Re: Lord of the Rings Casting Call (WAS Re: Glorious...)

[David KUIJT <kuijt@umiacs.umd.edu>]

Poster: David KUIJT <kuijt@umiacs.umd.edu>



> > I don't see the strength in Peter O'Toole that Gandalf needs, however.
> > His frame
> > seems too spare.
> > 
> > Hmmmm.  A good point.  Maybe O'Toole would be a better Saruman?


I think Peter O'Toole would do very well as Gandalf, Denethor, or Theoden. 
All of them should be old men, skinny, tall, capable of switching from
abstraction to frightening intensity in a moment. 

I think Derek Jacobi would make a better Saruman, because he does a really
good "oily", and it would take a brilliant actor to make the speeches
standing on the steps of Orthanc that are required of Saruman -- trying to
convince Gandalf, or Theoden, to join him even though he has betrayed them
utterly and is entirely helpless and without power.

Sir John Gielgud would have been a wonderful Gandalf, except that I think
he has inconveniently died in the last couple of years.

Here's a thought -- Patrick Stewart.  He could take any of the four
"Powerful Old Men" roles (Gandalf, Denethor, Theoden, Saruman).  He'd make
a wonderful Denethor -- I've seen him play King Lear, and you need to be
able to transmit that sort of madness and despair.

D


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