So who do you think should play?.......

Granny WeatherWax ?

Nanny Ogg ? Miriam Margolyes.... ?

Magrat? Helena Bonham Carter.....?

I honestly know nothing of actors and actresses, so I couldn't say.

I know she's too young but Emma Thompson would make a great Weatherwax
and Judi Dench as Nanny Ogg.

I'm sad that Bea Arthur is dead because I think she would have been great as Granny Weatherwax

I can see all those, (assuming Bea Arthur was the one in Golden Girls), and I've always thought that the man from Due South, whose name escapes me would be great as Carrot. but who would play Sam ?

Okay, you've got me curious, which man from Due South?? Paul Gross (who played the Mountie), the guy who played the original Ray Vecchio (I don't remember the actor's name), or Callum Keith Rennie (who played Stanley something - the substitute Ray Vecchio).

I used to have a Pratchett casting list but it must have got deleted in some computer purge.

My personal rule for Pratchett casting is that all actors need to be British except for characters from parts of Discworld that are obvious analogues for certain parts of our world, where I would cast actors from those parts.

Paul Gross (from Due South) has the manner right for Carrot, who is very similar to Gross' Constable Fraser - but he's Canadian, too old and shouldn't Carrot be a redhead? Or is that my faulty memory?

I like Miriam Margoyles as Nanny Ogg.

Omid Djalili as CMOT Dibbler?

Christopher Eccleston or Sean Pertwee as Sam Vimes.

Magrat - Julia Sawalha

Masi Oka - Twoflower

Martin Freeman - Ponder Stibbons

Umm. Very hard to cast Granny Weatherwax as actresses aren't allowed to age naturally. But after seeing her play Lady Dedlock in Bleak House, I think Diana Rigg could do a cracking Granny with the addition of prosthetic wrinkles. She has the stare.

Yes I did mean Paul Gross - he should be a redhead. Incidentally, I remember an exchange in both Pratchett and Due South which paraphrased says" he hasn't got a weapon, " "He doesn't need one , hes got a wolf". I like both Christopher Eccleston and Robert Carlyle for Sam, but feel that they are both too thin and too young. I could see Diana Rig as Granny. Don't know Masi Oka - off to look him up now

Nanny Ogg - Have to second the Judi Dench nomination - but Judi Dench usually seems to have slightly too much class for Nanny. They're kindred spirits, but not quite a perfect fit.

Magrat - Gwyneth Paltrow.
Vetinari - Rowan Atkinson - played like Blackadder, but slightly straighter, as though his Machiavellian ways have actually paid off for him.

Vimes - could we get William Petersen to scruff up a bit more? Gil Grissom is Vimes here on the non-disc-shaped world.

Death - Voice of Boris Karloff? Know he's dead. But he is DEATH, after all. Should this be a deterrent?

Tiffany Aching - Miranda Cosgrove - plays plucky and smart pretty well. Would appeal to younger viewers.

Eccleston might be a bit young, but I always thought of Sam as a lean and hungry type, so I don't think he's too thin. Sean Bean might be good, too.

Rowan Atkinson (who would have been BRILLIANT as Severus Snape) might work for Vetinari. Have to think on that. Possibly a bit young, though.

For Tiffany Aching my pick is Caitlin Blackwood, who played young Amelia Pond in the 11th Hour episode of Doctor Who.

Rowan Atkinson as Vetinari?? No. My vision has been and always will be David Bowie.

If we're going to have David Tennant, I vote for him as Rincewind. I know, I know, it has already been cast, and the actor did fine, I'm sure. However, I always saw Rincewind as a younger wizard, and we could pad Tennant out a bit in this day and age, and he already has the running down pat.

I like Eccleston for Vimes. He has the rough edge and is good looking, but isn't, either kind of look to him.

Now Nanny is a problem, because almost every actress has too much class for Nanny. How about Jennifer Saunders? I love her.

I've always thought of Carrot as Paul Gross, but he's probably too old now. Now Angua is a problem. She has to be thin and blond, but not pert or sensuous. Intelligent, with fire in her eyes and in great shape. Sadly, Emma Thompson is also too old. How about Evanna Lynch?

Sorry, that image was too big, so you can search for her. Luna from Harry Potter.

Oh Tennant as Rincewind would be great. I thought that David Jason was horribly miscast as Rincewind. Too old, not scrawny enough. He was good as Death's servant Albert, though.

Jennifer Saunders is way too young for Nanny. I still think Margoyles could do it. Or possibly Pam Ferris.

Evanna Lynch... too young. Although I suppose she's older than she was last time I saw her in a Harry Potter movie :). Also lacks the fire in her eyes, though. Too milquetoast.

Bill Nighy for one of the senior wizards? I think he might be a brilliant Ridcully.

