What's all this I hear of Disney buying the rights to make the Hitch-hiker movie? Does this mean some parts will be 'toned down' (such as the sudden demise of the suddenly created sperm whale in outer space). One of Douglas Adams' dreams for HHGTG was to see the whale explode on the ground (see the making of), and it looks like we may never see that happen. What are all your thoughts on this?
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Bleh
Yeah, that doesn't sound quite right does it. When I think of Disney I think of children's animated musicals. This is definately not a book written for little kids. As I mentioned in my message (werd75 right below yours) I thought this would be a good remake if they approached it with the same sort of style as Final Fantasy or Titan AE. I hope to god disney isn't going to start making a habit of taking classic books and converting them into something more juvenile (ie Treasure Planet!!!! <Blech>) I seriously hope that if Disney is in fact going to make this movie that they don't screw it up.
Just another topic to throw out there: if they ended up re-making this movie without making it animated: which actors would everyone choose to play the main characters? I think:
Arthur Dent: Ewan McGregor
Ford Prefect: Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, or Brad Pitt (the charactor never really has an age specified)
Trillian: Angelina Jolie or Halle Berry or maybe Jeniffer Garner
Zaphod Beeblebrox: I don't know. Maybe Ben Stiller or Owen Wilson
Slartibartfast: I think Ian McKellan would be good if he hadn't already played Gandalf. Maybe John Malkovich or even Dustin Hoffman.
Fenchurch (doesn't show up until the fourth book): Famke Janssen
The Rain God (also in the fourth book): Sean Connery
Anyway, those are just my thoughts. As always they're open to criticism or agreement.
Yeah my thoughts exactly. Well for actors I'd say:
Arthur: Simon Jones (The only and best actor to portray him so far)
Ford: Johnny Depp (You need a weird kind of actor)
Trillian: Gwenyth Paltrow or Nagra Parminder (from Bend It Like Beckham... Trillian was originally supposed to be Indian... I think)
Zaphod: Owen Wilson yep.
Slartibartfast: Ian McKellan yep.
Head of Ursa Mina Publishing Company (company that made The Book): Gabriel Byrne maybe.
The Book: ... toughie...
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Bleh
Yeah, those all sound cool (and I apologize for deviating so far from the intended topic), but I think that Simon Jones is too old to play him now. He's in his fifties (and bald). Arthur Dent is supposed to be thirty. that's why I picked Ewan McGregor. He can be goofy (see: "A Life Less Ordinary". Not that I'm comparing it to the book in any way), he's already got the accent, he's the about the right age or young enough to still look thirty and in my opinion he's an awesome actor. I do however like your choice for Ford Prefect. I never would have thought of Johnny Depp, but he's really cool. i think he'd do a good job. As for Trillian, I didn't know she was supposed to be Indian. that's interesting. The reason I picked those three choices to play her (Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, or Jennifer Garner for those that are too laz to scroll up) is because in the book she seemed kind of like a tough, independant woman who could kick ass better than either Arthur or Ford. In the movie she was a blond ditz. I thought that was a horrible way to go. Anyway, I respect your opinions. I'm not saying they're bad. This is just me backing myself up.
shareBald you say? I never knew that, I said just because he was always my ideal version of Dent... but sure Ewan McGregor then, or Hugh Grant even. My choices for Trillian were based on the movie either going with the blonde or the Indian, but yeah, they could go a completely different direction. I just hope they make it someone who can look INTELLIGENT and could work out infinite improbability. Also, although I have never read Douglas Adams' script for the HHGTG movie, I hope they cover the same ground as the TV series, focusing on the Ultimate Question. They could possibly make the Vogons play a more prominent role as bad guys, or even bring in the Krikkit bots early.
How do you think the movie should go?
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Bleh
I'm reading through 'The Salmon of Doubt' - D.N.A.'s posthumous book - and he makes reference to a script for HHGTTG, written quite some years ago (when the movie rights were first sold in the early 80s). He HATED it. It had his name, and the scripts writer on it. Even though D.N.A. played no part in the writing of it.
