Was that picture Cleo? WOW!!! And she can act you say?? You know, that IS the most important part .....

GB

Stunning! Can she act?

Odo

I believe so... she's(Cleo) realitivley unknown. She was in a show called H2O about mermaids but she wasn't bad at acting. she has a nice australian accent that could easily be morphed. AND she's very pretty...
we would have to audition her for sure, but yes... i think she's a good choice to
What about beren? who do you GENTLEMEN have in mind?

What about Ben Barnes? He was quite good in Prince Caspian. He definitely has a brooding/tragic quality, is quite handsome and he has some Medieval Period acting experience .

Though, come to think about it, now that Skandar Keynes (Edmund) is getting older, he would be the perfect age by the time we might be able to get this off the ground, and he is a brilliant young actor. He can do sympathetic and seething, tragic and passionate.

I also like the young actors on the TV show Merlin very much: Colin Morgan (Merlin) and Bradley James (Arthur). They also both have an air of tragedy about them.

Anyway, just a couple of ideas.

GB

Oh, another possibility for Beren, I quite like Russel Brand (Primeval). Yes, I know he's more of a comic, but he has displayed quite a good acting range on Primeval. And I think he has the right sort of look. He also has that brooding quality. With longish hair and unshaven, I could see him in a Middle Earth setting easily.

GB

Ben Barnes got a bad review in some quarters for Caspian, but I don't agree, I think he's actually a great prospect.

Those guys from Merlin I'm just not sure about.

Skandar Keynes (great name that!) might make a good Gorlim. He could easily cut a lovelorn desperate figure, I think.

I don't know Russell Brand, so will have to research him.

Odo

I think most of the people against Barnes were "purists" , who thought that Caspian should have been younger and blonder as in the books. Not to mention they felt his character was reverent enough to King Peter . In any case, he was brilliant as the FILM version of Caspian. And thinking about how he played Caspian, I think he's at least in the running for Beren.

If Keynes were much older I could see him as Gorlim. But it's a small part as he would be killed off very quickly.

I just threw the Merlin Guys in because I personally think they are awesome . But it's a bit of a low budget programme, so not everyone might feel as I do.

Speaking of Merlin, how about the guy that plays Uther (I think his name is Anthony Head)? Perhaps as Barahir?

Russell Brand is a bit out of left-field, as he usually plays humourous roles. However his role in Primeval expanded as the series went on. If you find one of the later episodes online, check it out and let me know what you think. I've seen him with long hair and a scraggy beard, he looks like stepped right out of a Medieval or Renaissance Fair.

GB

I have never seen Primeval. I don't know even if it's been on the telly in Australia.

If its Keynes, does it matter if he's killed off early? The idea is to have the best actor for all our roles. we're making a Classic movie, remember!
We must feel something for Gorlim. Good acting is the only answer to that!

I don't watch Merlin, (except in passing), so I don't know the guy who plays Uther. Is Merlin actually any good? Looks kind of boring to me.

I'll check for Russell Brand.

Oh yes, I like Ben Barnes for Beren - but let's not be hasty...

Odo

Yes...let's not (be hasty). And good point regarding best bloke (or gal) for whichever part we're casting. Even if it is...especially if it is...someone I'd rather see live.

What I like about Merlin is it's a complete revisioning of the old Arthurian Romances. I'm tempted to say that it's an Alternate Universe version, but everyone has always put their own spin on the Myth anyway. Also it's a nice blend of humour and drama, and the characters are all well done. The special effects are second tier (though frankly todays second rate is yesteryears top-rate). There isn't always a lot of combat, hence it can seem slow if compared to the high octane intensity of American TV. But it makes up for less action by actually having good stories and good acting.

That's why I like the main characters, they actually draw you in and make you care about them. But I can understand why some people aren't into the show.

I'm not certain, but you might be able to find episodes of Primeval online.

GB

Thanks GB. I think Beren and Luthien should not be our hardest choices in the end.

But Morgoth!

Yea! It's Morgoth I worry about!

For some reason I see him as more earthly than Sauron, maybe even dirty looking in his armour, as he sits hunched slightly on his fire-lit throne with his head held down (physically and spiritually) by the weight of his iron Silmaril-encrusted crown. But who, Old Son, who should play him?

Odo