I've always thought Nigel Planer would be great as Rincewind, and agree that that a lot of actresses don't quite have the earthy edge Nanny would need, but what about Dawn French. Have to agree, David Jason (who I admire greatly) was miscast as Rincewind.

Omid Djalili as CMOT Dibbler?
Like this very much

Tiffany Aching my pick is Caitlin Blackwood - if that was the episode with the gas masks, yes, or even christina Ricci, but she's much too old now

Agree about Nigel Planer as Rincewind – there's a certain amount of natural gormlessness to both of them. David Tennant is too good looking.

Judi Dench as Nanny … no. There needs to be a perpetual air of filthy thoughts just waiting to come out. Dawn French would be absolutely right, if only she were thirty years older!

I think Diana Rigg as Granny is sheer genius! Granny isn't a crone – an early description of her talks about her chagrin at having perfect teeth and not being able to get a wart to grow on her face anywhere. And you need someone who has real presence – Diana Rigg!

Magrat is harder. You need an actress who isn't at all pretty – bedraggled, thin, blonde, flat-chested, and not attractive (except to Verence, and I think even there Pterry says something along the line of her being ‘the most beautiful woman, of all the women who'd ever thought him worth smiling at, that he'd ever seen’).

As for Ridcully … Ian McKellan!

edited for spelling

Bill Nighy and Ian McKellen seem just a bit too "serious" to me, to be convincing as Ridcully. I think Brian Blessed would be awesome in that role. Commanding figure, a bit of an adventurer...

#16 It seemed so obvious to me that Brian Blessed is Mustrum Ridcully and Ridcully is Blessed that I joined the group specifically to post about it. And while I was off joining Octane beat me to it.

I'm having to search for images of most of these people because I'm not familiar with their names, but when I saw Brian Blessed, I immediately agreed with #16 & 17. Tardis, search Evannah Lynch's image, and you must keep in mind that makeup and acting can do a great deal. I'm sure she could put fire in her eyes if the role called for that. :)

How about Twoflower? Much as I love Sean Astin, and thought he did a fine job, I would like to see an ethnic Twoflower.

18 > I know what Evanna Lynch looks like - but I've never seen her in anything except Harry Potter so not sure if she can really act - she might have just been so well cast that she didn't need to. I think you need someone with a bit more toughness to be Angua.

Twoflower - as posted above, I think Masi Oka (Hiro in Heroes) would be perfect.

14> Caitlin Blackwood was just in last week's episode of Doctor Who - the first episode of the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith). She played the child version of his new companion. She's actually a couple of years too old to be perfect for Tiffany, who you have to remember is only 9 or 10 in Wee Free Men, but I don't think aging Tiffany a couple of years would ruin the story.

Ian McKellan - agreed, not Ridcully - he doesn't do bluff and hearty. Menacing, though... he's a bit old, but he wouldn't be a bad Vetinari. I do think Bill Nighy could do the bluff and hearty thing. He's been some pretty weird characters. However Brian Blessed (assuming he's still alive) would be great.

Agree with 18 - Angua needs an edge.
Hiro as Twoflower would be great
Brian Blessed as Mustrum - brilliant
Bill Nighy as the Dean, perhaps?
edited to add - Jane Horrocks as Magrat?

How about Bill Nighy as Sam Vimes? He has that battered-by-life, world-weary look about him.

#16, 17, etc etc,

Why didn't I think of Brian Blessed?! Absolutely perfect. As long as the decibels come down a bit.

#22 "As long as the decibels come down a bit." I don't know about that - wasn't it partly Ridcully's decibel level that scrambled the poor Bursar's brains? "Bursaaar!!!"

As I mentioned in another thread on this group:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/53848 #6

I like Robert Mitchem as Vimes. The sleepy eyes and the disrespect for authority. OK I know he is dead but CGI is amazing these days :-)

Yes I do want Dianna Rigg in something, but Granny Weatherwax?

Dawn French would make a "perfect" Nanny Ogg. Forget the Age thing,
once again makeup etc.
But that potential for a "dirty joke/heels kickup/drink" is always there in Dawn French!

Spelling :-(

oooh yes Dawn French as Nanny Ogg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that would be a really good match :)

I agree Robert Mitchum would have been ideal as Sam - and I think Geraldine James as Lady Sybil (Lady Maud in Blott on the Landscape)

Alan Rickman as Vetinari.

Never liked Robert Mitchum, and he's not British, so I'll never see him as Sam :)

Geraldine James looks brilliant but she's at least 20 years too old to be Sybil. Although I hope I look nearly that good when I'm nearly 60.

How about Georgina Moffat or Sophia Myles for Angua? Georgina was Jenny (The Doctor's Daughter) in Doctor Who and Sophia Myles was Mme de Pompadour, also in Doctor Who. Or one of them could be the vampire watch officer (Sally? I'm blanking on this).