According to 'The Salmon of Doubt', D.N.A. was quite happily working with Disney and was going to play a big part in the re-working of the new movie.
Sorry, don't know anymore. I stopped reading (this morning) at exactly this page!!!!
Baz
Really? I always thought the script was one of the last things he did before he passed away. And I suppose if Disney's good enough for D.N.A, it's good enough for all of us. There's quite a lot of information at filmforce.ign.com. Apparantly Jay Roach, director of Austin Powers, was going to direct and before Adams' died said:
"Hugh's [Laurie] his [Adams'] favourite choice," Roach told the service,
"Casting for the movie will be international. We would cast Ford Prefect as an American. Zaphod Beeblebrox could be Jim Carrey or Bruce Willis, someone big."
Jay Roach also said on the matter of Adams' death:
the film project is now "on indefinite hold." The tragic irony of this development is that Adams' most recent screenplay adaptation was the best draft yet in the director's estimation. "Douglas had nailed it in the last script. He was able to be both silly and supremely intelligent at the same time."
Here's a link for information about the final draft Adams' submitted: http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/36423p1.html
Also Jay Roach has been rumoured to be pulling out of the movie... and he isn't denying it either.
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Bleh
I was on about the first screenplay, written when he first sold the rights to Ivan Reitman (before Ghostbusters was made).
(To paraphrase) He and Reitman didn't see eye to eye. It turned out that Reitman hadn't read the book. He'd just seen the sales figures.
(To directly quote from the book).
"I think Ivan Reitman then got somebody else to write a script based on it, which is, I think, the worst script I'd ever read. Unfortunately, it has my name on it and the other writer's, whereas I did not contribute a single comma to it. ... that script has been sitting in script city, or whatever it is, for a long time, and that everyone assumes that I wrote it and am therefore a terrible screen writer."
Which is pretty much where I got to in the book before I had to put it down at go to work!!
On the next page he goes on to say that he laters was introduced to Michael Nesmith (of The Monkees) with regard to making the movie. But, in the end they "couldn't get it to take. So parted company very good friends".
Next page then refers to Jay Roach picking it up, which seems to bring us up to date - until someone next starts on the movie again.
Hollywood? Disney? Are you listening? You *HAVE* to make this movie! And you *HAVE* to do a decent job of it. Just, please, please, please don't sell out the British-ness of the plot for the sake of the profits.
(I can't help but feel bitter about the likes of the remake of The Italian Job - my all-time favourite movie. I may stand to be corrected. It may be fab. But, somehow, I don't think it will have the same impact.)
Baz
I just had an idea of the ONE piece of merchandise I'd buy if the film makes it. How cool would it be to have a replica Guide, with an LCD screen on one side and the keypad on the left, and innit you could look up all the entries that Douglas Adams' put in the books! Eeeh, I'll shut up now. :)
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Bleh
Hey, I'd buy it :)
sharei always thought hugh grant would make the perfect arthur dent. i realize a lot of people don't like him, but i think he'd be perfect for the part.
anyway, this movie might be one of those with the rights all owned up, that will never get made, like the fantastic four. jay roach would be great for the project. too bad he's dropped it. the movie would have been made if Douglas Adams had survived its filming.
Actually Fantastic Four is in the making as a quote family comedy unquote. Cringe. I think the HHGTG will probably get made, though not as quickly as it would've had D.N.A survived. I think Jay Roach is a bit confused as to what to do now, and needs to think over what Douglas Adams' wanted from the film. Or maybe he's just, sort of, dropped it.
