Hypothetical Casting for Phoebus: Calahan Skogman

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This suggestion was given back in March 2024, I’m just a forgetful procrastinator.

Calahan Skogman
Calahan Skogman

Calahan Skogman’s name does pops up for Phoebus fan-casts, and does seems that people are spilt on him but then again Leo Tolstoy has two votes for Phoebus so I don’t think mycast is the best metric or maybe Tolstoy would have been a great Phoebus, we will never know. 

Also this suggestion is more skewed towards the Disney version of Phoebus which is a blond romanesque aesthetic, owning to his name rather than the novel. The novel is rather vague on Phoebus’ looks other than he’s handsome and has Burgundian mustache (Book 2 Chapter 4.) However it’s worth pointing out that most, if not all, Phoebus actors prior to  the Disney version had darker hair and Phoebus actors post Disney are blond even though there are all but two them (1997 and 1999). So Skogman’s fan-cast is Disney live action version minded which most of the fan-casts seem to be anyway.  

Calahan Skogman as Matthias Helvar & Danielle Gilligan as Nina Zenik, Netflix's Shadow and Bone (2021)
Calahan Skogman as Matthias Helvar & Danielle Gilligan as Nina Zenik, Netflix’s Shadow and Bone (2021)

So would Calahan Skogman make a good opinion for Phoebus – Disney version or otherwise? As of right now Skogman is only really known for his role of Matthias Helvar in Netflix’s Shadow and Bone. Oddly Skogman is one of the only actors in that cast who is American though he using a “Scandinavian-like” accent. Side note still salty about the show and the spin-off getting canceled. Also side note, the first time I watched Shadow and Bone, I loved Matthias and Nina’s (Danielle Gilligan) storyline.  

Matthias is not at all like Phoebus, he starts off a by-the-book prudish guy who falls in love with the enemy. He also quite religious and is falsely imprisoned – seems a bit more like Esmeralda the Phoebus. However one shouldn’t judge an actor based on one role. Is Skogman convincing a Matthias? Yes. Does he seem like he can act? Yes, he has MFA in acting so I should hope he can. So he more than likely could play a version of Phoebus. 

However as previously mentioned the suggestion for Skogman as Phoebus seems to be for a Disney version Phoebus which is quite different from the novel as Disney Phoebus is nobler/heroic and has moral compass. Given his role as Matthias and Skogman’s build and looks he defiantly has a good overall look for a “Disney-like” version of Phoebus. I hesitate to say the Disney live-action version since that version has been shelved but some versions of Phoebus are depicted more favorably than the novel so he could work well in the role and he deserve another high-profile role.

Calahan Skogman
Calahan Skogman

So yes, Calahan Skogman would be an great pick for Phoebus.  But what do you think?  

I did consider doing a post on fan-casting using the Shadow and Bone cast, much like the one I did for the Bridgerton cast. Still might but as was previously stated I’m a procrastinator. 

Also you can leave suggestions for a fan-casting in the comments.     

Hypothetical Cast for Quasimodo: Taron Egerton

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Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton

If you look up Quasimodo on mycast.io one actor who comes up again and again is Taron Egerton.  Egerton is a welsh actor who rose to prominence with his role as Elton John is the biopic Rocketman. He was praised for the role and some critics said he carried the film but most of them just praised his overall performance. He even learned to sing for the movie and has sung in other roles. However the question is…

Would Taron Egerton be good choice for Quasimodo?

Seeing how most of the fan casts are for “Disney’s Quasimodo,” sing skills are a moot point unless  somehow, something happens and we either get a live action Disney version or different movie musical based on the Hunchback happens. Anything this could happen.  But putting that aside does the popular consensus have this casting option correct?  

Taron Egerton as Elton John, "Rocketman" (2019)
Taron Egerton as Elton John, “Rocketman” (2019)

Looking through his filmography, Egerton varies in his roles and project types. The only thing I’ve watched prior to this post that he was cast in was Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. In that show he voiced, Rian one of the main characters and he was great. That show was a treasure trove of talent, it’s a crime that is was canceled, A CRIME I say!

It’s fairly safe to suggest that Egerton would have little to no issue effectively play the role as he is a very nuanced actor and has great sense of physicality both of which are very much necessary for playing Quasimodo.

Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton

Egerton as has a very approachable warm look without any dramatic angles to his face which makes him a good fit to play Quasimodo. Based on his role as Elton John it’s easy to envision Egerton as Quasimodo because the characters share similar coloring.

Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton

Egerton has the acting skills to brilliantly play Quasimodo and he has a good look that would be a good basis for all the transformative details that is need to portrays the iconic hunchback.