# Mos Def cast as Ford Prefect **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 30, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761 "2004-01-30T15:24:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/1 "2004-01-30T15:24:51Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/2 "2004-01-30T16:23:19Z")
You know, I’ve heard the name, but I’ve never actually seen him do anything. Here’s his IMDB entry: > **[Yasiin Bey - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0080049/)** > > Yasiin Bey, Soundtrack: The Italian Job. Regarded as one of hip-hop's most introspective and insightful artists, Mos Def has shaped a career that transcends music genres and artistic medium. Taking a cue from the Afrocentric stylings of the Native... 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. ---
**Author:** ![gex\_gex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@gex\_gex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gex_gex)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/3 "2004-01-30T16:26:57Z")
Interesting. I wonder if we’ll get a chance to hear Ford bust some rhymes? Maybe he can rap the Vogon poetry! ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/4 "2004-01-30T19:15:56Z")
It should’ve been Tricky. Same look, built in British accent. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/5 "2004-01-30T20:31:58Z")
> [@gex gex](#): > > Interesting. I wonder if we’ll get a chance to hear Ford bust some rhymes? > > Maybe he can rap the Vogon poetry! 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? ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2004, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/6 "2004-01-31T02:18:44Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2004, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/7 "2004-01-31T02:39:06Z")
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… ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/8 "2004-01-31T02:40:26Z")
[article](http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=filmNews&storyID=4235838) 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. ---
**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, 2004, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/9 "2004-01-31T03:19:02Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2004, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/10 "2004-01-31T06:10:42Z")
From the article linked to by **Fern Forest** > [@](#): > > The Disney/Spyglass project begins shooting in April in London under director Garth Jennings. Adams, who died in 2001, adapted his novel for the screen. _After his death, Karey Kirkpatrick came aboard for a rewrite._\* 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] ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2004, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/11 "2004-01-31T06:15:01Z")
Oh I did a IMDB search on [Karey Kirkpatrick](http://imdb.com/name/nm0456732/) . This does nothing to help alleviate my feelings of doom here. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2004, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/12 "2004-01-31T06:23:48Z")
Oh, Good Lord! _Disney_ has a hand in this? I’ve given up on it already. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2004, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/13 "2004-01-31T13:18:38Z")
Well, they’ve got an Englishman as [Dent ArthurDent](http://www.martinfreeman.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2004, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/14 "2004-01-31T13:32:38Z")
> [@Mac Guffin](#): > > Oh I did a IMDB search on [Karey Kirkpatrick](http://imdb.com/name/nm0456732/) . > > This does nothing to help alleviate my feelings of doom here. 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. ---
**Author:** ![KismetRose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c2a13f/32.png) [@KismetRose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KismetRose)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2004, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/15 "2004-02-04T09:02:47Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2004, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/16 "2004-02-04T09:20:45Z")
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. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2004, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/17 "2004-02-04T09:20:53Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2004, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/18 "2004-02-04T09:22:41Z")
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. [Bill Nighy’s IMDb page.](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0631490/) ---
**Author:** ![bbonden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecb155/32.png) [@bbonden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbonden)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2004, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/19 "2004-02-04T22:11:58Z")
> [@vibrotronica](#): > > 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. 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? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2004, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761/20 "2004-02-04T22:31:45Z")
> [@](#): > > 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.](http://douglasadams.com/movie/) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mos-def-cast-as-ford-prefect/226761.md?page=2)