Tardis,

Are you "dissing" MY Bob Mitchem?
Right, "out the back..."

Oops, just noticed you are "a shiela..."

My Dear, I respect your opinion, but I beg to differ.

Spelling again :-)

Supplimentary thought,
How about Steven Fry as Ridculley or even as Vetinari?

I could see (or rather hear) Stephen Fry as the voice of Death.

Alan Rickman would be great as Vetinari, or perhaps Richard Armitage. Or what about Stephen Briggs? Just compare these pictures:


Also, I think Hugh Laurie could play Sam Vimes rather convincingly. He's british, has the right age and Vimes and House share a few similarities.

David Tennant or maybe Bill Bailey as Rincewind, I liked David Jason much more as Albert.

29> :) We'll just have to agree to disagree.

30 > I love Stephen Fry, but not as Vetinari. As Ridcully (or his brother the priest?) I could see him. Or as another of the senior wizards. Or as mentioned above, the voice of Death.

31> Hugh Laurie! Yes, he could be Vimes, although he'd have to do a less up-market accent - Vimes is, after all, a product of the slums. But we KNOW HL can do accents - the number of people around here who think he's American (due to House) floors me. Hugh Laurie would also make a good Verence, if he isn't too old for it.

#30 - I think Fry as the Dean, perhaps. I can just imagine him making slightly sniffy remarks to Ridcully.

Since I first saw this thread I've had an actor in mind who I thought would be a great Rincewind; but, for the life of me, I couldn't remember who he was or where I'd seen him. I've finally remembered. How about Mackenzie Crook who played Gareth in The Office (original British version) and Ragetti in the Pirates of the Caribbean films?

34

Yep i think he'd make a great rincewind

Who should play Nobby?

I think that Tony Robinson would make a perfect Cecil Wormsborough St. John Nobbs if he weren't otherwise occupied.

Extra bonus question. In what walk-on/bit part should Sir Pterry make his cameo appearance?

Sir Pterry as The Vimes Butler - Willikins?

Dear Thread and tardis,

I couldn't see Hugh Laurie, initially, as a Vetinari and especially as a Vimes.
I have just been watching the DVD series "Jeeves & Wooster" and thus my thoughts might have been biased. That Upper Class TWIT as Vimes.
On reflection, and Laurie is now 20 years older, and he IS an Actor :-) I think he would make a good Ventari but I still can't accept him as a Vimes.

To me Vimes is more a NOIR type (Marlow even Sam Spade) than a Holmes.

But fortunately, to each their own...

Guido.

PS. I would like, a la. Hitchcock, Sir T to have a cameo in all the films and a minor roll as well.

I don't know whether or not anyone would agree with me but I think Neil Patrick Harris could pull off a pretty decent Moist Von Lipwig.

I agree! He would be FANTASTIC!

Glad I'm not the only one who feels that way. :D

Also, I've been reading Making Money and every time Mr. Bent appears, Alan Rickman comes to mind. Alan Rickman as Vetinari works too though.

Jane Horrocks as Magrat
this has to be the best match

I think Philip Glenister could make a good Sam Vimes. Jennifer Tilly could make a good Nanny Ogg, Alfre Woodard or Helen Mirren as Granny W., Ryan Kwanten (the dim-but-good-looking guy from True Blood) would be good as Carrot; Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) might make a good Angua...

Ok, to keep this alive a little I'll put my nominations up.
First off I'm an American so restricting it to an only British cast is a bit off in my opinion. That being said, as a lover of British Television/Movies I get as annoyed as the next guy when you hear an over-the-top attempt at a Brittish accent so I can understand a little.

Off the soap box though.

I read earlier that Angua was looking for young, blonde, not quite sensuous but still needing a bit of attitude. first name in my head is Hannah Spearitt

Just throwing it out there because I'm in the middle of re-reading The Light Fantastic, Cohen - Sean Connery. Just listen to the way the accent is written

I like Laurie as Vimes. My first instinct would be for Frank Thorton as Vimes is getting up there in years but I think that Throton might be a little too old.

Also not a role fitting the actor but I see Michael Caine as Albert all day long.

If anyone remembers "Waiting for God," I think Stephanie Cole would be the best Granny. No one can pull off the mean cynical old lady like her.

Finally, Alan Rickman as Vetinari would be great but I would be affraid that he would just be playing the role as Snape (ie. Alice in Wonderland, different look, same character. with roles so close in personalities I would be afraid he couldn't differenciate the two.)

On a final note I love how the idea of British actors comes up and it seems Doctor Who is all anyone really has to work from.

(PS. I know my spelling is horrible, Typing fast before work, sorry)

I don't think anyone so far has suggested Emma Chambers as Magrat :)

#46
Genius!