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Bleh
Hey... I totally agree with you on Hugh Grant.. that would be perfect... just wanted to add my two cents...
share[deleted]
Personally, I think that Graham Chapman would have made a great Arthur if he was still alive.
sharePersonally, I think that Graham Chapman would have made a great Arthur if he was still alive.
actually, DA had been trying to have H2G2 made into a movie for the past 20 years or so.
shareThe books rarely give any actual details about physical appearances, it is left up to the readers imagination and preconceptions. Also, each release in the series (radio plays, miniseries, books, etc.) are always a complete revision by Douglas Adams, many things that were formerly established are tossed out or drastically changed. That was the way he liked it ! So any actors would be fine, so long as they can do the feeling behind their characters.
My two cents.
I agree 100% on having Johnny Depp Play Ford. The whole time I was reading the book I was thinking that he would be perfect to play ford If this did become a movie.
I think Jack Nicholson would be perfect for Zaphod.
As for the rest, I think the girl from american pie and Van Wilder (don't know the name) would be good, If she were a little darker.
Tara Reid. And currently, she's bright orange.
shareDoesn't seem that tough to me, how could the Book be anyone other than Peter Jones?
i would put johnny depp as zaphod. thats my only opinion as of now.
shareFor Arthur I'd suggest John Torturro
Johnny Depp or Steve Buscemi would be perfect as Ford
As for Zaphod Beeblebrox, I would suggest Matt Damon and ben Affleck, one head each,if they act like in dogma ;)
Slartibartfast: I think Ian McKelem will be haunted by the role of the old wise man, I could somehow also imgine Peter Stomare
Head of Ursa Minor: If he was younger, John Cleese
The Book?the voice from the Subway
She wasn't really supposed to be Indian, she was supposed to look "vaguely Arabic."
I think Zooey Deschanel is perfect.
OK, I realize he's the biggest jerk in the universe, so who better for Zaphod Beeblebrox than Howard Stern?
shareDon't forget that Disney also own several smaller companies such as Dimension Films, who released such films as the Scream trilogy and Scary Movie. So it's quite possible for Disney to release the film without having to tone it down.
sharePersonally, I think there's one actor who has the charisma and the cockiness to play Zaphod perfectly: Vince Vaughn.
shareIf Disney made this movie it would suck. Big. Disney has become Satan's love-child as of late. Their most recent movies have been terrible and dry and slow-paced and annoying, as all get out. That's all I have to say on Disney (at least publicly, on the web).
As far as casting goes, well;
Arthur Dent: Ewan McGregor, I agree with.
Ford Prefect: I don't know. Johnny Depp, like someone mentioned, is a possibility.
Zaphod: Remember, you need an actor who looks good, nay, perfect for the character. Zaphod has multiple heads, and I can't see Ben Stiller or Owen Wilson looking good with that.
Trillian: I have no idea.
Slartibartfast: I agree on Ian McKellan.
Actors that I don't know where they should be cast, but would like to see on this project, are;
Viggo Mortensen ("The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" etc., "A Perfect Murder."), no idea on this guy.
James Earl Jones ("Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi" etc., "Dr. Strangelove."), possibly as the Book.
James Marsters ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Angel: The Series."), no idea on this guy either, but he's a great actor.
"If Disney made this movie it would suck. Big. Disney has become Satan's love-child as of late. Their most recent movies have been terrible and dry and slow-paced and annoying, as all get out. That's all I have to say on Disney (at least publicly, on the web)."
baaahhahaha sorry, this is funny since on the board for the movie itself most people are complaining that hitchhikers was too fast pased. to them I say, learn to watch a movie. movies and books are VERY different
I personally think that a cast of unknowns should be assembled to play these roles, as was done with Star Wars. I just can't imagine any well-known Hollywood actor having the ability to portray these characters on screen. Forgive me if I sound like an Adams purist, and I'll admit that I pretty much am one. I just think that if they want to make this movie, star power shouldn't distract people from the plot.
She's addicted to nicotine patches, she's afraid of a light in the dark...
