Johnny Depp image picture

Johnny Depp

With the rumors of Tim Burton involvement on the 2013 version people started to ask “Well,What character is Johnny Depp going to play?” Since Burton more often than now casts Depp for his movies? But it is a an interesting question, Who should Johnny Depp play if he were casted in a Hunchback movie?

Johnny Depp picture image

Johnny Depp

 

Johnny Depp is a very versatile actor. He could play a few characters in a Hunchback version. He could play Gringoire, Clopin or Frollo. Though personally I think he would do the best as Clopin. The role of Clopin can be made into a bigger role pending on the writing. With Gringoire I feel a younger and more naive actor would be better and with Frollo, Depp doesn’t have an cold, austere look to him so I think he better suited to Clopin.

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack  Sparrow from The Pirates of the Caribbean   picture image

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow from The Pirates of the Caribbean

 

I could see Depp giving Clopin like a Jack Sparrow vibe where he can be a chaotic neutral.  But I think he could do something different for him as an actor and give Clopin a new bent and he could make his own.

Johnny Depp picture image picture

Johnny Depp

Typically when I do hypothetical casting posts it’s because I think a specific actor or actress would be a good choice for a certain character in the Hunchback Notre Dame. This post however is different. It’s the opposite.

Megan Fox picture image

Megan Fox

Megan Fox, for whatever reason, is for some people an ideal choice for Esmeralda. Now I’m not going to criticize those people. Instead I’m going make a little bit of a generalization. The people who think Fox should play Esmeralda are looking at the character from the Disney perspective; that she is a strong, independent, sexually-aware women. While I guess Fox “embodies” those traits let’s not forget that she isn’t know for her acting prowess.

Fox’s major function in the media is to be lusted after. The truth is Fox isn’t a decent actress. I’m not a great fan of Demi Moore but she can act circles around Fox, I mean she was great in Ghost. But more than that, Moore has a tenderness which did come through in her Esmeralda. Fox doesn’t seem to have anything that makes her a compelling actress outside her physical appearance.

Megan Fox image picture

Megan Fox

 

Depending on how the movie chooses to depict Esmeralda, it’s not difficult role to play. It would be harder if a movie made her like she is the in book since it would take a charismatic actress to make her likable and sympathetic. But the movies goes with the easier approach that she is  kind, strong-willed, independent, and sexy. Even if it’s an easy  role that doesn’t mean that a movie can cast someone solely on looks. There needs to be some charm to actress and not just an overly sexualized lady who poses in front of camera and spout off a lines.

 

Megan Fox picture image

Megan Fox

 

So being that Fox is for some people an ideal Esmeralda  and she stared with Josh Brolin in Jonah Hex I feel compelled to voice my opinion on her playing Esmeralda; No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No!!!

Alan Rickman picture image

Alan Rickman

A popular casting choice for Frollo is Alan Rickman. Rickman is best known for playing Professor Snape in theHarry Potter Movies . He has also played Colonel Brandon in the 1995 version of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, The Sheriff of Nottingham in the 1991 version of Robin Hood (Prince of Thieves) and Rasputin in Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny.

Alan Rickman as Professor Severus Snape from Harry Potter picture image

Alan Rickman as Professor Severus Snape from Harry Potter

Rickman would make a great Frollo. He has the right level of threat and tenderness about him. He also tends to play elegant characters that may seem calm but are concealing something within and he is good at communicating that dichotomy on film. This duality is essential to Frollo’s character. Also Rickman tends to play character that have a dark streak, which a Frollo really should have.

 

Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility picture image

Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility

Many ladies find Rickman attractive but he is not unconventional attractive. The aspects that people find attentive are his voice and with over-all manner. In that way Rickman has the right look and the right level of sex appeal that Frollo seems to have with fans. I mean could you imagined Rickman reciting the monologue in the jail scene (where he confesses his “love” to Esmeralda). I bet a lot fans of both Frollo and Rickman would love that.

Alan Rickman as The Sheriff of Nottingham from Robin Hood; Prince of Thieves picture image

Alan Rickman as The Sheriff of Nottingham from Robin Hood; Prince of Theives

I would just hope that if Rickman does play Frollo he is allowed to bring a dark tonality to the role and maybe recite some of Frollo’s dialogue from book largely intact.

Alan Rickman as Rasputin from Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny picture image

Alan Rickman as Rasputin from Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny

But what do you think? Would Alan Rickman make a good Frollo? Or do you think he would make a terrible Frollo and how dare I even suggesting it?