#46 - That gave me one of those 'now why didn't I think of that' moments!

I completely agree with Alan Rickman as Vetinari (he has that slightly spooky charm), Miriam Margolyes as Nanny and Jane Horrocks as Magrat!

Is Maggie Smith too obvious as Granny Weatherwax? What with the whole Professor McGonagall thing?

I know it's been a long time since anyone added to this, but since I've just arrived...

Ridcully = Brian Blessed. No question. No argument. Perfect.
Parician = Has anyone seen Guy Henry's portrayal of Henrik Hanssen in "Holby City"? If that's not the Patrician running the hospital...
The Dean was on the large side (in 'Unseen Academicals' it's mentioned his posterior took up two seperate chairs). How about Richard Griffiths?
I like the thought of Hugh Laurie as Vimes (the 'House' Laurie without the American accent). Has anyone considered Robert Lindsay? He might manage the role.
Ewan McGregor as Moist von Lipwig, perhaps?
Matt Smith as Ponder Stibbons?
And - harking back to Holby City - how about Rosie Marcel for Angua?

51> I had to look up the Holby City people - haven't seen that over here - but yeah, good choices.

Something that keeps coming back to me - The Tommy Lee Jones film 'The Fugitive' was released in 1988, and 'Guards! Guards!' in 1989. Watch TLJ's performance as US Marshal Sam Gerard, and (apart from the American accent and the setting, of course) he IS Sam Vimes - and looks the part perfectly. Did Terry ever think that, I wonder.......?

#51 - Never watch Holby City so I had to look up Rosie Marcel online.

As soon as I saw her it brought to mind an advert (not a trailer) they were running for HC where they had her on top of a cabinet, crouched as a predator poised to spring and moving her head just like a wolf or big cat trying to locate prey by all the senses.

The makers had obviously noticed that she looks like someone you should get a little nervous around come a full moon.

#51 - Nice suggestions

Ewan McGregor in anything is better. ;)

Now you have me thinking though. I kind of like Hugh Laurie as the Patrician. I see the Patrician as a handsome man, but scary. I think Hugh could pull that off. He has that ability to be completely unnerving, but you're never sure whether he means it or not.

David Mitchell would be a fun Ponder Stibbons, though perhaps he lapses into sneering too easily...

If Graham Crowden weren't dead he would have been a great Ridcully.

And I totally second whoever else said Dawn French could be Nanny Ogg (SO perfect!).

She played Sacharissa in Going Postal, but I think Tamsin Greig would be a wonderful Magrat.

I rather like the idea of Micky Flanagan for CMOT Dibbler.

Hello all!

I 've just joined this group and would like to say that I think the actor Damian Lewis would make a great Captain Carrot - English actor and red headed!

Like the idea of Omid as CMOT Dibbler.

Dawn French as Nanny....yes..possibly... But I still think we can come up with someone even better. What we need is someone with a really mucky laugh...

Miriam Margoyles as Nanny Ogg, that's Professor Sprout from the Harry Potter films, if you're thinking she's a bit too nice and sweet in that, you should see her being interviewed, talk about a dirty laugh! She'd have to west-country-up her accent a little bit though.

And Omid as CMOT Dibbler is actual genius.

Mucky laugh, Miriam Margoyles definitely. Good choice and a more suitable age than Dawn French to play those wonderful Nanny Ogg.

See, I just can't see Dibbler as a big guy, and Omid (who I love and would certainly play Dibbler well in a radio play) is a big guy. To me, Dibbler is a weasely character who needs the ability to slink away unnoticed.

Actually mabith you do have a point, I hadn't thought of that. Also now I come to think of it I always imagined Dibbler would have a proper cockney accent of the 'cor blimey govnur' type so maybe not Omid, but then who?

#61 - Bob Hoskins?

I am engaging in a bit of thread necromancy because I had a bit of an inspiration last night and would love to see

Sam Vimes played by Richard Armitage

He might have to age a bit more but I think he would be great in temperament (he has that slightly not of the upper classes but is so commanding he can still be superior thing) and has a great accent.

I think he would be a wonderful choice for The Watch TV series (if and when it happens)

What do you all think?

Edit: Sorry for the crappy stream of consciousness post; I'm very exhausted and will clean it up later. :)

Huh, I'd never thought of Armitage in that capacity, but I totally agree. He's certainly got the scowling down...

Can I say that maybe Sheila Hancock would make a brilliant Granny Weatherwax as she has a great sapphire stare!

I always like Maggie Smith for Granny but having googled Hancock I can see that she has a Granny-ish look. As long as whoever is cast can pull off that towering personality and tough-as-nails look I will be happy!

#63 - Yes, absolutely! And I can see why he would be the center of your nighttime inspirations. ;)