# Casting Call for Discworld **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 5, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901 "2015-02-05T16:22:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/21 "2015-02-06T04:13:40Z")
For the record, in an interview, PTerry said he envisioned Rickman as Vetinari. I’m not going to disagree with a Knight. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/22 "2015-02-06T04:40:35Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Sybil is a large lady by every description I can recall. Depending on which book this movie/series is starting with seem should be anywhere from mid 40s to early 50s. No, no, she’s still (just) young enough for childbearing. I say no older than 40 when she meets Vimes, making her 43 or so when she bears Young Vimes. Even at that age her pregnancy was dangerous (might not be on Roundworld, but Discworld has only basic medical science and it never seems to occur to anyone to call in a wizard instead of a doctor). ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/23 "2015-02-06T04:42:01Z")
Any nominations for Casanunda? Danny DeVito’s too old and too tall . . . ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/24 "2015-02-06T04:44:13Z")
> [@Unpronounceable](#): > > What? No, they’re not - Lily was older, but looked younger. Perhaps I’m basing my memory on a Kidby drawing I saw of Esme and Lily (what else?) glaring at each other; they looked utterly identical except for clothing. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/25 "2015-02-06T04:45:41Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > For the record, in an interview, PTerry said he envisioned Rickman as Vetinari. I’m not going to disagree with a Knight. Rickman would be perfect; Vetinari is Snape In Power. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/26 "2015-02-06T04:48:26Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Any nominations for Casanunda? Danny DeVito’s too old and too tall . . . OTOH, DeVito could do a perfectly passable C.M.O.T. Dibbler if he could only master the Ankh-Morpork equivalent of Cockney (i.e., Cockney). ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/27 "2015-02-06T04:51:21Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Ponder Stibbons - Daniel Radcliffe just looks the role. No, he doesn’t, he’s too good-looking. We need somebody fatter, softer and pastier. Acne scars would help. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/28 "2015-02-06T05:24:32Z")
Melissa Rauch as Cheery Littlebottom? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/29 "2015-02-06T05:27:44Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Perhaps I’m basing my memory on a Kidby drawing I saw of Esme and Lily (what else?) glaring at each other; they looked utterly identical except for clothing. No, they’re identical - hence the whole mirror theme of _Witches Abroad._ > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > (might not be on Roundworld, but Discworld has only basic medical science and it never seems to occur to anyone to call in a wizard instead of a doctor). A wizard!? Are you insane? Who knows what one of those would do? No, what they should have called was a _witch_. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/30 "2015-02-06T05:34:08Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > A wizard!? Are you insane? Who knows what one of those would do? > > No, what they should have called was a _witch_. Well, yeah, but we’re talking about Ankh-Morpork, where witches are hard to find but wizards easy. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/31 "2015-02-06T05:56:30Z")
Here’s my [Pinterest board](https://www.pinterest.com/guanolad/discworld-casting/) on this. I also wrote [a blog post](http://guanolad.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/casting-ankh-morpork-city-watch.html) a few years ago about it. Here are my favourite choices: Commander Sam Vimes - Jack Dee Captain Carrot Ironfoundersson - Tom Hopper Sgt Angua von Uberwald - Natalie Dormer Lady Sybil Vimes - Liza Tarbuck Sgt Fred Colon - Angus Barnett Corporal Nobby Nobbs - Eddie Marsan Sgt Cheery Littlebottom - Kiruna Stamell Constable Visit-the-Infidel-with-Explanatory-Pamphlets - Robert Webb Granny Esme Weatherwax - Caroline Blakiston Nanny Ogg - Miriam Margolyes Magrat Garlick - Sophie McShera Archcancellor Ridcully - Brian Blessed Rincewind - Arthur Darvill ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/32 "2015-02-06T06:06:42Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Well, yeah, but we’re talking about Ankh-Morpork, where witches are hard to find but wizards easy. Also, perhaps . . . we are talking about things wizards can do but witches can’t. Not because wizards are mightier, but because they’re crazier. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/33 "2015-02-06T06:14:27Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Could Judi Dench play Sybil Ramkin Vimes? Or does it need someone bigger and taller? I see Lady Lady Sybil as generously proportioned but not rotund. Minnie Driver might be a good choice. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/34 "2015-02-06T08:14:05Z")
