Pythias:
You know how I love to cast movies in my head, based on my favorite books. And of all books that need to be made into full-scale, epic, no-holds-barred, truthful films - are all the works of Neil Gaiman. Obviously. [Still on tenterhooks for any news of HBO’s American Gods…]
So I just finished reading Neverwhere for about the tenth time, and decided, instead of just entertaining my own head, that I would share my first choices for the cast of Neverwhere.
Director: this is a tough one, but I always lean toward Guillermo del Toro for fantasy films that need attention to detail and a good magical eye. I could also settle for Marc Forster (maybe), Nimrod Antal (maaaaaybe), or Peter Jackson (with fair confidence). As much as I would like to include Timur Bekmambatov, whose sense of style might work – but if Иосниоі Dоzоr (Nightwatch) is any clue, he doesn’t care much for following the story.
Length, etc: Let’s just say, since this is fantasy (literally), that the film should be at least two full-length features. And actually filmed in London.
THE CAST!!
Richard Mayhew
I can’t see anybody else in this role but Hugh Dancy (which I believe I mentioned by text). He’s supposed to be boyish, adorable – in other words, Dancy is in every way perfect.
Door
I have two choices here – two Emily’s, actually. Emily Mortimer is my first choice, because she perfectly straddles the line between adult and “elfin,” as Door is described. And she’s a great actor. Emily Browning comes next, for similar reasons – but sometimes I think she’s just vapid.
The Marquis de Carabas
I need a strong actor, with a smile you can’t escape and a huge presence in every shot. Obviously, we have one choice.
Mr. Croup and Mr. Vandemar
There are, possibly, several actors who could play these parts. They are so hinge-important, and must be carried off faultlessly in look and sound. These are my first two choices: Timothy Spall (Croup) and Vinnie Jones (Vandemar). Spall has the right voice, face, and teeth. Jones has the right ‘hulk’ and voice as well.
Hunter
Here is another two-choice selection. My first is Jada Pinkett Smith, who is appropriately gorgeous, as described. My second choice, Caroline Chikezie, is also very beautiful. There can be a ruthlessness to each actor’s expression which I enjoy.
Old Bailey
I’ve been rewatching all of The Vicar of Dibley, and Jim Trott, who plays Jim on Vicar, would be absolutely excellent as the Old Bailey.
And here’s something amusing: in the BBC production of Neverwhere (which is pretty fun, if very low-budget), Trott did play Bailey. I had completely forgotten he was in it. The picture is from that version (you can see all his feathers).
I am very clever.
Jessica
Here is the woman I see for this role – and in this photo, she looks almost exactly as I imagine Jess(ica) to appear. Rachel McAdams…
[Oh, and though he only appears once, Clarence, Jessica’s assistant, could be humorously played by somebody like Maulik Pancholy.]
The Angel Islington
I am very, very proud of this choice. Andrej Pejic is a model, and certainly only of the most otherworldly beautiful people in the world. He was born to play the Angel. There are so many great pictures of him, ‘reading’ as both gender-normatively male and female simultaneously – I included three pictures.
Smaller parts, just as fun to cast…
(My basic rule for these was, on-screen more than once.)
Anaesthesia
Anaesthesia is very important. A good actor could make her as memorable as she needs to be. I have two choices. First is Lina Leandersson (Let The Right One In), whose soulfulness and sense of lost-ness is great – look at that face! Choice two is Kaya Scodelario, from Skins. She’d need some makeup to make it work, but she’s got a look of toughness that would be a different take on the part.
Gary
I see somebody suitably similar in boyishness to Richard. Someone very much like Osric Chau.
I also considered Dev Patel, but he’s not right, somehow.
Lord Portico
A truly small part, but since he is described as “patrician,” then the ever-incredibly-hot Colm Feore is excellent.
Serpentine
I need a woman with a jaw to crash waves on, iron-haired and imperturbable. Hence, my two choices: Helen Mirren (of course), or the lovely Marisa Paredes (Almodovar’s muse). [Serpentine’s “wasp-waisted majordomo” needs cast as well, but I’m unclear on her. Perhaps Michelle Yeoh, except she’s too young.]
Lamia, the Velvet
OK, here we need a woman who oozes dangerous beauty. Many might work. My first choice is Ashwarya Rai, because…well, look at her.
Next is Kate Winslet, rather surprisingly (particularly in this photo); she’s appropriately pale and icy. Cate Blanchett is of course quite icy, but she’s too queenly.
(And finally, Tori Amos and Gaiman are such friends, she could have a great cameo as any of the Velvets, just for laughs.)
Mr. Stockton
A little teeny role, for which the inimitable Richard Griffiths would be fun.
Lord Rat-Speaker
Pretty much any film is enhanced by the inclusion of Joel Grey, whose face is correct for this chittering role.
Brother Fuliginous
Many solid British actors would work here, but I like John Hurt for it.
And last but not least…
The Bag Lady
She’s only at the beginning, but her palm-reading sets things in motion. I like Imelda Staunton for it, appropriately made up, or the adorable Jeanne Mockford (who looks rather like the Queen, doesn’t she?).
Well, there you have it. The better part of the cast. Pretty proud of myself, I must say. -Damon
Damon,
I must say that your mind is capable of far more collating and indexing than mine. I admit to loving Neverwhere nearly as much as you and you have selected some truly fantastic choice. My personal favorite of course was your selection for The Angel Islington. Pejic is absolutely magnificent as a model, I wonder if he could hold his own up against such a solid roster of characters.
I think I shall leave it there since we have given our loyal readers enough to chew on for the moment.
Pythias
