# "Dream" Casting for Discworld **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 20, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955 "2011-09-20T15:39:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/101 "2011-09-24T16:15:33Z")
Nevertheless, [this](http://www.pulsarmedia.eu/data/media/287/Denise_Richards_0011_1600X1200_Wallpaper.jpg) is Angua. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/102 "2011-10-16T04:40:11Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Seconding Rickman as the Patrician, Arthur Darvill as Rincewind, John Sim as Carcer or Mister Teatime, David Tennant as Moist von Lipwig, and Brendan Fraser as Carrot. I never cared that much for Carcer as a villain, he always felt a bit tacked on to me, like the reader was supposed to accept him as a match for Vimes just because the story said so. That said, Gene Hackman would make a wonderful Vimes. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/103 "2011-10-16T06:03:24Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > Some characters can get away with changing their appearance more than others. Personally I don’t think it matters what hair colour she has, for example, but I see her as long-legged and Amazonian. > > I predict that whoever does end up playing Angua will be tiny and fragile-looking. Ever since Buffy there seems to be a trend for this in all those kick-arse female roles. That’s part of the reason I’d like to see someone tall and fairly strong in the role - it’d make a change from the norm. Since we’re bringing people back from the dead and picking them at certain points in their lives, how about Lucy Lawless for Angua? She’s even a natural blonde. And I don’t think anyone can argue about her ability to be kick-ass. I like the idea of Helen Mirren in the role of Granny, but I think [Siân Phillips](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0680795/) would be even better. That woman does steely like no other. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/104 "2011-10-16T08:27:15Z")
> [@The\_Tooth](#): > > Nevertheless, [this](http://www.pulsarmedia.eu/data/media/287/Denise_Richards_0011_1600X1200_Wallpaper.jpg) is Angua. Oh, good lord, no. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/105 "2011-10-16T12:30:30Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Since we’re bringing people back from the dead and picking them at certain points in their lives, how about Lucy Lawless for Angua? She’s even a natural blonde. And I don’t think anyone can argue about her ability to be kick-ass. Not the right build, I’d say. Xena-era Lawless was too buff, IMO. Angua shouldn’t be too buff. In RPG terms, she should be a rogue, not a fighter. Not for her acting, just for the look of her, I think that Blake Lively from Gossip Girl looks dead-on. There should be something vaguely Eastern European-supermodel about her, which Lively kind of has. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/106 "2011-10-16T15:27:16Z")
Ron Perlman would make a mean Detritus. Or, remembering his role in _Name of the Rose_, a mean Igor. I’d kinda see [this guy](http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3655634688/nm0428055) as Nobby, but he doesn’t have the right voice. I think Nobby should have a squeaky, snivelly tone. Jackie Chan would be a good Two-Flowers - he does cheerful candid pretty well. Moist Von Lipwig beats the hell out of me though. He’s got to be at the same time everybody-looking with no distinctive features, and look like he could steal your gold teeth while you’re sitting in the next room. And sweep your gal off her feet while he’s at it. Maybe a young Al Pacino ? He does look shifty as hell and is suitably charismatic, but I don’t think he \*can \*do low-key. [QUOTE=Liche] Igors - Bill Bailey [/QUOTE] Actually, I’d see him more in the Bursar’s role, what with him always acting and talking like he \*should \*be on dried frog pills. But he does lead me to Dylan Moran by way of _Black Books_. Moran would make a cool Rincewind, I think. Or perhaps a Mort ? [QUOTE=Full Metal Lotus] No one has suggested a possible actor for Death.. Mostly voice talent, as it would have to be a CGI Character… Basil Rathbone…? [/QUOTE] James Earl Jones is the only logical choice here. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/107 "2011-10-16T20:45:12Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Moist Von Lipwig beats the hell out of me though. He’s got to be at the same time everybody-looking with no distinctive features, and look like he could steal your gold teeth while you’re sitting in the next room. And sweep your gal off her feet while he’s at it. Maybe a young Al Pacino ? He does look shifty as hell and is suitably charismatic, but I don’t think he \*can \*do low-key. Edward Norton? ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/108 "2011-10-16T23:23:33Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > James Earl Jones is the only logical choice here. He’s a good choice, but he’s overused. How about [Thurl Ravenscroft](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0712391/)? Although, really, like Jones, his voice is highly expressive. You want a pretty much flat affect, or close enough to make no never mind. Leonard Nimoy in full on Spock mode might make it. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/109 "2011-10-17T01:22:02Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Edward Norton? Hmm, right track, but he lacks the… friendliness ? Cheerfulness ? He’s kind of distant, isn’t he ? I was thinking Teller (of Penn & Teller), owner of the most innocent smile I’ve ever seen ; but of course he’d have to talk, which is against his rules. That said, Penn could work if he lost some weight, I think. Another who could do the trick is that guy from _The West Wing_, [Rob Lowe](http://connect.in.com/rob-lowe/photos-726-22546133.html). Now here’s a guy you could tell where you hid your gold, and blame someone else when the gold goes missing ! ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/110 "2011-10-17T04:22:09Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Moist Von Lipwig beats the hell out of me though. He’s got to be at the same time everybody-looking with no distinctive features, and look like he could steal your gold teeth while you’re sitting in the next room. And sweep your gal off her feet while he’s at it. Someone named David Tennant before, and I think he would be ideal: he does the manic making it up as he goes along and sweeping everyone else up in his own exuberance so well, but critically also the introspection and self-doubt. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/111 "2011-10-17T08:28:36Z")
In addition to Tennant, I could see either Robert Downey Jr or John Cusack as Moist. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/112 "2011-10-19T18:15:13Z")
Robert Downey, Jr. as Havelock Vetinari (the Patrician). ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/113 "2011-12-27T12:53:25Z")
Just doing a little grave-digging on this thread to remark - anyone catch the recent [Going Postal](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219817/fullcredits#cast) made for TV? Has been on here the last couple of weeks. Frankly I think a lot of the casting in this thread is a cut above what they’ve achieved in Real Life, but Charles Dance makes a great Vetinari, Claire Foy is a natural for Adora Belle, and Andrew Sachs is an inspired Junior Postman Groat ---
**Author:** ![CastleAnthrax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@CastleAnthrax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastleAnthrax)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/114 "2012-01-31T07:02:36Z")
James Nesbitt for Vimes. I agree with Brendan Fraser for Carrot. Nanny Ogg- Joanna Lumley. Young for it but she has the right vibe. Patrick Warburton as Detritus. Billie Piper as Cheery Littlebottom. David Tennant as Moist. John Cleese as Colon. Benedict Cumberbatch as Death. Gwyneth Paltrow as Angua. Terry Jones as Dibbler. ---
**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:** [January 31, 2012, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/115 "2012-01-31T08:11:46Z")
> [@HennaDancer](#): > > John Cleese as Colon. Er… Really? ---
**Author:** ![Hogfather65](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7bcc69/32.png) [@Hogfather65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hogfather65)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/116 "2012-01-31T08:50:19Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Er… Really? Was about to say the same ??? and Billie Piper as Cheery Littlebottom? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/117 "2012-01-31T10:05:01Z")
> [@Hogfather65](#): > > and Billie Piper as Cheery Littlebottom? You would prefer Janette Krankie? :gd&r: ---
**Author:** ![Hogfather65](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7bcc69/32.png) [@Hogfather65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hogfather65)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/118 "2012-01-31T10:30:40Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > You would prefer Janette Krankie? > > :gd&r: I would prefer Meredith Eaton - great, strong and cute. ---
**Author:** ![CastleAnthrax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@CastleAnthrax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastleAnthrax)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/119 "2012-01-31T15:03:00Z")
Obviously Cheery is hard to cast, because she’s a dwarf after all, but yeah. She’s, you know, plucky. And Cleese is how I’ve always pictured Colon. That bumbling use of bigger words than he knows what they mean is just perfect. Why doesn’t he work? Russell Brand as Rincewind. Tim Curry as Ridcully. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955/120 "2012-01-31T15:18:00Z")
> [@HennaDancer](#): > > Obviously Cheery is hard to cast, because she’s a dwarf after all, but yeah. She’s, you know, plucky. And Cleese is how I’ve always pictured Colon. That bumbling use of bigger words than he knows what they mean is just perfect. Why doesn’t he work? > Russell Brand as Rincewind. > Tim Curry as Ridcully. Wow. Your vision of the characters couldn’t possibly be further than mine. It’s like you’re suggesting who would be the worst possible actor for those roles. Obviously, your opinion is just as valid as mine and all that, but it’s surprising just how different it is. Is John Cleese known for bumbling mis-use of big words? 😕 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-casting-for-discworld/596955.md?page=7)