Sofia Essaïdi picture image

Sofia Essaïdi

In a post on Notre Dame de Paris Fans, there was note from a tumblr blog called  Passing Dreams that had a list of who they thought  would be the ideal casting choices for Esmeralda, Quaismodo and Frollo if there was a French revival of Notre Dame de Paris. Just got to say that a new French cast would be awesome. The Show hasn’t been performed as a musical in France since 2005. Anyway so I’m going to look at these people and first up is Sofia Essaïdi  for Esmeralda.

Sofia Essaïdi picture image

Sofia Essaïdi

 

Sofia Essaïdi is half French and half Moroccan so there is no denying that she has a the right look for Esmeralda and she is very beautiful. She was on the third season of France’s Star Academy (2004) which she came in second.  On Star Academy she performed Vivre (see video at the bottom of the page) . She has also released an album in 2005 called Mon Cabaret (see video to hear Mon Cabaret). She was also on the French version of Dancing with the Stars were she came in  second.  She also played Cleopatra in the 2009 French musical Cléopâtre, la Dernière Reine d’Égypte

Sofia Essaïdi as Cleopatra from Cléopâtre, la Dernière Reine d'Égypte picture image

Sofia Essaïdi as Cleopatra from Cléopâtre, la Dernière Reine d’Égypte

 

Essaïdi would make a great Esmeralda, she can sing and she dances very well. I just happen to not be overly fond of her voice, it’s not that it’s bad, it just doesn’t resonate with me. I also didn’t care for her rendition of Vivre but I think a musical director could help if she was cast (plus those hamster-ball people wouldn’t be there either). However I did like her as Cleopatra.

Sofia Essaïdi picture image

Sofia Essaïdi

 

I think if she were to play Esmeralda it would be would be a great casting choice.

 

Sofia Essaïdi picture image

Sofia Essaïdi

Videos of Sofia Essaïdi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byo5UhCOMhw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIaHuvT_FUI
Christopher Stills would make a good Phoebus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Shoiw8Xp08
click here to buy the song

Richard Armitage picture image

Richard Armitage

As a possible movie (or mini-series) Frollo I would suggest Richard Armitage for the role. While Armiatge is younger and more attractive than Frollo is meant to be, he has a talent for playing brooding and complex characters.

Richard Armitage as John Thornton from the BBC of North & South picture image

Richard Armitage as John Thornton from the BBC of North & South

Armitage’s biggest roles have been playing John Thornton in the 2004 BBC version of North & South (which is one the best period pieces I ever seen), Guy of Gisborne in the BBC version of Robin Hood (which was a fun series), and he playing Thorin Oakenshield in the upcoming The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again.

Richard Armitage as Guy of Gisborne from the BBC version of Robin Hood picture image

Richard Armitage as Guy of Gisborne from the BBC version of Robin Hood

Armitage is a very versatile actor. I think he pull off the descent into insanity very effectively. I know Armitage could give Frollo the complexity he has in the book but is lacking from other film versions.

Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield from The Hobbit picture image

Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield from The Hobbit

As for his looks, yeah Armitage would be a handsomer and younger Frollo but his looks work with the character. He is tall and lean which would enhance Frollo’s austere look. With the right costume and make-up he could be made up to look like the ideal Frollo.

Richard Armitage picture image

Richard Armitage

Tell me what do you think. Do you like Richard Armitage would make a good Frollo or do someone else is the perfect Frollo?

Bonus – Armitage was also in Captain America as Heinz Kruger and in Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace as Naboo Fighter Pilot (he was uncredited)

Richard Armitage as Heinz Kruger in Captain America picture image

Richard Armitage as Heinz Kruger in Captain America

Richard Armitage as a Naboo Fighter Pilot with Natalie Portman as Padme Amidala Star Wars; The Phantom Menace Episode I Picture image

Richard Armitage as a Naboo Fighter Pilot Star Wars; The Phantom Menace

As a  possible Esmerada I think Jessica Findlay-Brown would make a good choice.

Jessica Findlay-Brown Picture image

Jessica Findlay-Brown

She has the right look as she is has an olive skin tone, black hair  and she’s young enough to pull off the role.

Jessica Findlay-Brown picture image

Jessica Findlay-Brown

She is a fairly decent actress though she hasn’t been to many thing but her most notable role was Lady Sybil Crawley on Downton Abbey which isn’t the most difficult role in the world admittedly but neither in Esmeralda.

Jessica Findlay-Brown as Lady Sybil Crawley from Downton Abbey Season 2 picture image

Jessica Findlay-Brown as Lady Sybil Crawley from Downton Abbey Season 2

But another great attribute she has is that she is a former ballet dancer so she can bring a dancing aspect to the role.

