An Actress to play Honor Harrington

lyonheart wrote:Hello RunForCelery!

Thanks for your perspective.

I can't help but think of all the characters in the honorverse who were physically described being so different from what I anticipated from their names, that the blending was that old, that successful.

I thought the Eloi in the 2002 Time machine were a far better conception than the 1960 version, but that goes without saying, and suspected many were Polynesian.

For the record, I've always thought there are Polynesians who are great actors and actresses, who could easily portray Elisabeth, Michael, NTM Mike and their family with majesty and awesome intensity, without being African or Jamaican, while being rather dark skinned.

Granted that's not going to happen, the problem with most is they're too old for prolong, darn it!

Which I think will be a major problem or attribute of the movie, whether the rather young actors can imply the age and wisdom of obviously older characters, as Terry Farrell did as Jadzia Dax on Deep Space Nine or better.

L

Lyon,
The Wintons (especially Elizabeth) are pretty much the only people in the books who are actually described by the author as having a strong resemblance to the classic African genotype. Why would you cast Polynesian-type looks?

dreamrider

If Evergreen does mini episodes, I would love to see the Francis Mueller portrayed with redemption and Peter Dinklage as Captain Zemet. I understand redemption and Peter Dinklage
are probably beyond reach for the aging heavy cruiser and crew. Still I would love to see this story expounded especially after the MA attack. Perhaps patrols or scouting along with Commander Greentree on the Manasseh.

I still want Elizabeth Mitchell as Sonja Hemphill.

Excuse me, but has anybody mentioned the idea of recruiting a tall actress from Iceland?

I just googled something related to this topic, and came up with this website where "Bjork", the female musician is mentioned:

* http://robertlindsay.wordpress.com/2010 ... -of-bjork/

If she has the "Epicanthic fold", why can't other Icelantic women?




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dreamrider wrote:

roseandheather wrote:[Wheaton??

No. Nonono. Theisman needs to be a magnet. He needs to be the kind of man who takes a breath to speak and instantly the whole room stops to listen. He needs presence, power, dignity, and humanity in one package, all wrapped up in a plain, unassuming face.

In short, he needs to be a young Edward James Olmos.

(Personally, my front-runner is Chris Pine, though I think Pine might be a bit too pretty. Jeremy Renner might be able to pull it off. Idris Elba definitely would, but he's also stupendously gorgeous so no. Theisman... Theisman is a problem. And not just for my ovaries. )

Jeremy Renner > Theisman = Yes! (though Fat Chance hiring him, unless he's a fan.)

totally agree

Reader Bob wrote:At the site for the new comic book RFC (as David) agrees that Honor is 6'2". But he says that he wants an actress who has Honor's inner qualities more than a 6'2" Eurasian woman who would probably be difficult to find.

Anyway, wasn't Gary Cooper rather short in real life but a giant on-screen?

No, that was Randolph Scott. Also later Tom Cruise.

Gene

I'm still championing Olivia Munn for the role, honestly.

But another favorite who has snuck up on me recently is a young lady best known for her work in the YouTube series Emma Approved, a modern, v-log update of the Jane Austen novel.

Her name is Joanna Sotomura, and she's 5'7", so put her in a pair of stacked heels and we should be in business.

Reasons you ought to consider Joanna:

1) She is extremely talented, holding her own against names like Romola Garai (the 2009 miniseries) and Gwyneth Paltrow (the 1995 film). Check out any of her work in EA for proof - it's all free on YouTube!

2) Ethnicity is just about perfect - she's half Japanese, half German.

3) Did I mention 5'7"? You don't find a lot of actresses that tall in Hollywood! Obviously she doesn't have Honor's centimeters, but clever shoes could fix that right quick.

4) She's cheap, and I mean that in the literal sense - she's only just starting to break in to the business.

5) Seriously, she's awesome.

And that is why you should consider Joanna Sotomura!

What I found amusing from reading this thread are the actors from 20 years ago or more that some people want--Harrison Ford, Tom Selleck, Sean Connery, even Denise Richards. Um, it IS 2014 you know, and you have to use actors at their present ages.

If the movie was being made by a big studio with the budget to match ($125 million and up), then Jennifer Lawrence would be the first choice for Honor, and I don't think anyone would compain about it. Get soemone of that stature, and racial type would be irrelevant.