Ah, Disney seems to have started to make movies for some of the older fans. Also keep in mind Disney has ownership of other companys that created movies that have much worse things than whales explodeing. But anyways, look at Pirates. I think that over all this movie could not be done without reseveing atleast a PG-13 rateing.
shareZaphod has two heads, so you need two actors to play him. How about Owen AND Luke Wilson? Or Owen and Jackie Chan?
-Gimlet, son of Groin, Dwarf Lord of Geritol and Royal Inspector of Meats
Hey, I didn't even think of that. That would be hilarious if Luke and Owen did that. Not Jackie Chan tho.
shareI think the best route for Zaphod would to just take whatever actor plays him and have him film all the dialogue for both heads and then digitally insert the two heads later. It might look a little weird, but in the end I think it would be a better choice having two actors or an anamatronic head like in the TV show. On the other hand, they could always just make him one-headed for the movie. I'm sure the fans would be upset at the change, but in the end it would be pretty much the same.
shareNaw, he should definately have two heads. I think they could pull it off well enough. And I don't think that they should have the same actor play both heads. Weren't the heads two different personalities in the book?
share[deleted]
People...it isn't that hard to create something digitally. I'm sure that they could use one actor as Zaphod and create the second head digitally for long shots. It'll all work out fine.
Anyway, these are the characters I've thought of actors for:
Zaphod: If Jim Carrey can tone it down a bit (I like him, but he can be a bit too...flamboyant at times. And while Zaphod is supposed to be kind of out there, I definitely don't picture the whole "Ace Ventura" voice on him.), I would go with him, because I think he could pull it off.
Arthur Dent: Hugh Grant, all the way! I'm not against using American actors in this movie, but Arthur is really supposed to be a sort of traditional British guy.
Slartibartfast: Totally Christopher Lee.
Ford Prefect: Ford is my favorite character, and that's probably why I can't think of an actor (besides David Dixon, but he's too old now) to really bring him to life. I'll think on it though.
All the other characters...I don't know.
Tris
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in my opinion although it would be fantastic having famous faces in the parts of arthur and ford and the rest of the cast, i think that the amount of famous people should be restricted. although it would draw in the crowds, i think that it would be better to introduce several unknowns especially for the part of arthur dent...i just dont think that hugh laurie suits the part or hugh grant for that matter. but anyway it only my opinion and what do i know?!
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Some of these suggestions for the roles of the Guide characters are simply ridiculous! Jackie Chan?!? Fer frig sake come ON!!
Arthur Dent: Very ordinary Engliahman - wears his dressing gown throughout the whole story. Hugh Laurie would be good I think.
Ford Prefect: Again, ideally English. Although he's an alien, so this gives licence to bring in an American actor for the part. Martin Short is the best suggestion I've heard so far.
Zaphod Beeblebrox: Loud, obnoxious, a bit dumb... yup .. and American for that part would be good. Mark Wing-Davey played it kinda trans-atlantic anyway.
Trillian: Has a degree in Astrophysics. This doesn't mean she can't be blonde and bubbly. "Kick-ass"?!? What the hell are you on about..? She was never an Ellen Ripley or G.I. Jane fer frig sake! Just an ordinary girl who was facing the dole and met an alien. Trillian, or Trisha McMillan became American for the TV series, and Sandra Dickinson did a great job at it. I'd prefer a British girl (can Gail Porter act..? ;) ) .. but American would do at a push.
Slartibartfast: What about Christopher Walken?
Marvin the Paranoid Android: Arnold Swartzenegger. OK .. that was a joke! Although ...