Jessica Findlay-Brown as Lady Sybil Crawley from Downton Abbey Season 2 picture image

Jessica Findlay-Brown as Lady Sybil Crawley from Downton Abbey Season 2

Chris Hemsworth as Thor picture image

Chris Hemsworth as Thor

Here’s a little factoid about me that you may not know, I’m not a fan of Superhero movies.  They just have never appealed to me. However, a friend made me watch Thor  and I really liked it. I think I liked the blend of Norse mythology in a sci-fi/fantasy context but as a Hunchback fan I enjoy watching Thor’s character arch as it was like Phoebus.

Chris Hemsworth picture image

Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth is actually a relatively popular choice for a hypothecial cast of Hunchback of Notre Dame as Phoebus. And I have to agree with the popular vote here he’s really is perfect for the role. His look is good and if his performance as Thor is any indication he can play the role of Phoebus with their great smarminess or warmth (pending on the vision of the movie). Either way Chris Hemsworth would make a great Phoebus and he’s currently popular in hollywood so who know it may even happen.

Chris Hemsworth Smiling picture igame

Chris Hemsworth Smiling

 

What do you think? Do you think Chris Hemsworth would make a good Phoebus or do you think there someone better out there for the role?

Chris Hemsworth as Thor in The Avengers Picture image

Chris Hemsworth as Thor in The Avengers

Denis Lavant in Tuvalu as Anton picture image

Denis Lavant in Tuvalu as Anton

I Saw Tuvalu on a whim and though it was an odd movie but I enjoyed it. Who wouldn’t like a movie that is german expressionism revival about a love triangle sets in a collapsing bathhouse and that is a practically silent film. No seriously as odd as this film is it’s very enjoyable but one thing that struck me while watching it was Denis Lavant, who played the lead. Watching him in Tuvalu convinced me that he would make the perfect Quasimodo.

Denis Lavant picture image

Denis Lavant

Why would he make a perfect Quasimodo? First Lavant has made career on his unique face. A unique face is a plus for a Quasimodo. He’s not just some pretty-boy that put a heap of make-up on. Lavant’s natural roughness would add to Quasimodo’s pathos and make it feel more natural.  Second he has the ability to act without speaking which I think a person playing Quasimodo should have given that Quasimodo is a psychically demanding role.

Denis Lavant picture image

Denis Lavant

In my mind Denis Lavant was born to play Quasimodo. Watch Tuvalu or another one of Denis Lavant’s movies and see if you agree. I recommend watching Tuvalu though to really get a understanding of Lavant’s potent as Quasimodo.

As another possible Frollo choice for a movie version may I present Iain Glen.

Iain Glen picture image

Iain Glen

Iain Glen has been in many British shows and movies and has done stage work. The popular  show he has been in include but are not limited to MI-5 (season 9 as Vaughan Edwards), Doctor Who  (Season 5 as Octavian), Game of Throne (as Ser Jorah Mormont) and Downton Abbey (Season 2 as Sir Richard Carlisle).

Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont from Game of Thrones picture image

Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont from Game of Thrones

Now I have no shame in saying that I’m a fan of Downton Abbey and his role as the as the obsessive and possessive Richard Carlisle indicated to me that he would make a great Frollo. And when I watch Wives and Daughters (he plays Mr. Preston another character who is obsessively in love) it solidify the idea that he would make an awesome Frollo. Also based on his performance in Game of Thrones where he plays a Knight who is protective and secret in love with a much younger girl I really believe he would make an ideal Frollo.

Iain Glen as Sir Richard Carlisle from Downton Abbey picture image

Iain Glen as Sir Richard Carlisle from Downton Abbey

Plus he has the right look and his voice has a low, cold and threatening vibe. Another reason to cast him is like Frollo he has a sex appeal but it’s not because he’s conventionally attractive. He is defiantly a top pick for Frollo (in my mind).

Iain Glen as Vaughn Edwards from MI-5 picture image

Iain Glen as Vaughn Edwards from MI-5

Tell me what you think would Iain Glen make a good Frollo?

Back in November I started a series  of for hypothetical casting for Hunchback musicals or movie.

Erika Marozsan picture image

Erika Marozsan

So for an Esmeralda in a movie, I think Hugarian actress Erika Marozsan would make a good Esmeralda. She has the right look for the role  and she is a decent actress. Though in truth I’ve only seen her in one movie, Gloomy Sunday, but she was great in it(it’s one of my favorites). They only fault that she has is that she a little old for the role, as Esmeralda should be played by someone who can pass for 16 years old, but that’s if you want to adhere closely with the book and let’s face what Hunchback adapation follows the book very closely.

Erika Marozsan in Gloomy Sunday picture image

Erika Marozsan in Gloomy Sunday

Erika Marozsan picture image

Erika Marozsan

Erika Marozsan in Gloomy Sunday picture image

Erika Marozsan in Gloomy Sunday