How about Ray Stevenson as Vimes? ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/35 "2015-02-06T13:13:34Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Any nominations for Casanunda? Danny DeVito’s too old and too tall . . . [Peter Dinklage](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Dinklage), obviously! ---
**Author:** ![Unpronounceable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9de0a6/32.png) [@Unpronounceable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unpronounceable)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/36 "2015-02-06T16:49:49Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > No, they’re identical - hence the whole mirror theme of _Witches Abroad._ Sigh, I’m gonna have to go though that book again, but you’re wrong - Lily ran away while Esme was still quite young. Note that Nanny didn’t remember Lily _at all_ despite being Granny’s friend from at least early puberty. edit: I recall some of the inner dialog referencing that Lily’s being bad had weathered her less than the other witches. ---
**Author:** ![Unpronounceable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9de0a6/32.png) [@Unpronounceable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unpronounceable)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/37 "2015-02-06T16:58:09Z")
Oh, and even if they had been identical to begin with, Lily would have been at least a decade older because of the events of Wyrd Sisters. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/38 "2015-02-06T21:50:38Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > No, no, she’s still (just) young enough for childbearing. I say no older than 40 when she meets Vimes, making her 43 or so when she bears Young Vimes. Even at that age her pregnancy was dangerous (might not be on Roundworld, but Discworld has only basic medical science and it never seems to occur to anyone to call in a wizard instead of a doctor). The ages are about right, in the last book, (Snuff) Young Vimes is now 5 I believe so that would put Sybil for that story at 48+. > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Rickman would be perfect; Vetinari is Snape In Power. I agree. > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [QUOTE=Ranger Jeff] > Ponder Stibbons - Daniel Radcliffe just looks the role. No, he doesn’t, he’s too good-looking. We need somebody fatter, softer and pastier. Acne scars would help. [/QUOTE] Ponder was the only not fat wizard from what I recall. If anything he might be more of the pencil-neck geek type. > [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Melissa Rauch as Cheery Littlebottom? Cheery is bearded and not particularly cute from her description. A male actor might be more appropriate. Melissa is cute and even her natural voice is high pitched though nothing as bad as Dr. Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz. > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I see Lady Lady Sybil as generously proportioned but not rotund. Minnie Driver might be a good choice. Really, Minnie Driver? She has the height but she she seems far to slim. > [@JoseB](#): > > [Peter Dinklage](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Dinklage), obviously! I like it. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/39 "2015-02-06T22:19:56Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Ponder was the only not fat wizard from what I recall. If anything he might be more of the pencil-neck geek type. Well, I recall (from memory) that he was described as fat in _Lords and Ladies_ (his second appearance in the series; the first was in _Moving Pictures)._ “Ponder Stibbons knew exactly what he wanted to with his life, and basically it was to spend the next hundred years of it in the University, eating huge meals and moving as little as possible in between. People were always telling him he should make something of his life, and that was exactly what he intended on doing. He wanted to made a bed of it.” However, he soon got over his laziness, became the hardest-working wizard on the faculty (which does not necessarily imply getting any physical exercise), and [Kidby does not draw him as fat. Nor thin.](http://wiki.lspace.org/mediawiki/Ponder_Stibbons) ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901/40 "2015-02-06T23:26:37Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I could see Helen Mirren as Granny Weatherwax too. > > I don’t think of Sybil as being particularly tall, but I don’t envision her as short either. Around 5’7" sounds right to me. I can’t see Rosie O’Donnell playing her, though. Lady Sybil has high class, even when she’s mucking out the dragon stable, and I don’t think Rosie is a good enough actress to do that. As for Rosie’s body type, close, but again, no. > > … Agree. Rosie O’Donnell only plays Rosie O’Donnell. She’s a comedian, not an actress, regardless of having been in a few movies. Don’t let her anywhere near Discworld. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casting-call-for-discworld/711901.md?page=3)