Arthur Dent: Jeremy Hardy, a stand up comedian, dead pan delivery & is as middle-class, home counties as you can get, his politics may be left wing but accent & attitude are perfect
& you can hear him at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/comedy/newsquiz.shtml
Ford Prefect: Eddie Izzard, if he can tone it down a bit
Zaphod: Bruce Willis/Quentin Tarratino, one head over the top & one introspective
The Book: Peter Jones, sadly no longer with us, but should be enough on tape
Trisha McMillan: Ronnie Ancona, as an impressionist(?) has the looks & can do any accent you want
Marvin: Original voice still live & kicking, must look like DNA's description, Designed by Porsche but stands awkwardly as if no two components quite match
Slartibartfast: David Jason
Host at the restaurant at the end of the universe: Jim Carrey, he would fit & keep the US happy
you can't get the wood you know
Slartibartfast -has to be one of the Pythons preferably Michael Palin or John Cleese, o may be Alan Rickman
Arthur Dent - if Christian Bale got rid of all those muscels, he'd look the part, but errr think he’d try to play him too glossy. Ow, Jude law. It’s a shame Hugh Laurie is got a little old, he’d be perfect otherwise. Doesn’t Arthur remind you of Kermit the Frog, I'd cast him if he was real or human.
Ford Perfect - it’s a bit obscure. Brad Pitt. He’s got all those weird tics (has anyone eles noticed that) and he scratches his head like an ape. “Ford straightened up and aimed a look at the policeman which hit him with the full force of every inch of the 6 light years distance between Earth and Ford’s home near Betelgeuse.” I reckon Pitt could pull it off.
Zaphod, - Ou perhaps Paul Kaye, Dennis Pennis with two heads, the thought is terrifying.
Marvin - Jack Dee of course!
Trillian – humm, Gina Davis or Ronnie Ancona, like Wormtounge said.
When I think of Arthur all I can think of is Clive Owen. Arthur was supposed to be tall, thin, and dark haired. Besides, with as little as Arthur speaks, and as well as Owen acts with his face, I think it is a perfect fit.
I think Pitt is a great choice for Ford, couldn't agree more.
Zaphod, hmm... One head could be Ron Livingston, he seems to have that whole non-plussed thing down pretty well. As for going beyond unconcerned to just plain "out to luch" as Adams described why not have Donal Logue as the other head. He seemed rather like Zaphod in Tao of Steve.
Mr. Prosser, although a small role, seems to me to be calling for the sinister and balding Jason Isaacs.
Vogons are so repulsive they might warrant Gary Busey as Jeltz.
Trillian: Ain't got a clue, sorry.
Slartibartfast could be done by Gary Oldman, or Anthony Hopkins depending on how old you think Slartibartfast needs to be.
The book was most certainly English, so can anyone think of a role for Sean Bean?
The book was quintessentially English and the main characters would need to be as well.
Arthur - Hugh Grant - Gosh
Ford - Ewan McGregor
Or maybe use (although they are bit old now)
Paul McGann (I from Withnail and I) as Arthur and
Richard E. Grant as Ford (it would be funny to see those together again)
Anyway back to the rest of cast:
Trillian - tricky (but can you do it?) Maybe Helena Bonham Carter? (need more thought
Zaphod - could be american - Big Jack would be cool
Slartibartfast - David Jason (almost in Duckula mode)
Hey there, everyone. Let me give my list.
Arthur - I understand why everyone is suggesting Hugh Grant: he's tall, dark haired, and "floppy." These are perfect characteristics for Arthur. The thing his, Grant has become too famous as the years have progressed. He's now considered handsome and charming. I'd suggest Jack Davenport of the english version of Coupling to take his place. That guy is quintisentially (sp?) floppy.
Ford - I'm in the camp of Brad Pitt (circa 12 Monkeys) or Johnny Depp. Anyone who can do a weird, twitchy guy who occasionally is far more deep than anyone else in the room is good by me. Just as long as the women don't ooo and ah at the guy's sexiness, I think either guy would do well. I know, he should be English, and if you can find an English guy who can do what needs doing, fantastic. I even have a guy on the edge of my mind. I just can't remember who it is.
Slartibartfast seems to be designed for Christopher Lee. This is a guy who is VERY serious and never seems to notice the bizarreness that surrounds him.