But as someone has mentioned (and it's my belief as well), since the budget won't be real big, I think the primary roles will be cast with unknowns or little-knowns. In that case, you might as well search for Eurasian or half-asian actresses for Honor.

Whatever name actors are cast will be for the minor roles and bit parts, as long as they come cheap, so don't think of any BIG names except for cameo appearances--like Samuel L. Jackson or Liam Neeson, who seem to be in EVERYTHING these days.

roseandheather wrote:I'm still championing Olivia Munn for the role, honestly.

But another favorite who has snuck up on me recently is a young lady best known for her work in the YouTube series Emma Approved, a modern, v-log update of the Jane Austen novel.

Her name is Joanna Sotomura, and she's 5'7", so put her in a pair of stacked heels and we should be in business.

Reasons you ought to consider Joanna:

1) She is extremely talented, holding her own against names like Romola Garai (the 2009 miniseries) and Gwyneth Paltrow (the 1995 film). Check out any of her work in EA for proof - it's all free on YouTube!

2) Ethnicity is just about perfect - she's half Japanese, half German.

3) Did I mention 5'7"? You don't find a lot of actresses that tall in Hollywood! Obviously she doesn't have Honor's centimeters, but clever shoes could fix that right quick.

4) She's cheap, and I mean that in the literal sense - she's only just starting to break in to the business.

5) Seriously, she's awesome.

And that is why you should consider Joanna Sotomura!

Rose,
Hate to directly disagree with you, but...
5'7" is very common among young film actresses. It kinda goes with some modeling background, and with needing to be good match ups alongside 5'10 - 6'1" young actors.

...and, with a major interest in what the available field of talent is, I've done a bit of research on the subject on IMDB and elsewhere. In fact, virtually every time I see an actress of talent under the age of 35, I check.

5'7" is almost the NORM.

Also, a 5'7" actress is unlikely to be appropriate not because the can't do things to disguise the height, but because they need someone who can be convincing in terms of the overall size/physicality/physical dominance.

After comparing various actresses with this in view over 15+ years now, my personal fixed opinion is that to achieve that second quality in the visuals, combined with a commanding on-stage presence, they need someone ~5'9" or taller. And THAT is pretty uncommon. But not as downright RARE as 6'+.

61Cygni wrote:What I found amusing from reading this thread are the actors from 20 years ago or more that some people want--Harrison Ford, Tom Selleck, Sean Connery, even Denise Richards. Um, it IS 2014 you know, and you have to use actors at their present ages.

If the movie was being made by a big studio with the budget to match ($125 million and up), then Jennifer Lawrence would be the first choice for Honor, and I don't think anyone would compain about it. Get soemone of that stature, and racial type would be irrelevant.

But as someone has mentioned (and it's my belief as well), since the budget won't be real big, I think the primary roles will be cast with unknowns or little-knowns. In that case, you might as well search for Eurasian or half-asian actresses for Honor.

Whatever name actors are cast will be for the minor roles and bit parts, as long as they come cheap, so don't think of any BIG names except for cameo appearances--like Samuel L. Jackson or Liam Neeson, who seem to be in EVERYTHING these days.

Talented as she is, I don't think that Ms. Lawrence's personality and acting style is suited to the role, although she is within the appropriate window of physical size (just barely). She's a little on the slight side for her height, as well.

In addition, she is too expensive, too hard to schedule (basically the film would have to be done to fit her commitments, rather than the other way around), and, perhaps worst, would be near impossible to sign to another 10-12 year series filming project.

She also is gaining the reputation of being moderately hard to work with. Not like Catherine Heigl or Gwyneth Paltrow yet, but getting there.

My current front runners are Jaimie Alexander (Lady Sif) or Jennifer Carpenter (Sgt Debra Morgan). Carpenter is a hair short at 5'8.5", and she is getting a little old for the role, but she's certainly got the aggressive dominance. Alexander is comfortably in the zone on all counts.

But you are probably correct that the lead will be a (near) unknown. Certainly someone early enough in their career that it makes sense for them to commit for a series contract on a largely unproven (by film industry standards) property.

dreamrider

dreamrider