with Jessica's powers of voice, perhaps. Alternates: Carice van Houten, Vinessa Shaw Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:23:20 GMT Édgar Ramírez http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1183149/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1183149/ Duke Leto Atreides I picture Duke Leto having a somewhat Mediterranean look to him, based on the etymology of the Atreides name. That said, Ramirez is from Venezuela, but he's still my main choice based off the chameleonic intensity of his performance in CARLOS. He might need to be aged up a few years. Alternates: Javier Bardem, Benicio Del Toro, Viggo Mortensen Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:29:22 GMT Emily Alyn Lind http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3014840/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3014840/ Alia Atreides The age problem is even more futile when casting Alia. Nevertheless, I am casting young Emily Alyn Lind because of her gut-wrenching performance in ENTER THE VOID. Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:30:53 GMT Chiwetel Ejiofor http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0252230/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0252230/ Duncan Idaho OK, so while the books do describe Duncan Idaho as having thick black hair, they don't specifically say he is black. I am extrapolating a bit in my casting for this role, because I think Ejiofor has all the qualities required of a Duncan. See him nail the earnest warrior archetype in REDBELT. As for my alternates, once you go black, you can't go back. Alternates: Idris Elba, Eamonn Walker. Sun, 29 Apr 2012 23:38:18 GMT Mads Mikkelsen http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0586568/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0586568/ Gurney Halleck This is the role where you stick your classic go-to badass. Here's one character where you'd have a whole pile of alternates. Alternates: Ted Levine, Ray Stevenson, Michael Biehn, Robert Patrick, Sam Shepard, William Sadler, Terry O'Quinn, Jason Isaacs, Ed Harris, Jeff Fahey, etc., etc. Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:42:57 GMT Zeljko Ivanek http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0411964/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0411964/ Thufir Hawat As one of the preeminent Mentats in the known universe, Hawat's prime characteristic should be intelligence. An actor that can play calculating brilliance is required. Alternate: Michael Shannon, Jeremy Davies, Anthony Edwards Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:04:52 GMT Clifton Collins Jr. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004286/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004286/ Dr. Wellington Yueh Yueh is a very complex character, and I think Clifton Collins Jr. could nail each aspect: loyal Atreides subject, Harkonnen turncoat and vengeance-seeking widower. Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:34:27 GMT Stellan Skarsgård http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001745/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001745/ Baron Vladimir Harkonnen The instinct is to cast a big fat guy, but any faithful depiction of the Baron would require a fat suit anyway, so why not just cast someone who can chew the scenery with the best of them? Stellan can play bad like no other, and has the uber-Northern European look I associate with House Harkonnen. Alternate: Kurtwood Smith, who comes with an alternate Feyd Rautha. Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:36:19 GMT Joel Kinnaman http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1172478/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1172478/ Feyd Rautha For his Nordic look, resemblance to Skarsgard, and excellent performance as Holder on THE KILLING. Alternate: Michael Shannon (again, so sue me), for his resemblance to Kurtwood Smith. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:11:15 GMT Derek Mears http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0575216/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0575216/ Count Glossu "Beast" Rabban Not much explanation here, other than he's a big evil looking bastard. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:13:06 GMT Michael Wincott http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000699/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000699/ Piter De Vries Could easily play both the extreme intelligence of a Mentat, and the corrupted Harkonnen influence. One of my favorite character actors from the nineties who just seemed to disappear. Alternates: Brad Dourif (why not? well, why not aside from his mispronunciation of "Landsraad"?), Jeff Goldblum Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:15:46 GMT Stephen McHattie http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0570385/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0570385/ Count Hasimir Fenring McHattie is like the Canadian Lance Henriksen. Great character actor, great at playing baddies. Alternate: Lance Henriksen Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:57:54 GMT Mireille Enos http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0257969/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0257969/ Lady Margot Fenring Can you tell I love THE KILLING? Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:08:55 GMT Kevin McKidd http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0571727/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0571727/ Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV Due to spice consumption, the Emperor is described as looking no older than 35, even though he's twice that age. While there are a lot of stately looking 70-year-olds who could play an Emperor, my instinct would be to split the difference, and err on the younger side. Alternate: Daniel Craig Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:16:32 GMT Saoirse Ronan http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1519680/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1519680/ Princess Irulan One of the best young actresses out there, and bears a significant resemblance to Kevin McKidd. Alternate: Jennifer Lawrence. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:17:51 GMT Geraldine Chaplin http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001036/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001036/ Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam A terrific actress, whose rail-thin body and bright, perceptive eyes would be assets in playing a "Bene Gesserit witch". Alternates: Tilda Swinton, Sissy Spacek Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:34:14 GMT Tania Raymonde http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0713389/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0713389/ Chani Has the "elfin features", not much "water fat", and demonstrated an aptitude for running around and kicking ass on LOST. Alternate: Mila Kunis, although she'd be harder to take seriously as a warrior. Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:36:33 GMT Ciarán Hinds http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001354/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001354/ Liet-Kynes I'm trying to evoke a "John Rhys-Davies in RAIDERS" type of vibe with this pick. Alternate: Uhh... John Rhys-Davies. Ben Kingsley. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:38:27 GMT Grace Zabriskie http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0951471/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0951471/ Shadout Mapes A David Lynch favorite! Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:25:02 GMT Cliff Curtis http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0193295/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0193295/ Stilgar Excels at playing stoic warrior types. Alternates: Ashraf Barhom, Oded Fehr, Wes Studi, Sala Baker Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:15:20 GMT Max Minghella http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1540404/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1540404/ Jamis Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:15:49 GMT Melonie Diaz http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0246686/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0246686/ Harah