Zaphod - I hate the idea of Jim Carrey in this. Zaphod is just way to cool and self-assured for the looniness of Carrey. Even in his serious roles, Carrey plays a nervous guy. I like the Owen Wilson idea. Honestly, if he were younger, I'd like Jack Nicholson. I mean, who is as self-assured as that guy? No one. But Wilson pulls of the self-assured, stupid, pretty boy well.
Trillian - So we're looking for a really smart blondy, right? Actually, she might not be blonde; I've just always pictured her that way. What about Kate Beckinsale? Check out Shooting Fish. I think she could do this fairly well.
Marvin's voice should stay the same. He's still alive right? The TV show was perfect.
Anthony Hopkins was suggested for a different role, but I think he'd do a great Guide. "Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy lies a small, unregarded yellow sun. Orbiting this at a distance of roughly 92 million miles is an utterly insignificant little blue-green planet whose ape-descended life forms are so amazingly primitive that they still think digital watches are a really neat idea." You could even add the obligatory "Clarice."
Ford is not twitchy he is cool and impish with a mischeivous sense of humour. Wicked thoughts often strike him. He also claims to be from Guilford (I know he is not) and therefore should be a Brit. His hair is gingerish and he needs to be a good drunk. I still stand by McGregor.
Good call on Jack Davenport though....
Ford is about as impish as Russell Crow after a good night out. He's mischievous, but in a Hannibal Lecture kind of way (I'm not insinuating he goes round eating peoples brains, before you get your knickers in a twist.) He's not cute he's a loony (which suits him and I haven't got anything against loonies), he probably doesn’t know it, perhaps everyone on Betelgeuse is that way. Of course he's twitchy, he's spent practically all his life roaming the galaxy getting into fights and completely smashed off Old Janx Spirit.
"I thought you were dead,” Arthur said simply
"So did I for a while," said Ford "and then I decided I was a lemon for a couple of weeks. I kept myself amused all that time jumping in and out of a gin and tonic"
If they get some cutesy actor to play Ford I'll go sneeze all over Disney and see how they like it and ou whilst were on the subject. It’s gonna be out sometime in 2005 possibly, and the screen plays written by the person who did Chicken Run, Spyglass Entertainment are producing it, but the guys who are directing are very much British!
how about bob mortimer for arthur & vic reeves for ford, see randall & hopkirk (deceased) before judging
you can't get the wood you know
I completely disagree, well almost, he is a loony alright but not a billigerant twitchy one. You are talking about Ford From So Long and Thanks For the Fish (which is several years after HHGTTG). In the begining Ford is and eccentric but a harmless one, an unruly boozer with some oddish habits. All he wants is to have a good time. Getting hammered, grinning manically and getting into trouble is his MO. Even in SLATFATF when he hooks the London speaking clock up to the Sirius Cybernetics sales ship it is for his own personal amusement more than anything else.
After seeing Ewan McGregor as Renton in trainspotting, Alex in Shallow grave and a whole host of fun loving amoral characters in his various works I think he would be perfect as Ford. He could even pull off Ford getting steadily madder as the stories progress.
Nightingale where did you find THHGTTG film details? I would be very interested to read about it.
Thanks
I some how managed to sign my self up for the DNA newletter, go to http://www.douglasadams.com/ and its got all the detail on there. I know ford isn't billigerant, but the manic grin and years of boozing kinda makes me think he'd have some weird twitches,like brad pitt who would be perfect to play Ford if he wasnt so gorgeous, which wouldnt be a bad thing because by SLATFATF he'd managed to transform from being rather fish looking and ginger to closely resembling Christian Bale. Did anyone eles go through reading the whole series thinking Ford's second name was perfect and not prefect, I was devasted when my friend told me he's called Ford Prefect and not Ford Perfect. Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer is a brilliant idea. Bob would be perfect as Arthur although perhaps a little short.
shareI guess you are too young to have had a snog in the back of a Ford Prefect. ;~)
shareI'd love to have Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) somewhere in there, but I have no idea who he could be. If Aubrey Morris is still alive and they get to that point in the movie, he would have to be the B-Ark Captain.
shareActually, I love the idea of Paul McGann as Ford Prefect. While we are keeping the "Withnail and I" theme happening, how about Richard E Grant as Zaphod Beeblebrox. He certainly has all the traits the character needs.
shareyou don't know many female physicists do you?
