Looking on the BBC Ceefax entertainment news last night, apparently Mos Def has been cast in the role. A different, but not bad choice in my book, but I guess we’ll see if they make a pie out of the rest of the film or not.
didnt get the chance to thoroughly check it out on the net though. Maybe someone else can shed more light.
You know, I’ve heard the name, but I’ve never actually seen him do anything.
Here’s his IMDB entry:
I don’t necessarily object to casting a black man as Ford, but I do think he’s got to 1) have a british accent (he landed in Islington and is named after a car sold only in Britian) and 2) must not blink very often.
Interesting. I wonder if we’ll get a chance to hear Ford bust some rhymes?
Maybe he can rap the Vogon poetry!
It should’ve been Tricky.
Same look, built in British accent.
Vogon poetry is the third worst poetry in the known universe. If Ford can’t even stand it, why would he be willing to rap it?
Why are they casting Americans in any of the major roles? I hope they get some damn good coaches, because if there are a bunch of people who sound like Americans in this movie, I’m not sure I’ll be able to see it. And I AM an American. Also a purist.
Yeah, if anyone had ever wanted Ford Prefect to be an American, he would have been named Ford Fairlane.
And that would be a great name for a character.
Oh, wait…
I guess this is my current most anticipated film since the 3 LOTR movies came out and I did like Frodo and Sam. I’m as nervous as I was before them but hoping the best.
Who the hell are all these people?
A cast of unknowns isn’t so bad, really. But I have no clue what I’m in for.
From the article linked to by Fern Forest
It is that last line that bodes ill for this project.
I am prepaired to be not only disapointed, but apalled.
[sub]*Italics Mine[/sub]
Oh I did a IMDB search on Karey Kirkpatrick .
This does nothing to help alleviate my feelings of doom here.
Oh, Good Lord! Disney has a hand in this? I’ve given up on it already.
Well, they’ve got an Englishman as Dent ArthurDent
Indeed. I mean, he wrote an excellent adaptation of a very British novel and also Chicken Run, a very British comedy film. No way could he write a good adaptation of a very British comedy novel. :rolleyes:
As for the people bitching about Ford having to be British, get a grip. There’s nothing jarring about Ford posing as an American living in Britain; it would, in fact, be a good way for him to explain why he suddenly appeared out of nowhere fifteen years previous. We also know that Ford must have spent some time in New York (Mos Def’s home city) because his full Guide article on Earth recommends that alien newcomers find work as cab drivers there.
I was just hoping against hope that Alan Rickman would be cast as the voice of Marvin, and that Mike Meyers might take on the role of Zaphod Beeblebrox…
Ah well, it’d be hard to afford 'em nowadays.
Mmm, the new Empire magazine has an article saying Martin Freeman (Tim in The Office) is Arthur Dent, and Bill Nighy is cast as Slartibartfast.
Which I dont think is too bad. Martin Freemans got that dry, resigned style of acting that suits the part, if The Office is anything to go by.
we’ll see.
I wonder who they will get for Zaphod. Or the Whale. 
Old Mike Myers might’ve been good as Zaphod… Cat in the Hat/Shrek/Austin Powers Myers should be kept away at gunpoint.
Mos Def is a weird choice, but not one I object to. He was likeable enough in the Italian Job remake, that’s the only thing I’ve seen him in. I think the part requires major comic talent, but who knows.
I think DNA was on record as saying Arthur HAD to be British, so we’re good there. I think he may’ve said Trillian had to be as well, and Zooey Deschanel (damn, that’s a weird name) is from L.A. But she did go to Northwestern, so she’s got my support. She’s kinda young, though- just turned 24. Ah well. I’m excited this is happening at all, so I’ll roll with the punches. The rewrites don’t surprise me, since the thing wasn’t done when Adams died.
This just in- according to the Beeb, Bill Nighy has been cast as Slartibartfast.
Damn it, I’m never previewing again! 
There are also some rumors that Robert Downey Jr. was offered the role of Zaphod, but that it didn’t work out. Here’s me crossing my fingers for Bruce Campbell.
There is an Adamsian irony about the name . . . Mos Def, I believe, cannot drive.
Is there anything in the books about whether Ford (or any of the other characters) are black or white?
No. By the way, to amend what I said last night, Douglas Adams’ site includes this quote: “'When it comes down to it, my principle is this - Arthur should be British. The rest of the cast should be decided purely on merit and not on nationality.”
It’s also reporting that Warwick Davis is going to play Marvin. It’s even got a picture of him (I guess) getting into costume. Take a gander.