Believe me, she cannot be "blond" and bubbly. It just doesn't work. Ok, so she doesn't need to be kick-ass, but she needs to look like she wouldn't take any crap
I think that the idea of Disney doing this is really making me nervous. After Coupling, AbFab and several other disasters, this has miscasting written all over it.
I really believe that the Yanks will cast on box office power rather than who would be best suited for the part.
The intriging players, as far as i'm concerned, would be Paul Kaye as Ford, Richard Grant as Zaphod and Richard Wilson as The Book.
Jennifer Tilley as Trillian, she's almost American
I could live with Hugh Grant as Arthur Dent since he above all others needs to be English. Although Ewan McGregor would be better. Both of them have star appeal in the States.
I'm sorry that's not right Disney gets hold of it all the parts we love will be cut out. Like the sperm well and so far. ugh no far.
shareI wish Hollywood (and espcially the fuckfaces at Disney) would just leave it well enough alone. They will take something cultish and quaint, and make it a generic hollywood turd with tons of stupid special effects, along with a political correctness and a bit of hip-hop culture thrown in to please the urban crowd. I could see them getting people like Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, or whoever is the flavor of the week to star in the piece of *beep*, and just *beep* ruin it. Douglas Adams will be rolling in his grave if they let this happen. If you are interested in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy rent the god damn video, or read the book. Let's not let hollywood ruin something cool.
shareAdams moved to Los Angeles to get this movie made but died before they started making it. If he didnt want hollywood to make it he wouldn't have moved there or spent ages trying to get it made. Although if hollywood turn it into one big lovie fest, full of political correctness and big bland american actors I'll happily join Douglas Adams and roll inhis grave with him.
shareAm I the only one who wants unknown actors in the movie? Because I think that would work so much better, because if they had actors like Ben Stiller, Hugh Grant or Brad Pitt, then you wouldn't really be able to just watch the movie and judge it by what it is.. I mean, if they had Hugh Grant in the movie, then I would probably hate it a lot, even if the movie itself would be great..
Does that make sense?
I decided the actors in my ideal cast by how they act in their movies, plus they're looks. This is what I've come up with:
The Book: Voice of John Cleese
Arthur Dent: Ewan MacGregor
Ford Prefect: Tim Roth
Tricia "Trillian" McMillan: Natalie Portman (with an English accent, of course)
Zaphod Beeblobrox: Owen Wilson (plus another head and arm)
Marvin the Paranoid Android: Voice of Viggo Mortensen
Slartibartfast: Sir Ian McKellen
I have been watching Coupling and everything about Jack Davenport just screams ARTHUR DENT, the constant confused glances to other characters, the nervous stuttering, but most of all the voice, its quite unnerving.
I wish I was more attractive like Dagless
I agree. I;m convinced that Jack Davenport is a pre-emptive reincarnation of Simon Jones. He'd get my vote for arthur. As far as other characters go, i'm not sure their casting is quite as important as arthur's. He is really the focal point and he needs his little eccentricities(sp? too tired to re-read).
sharei dont know if this is a stupid suggestion but i was watching a show the other day with the english commedian Lee Mack on it and something he said made me think of marvin. if hes not suited for this role though im sure hed fit in another.
Also id just like to say that and american doing marvin's voice would be unbearable. unless they get someone else with a whole hell of lot of comic talent i think only a brit could pull this off. how could u americanise this movie anymore than with whiny, neurotic marvin with an american accent (not that im saying it would neccessarily be whiny and neurotic). Wat im trying to say is that one of the main attractions of most brittish comedy is it's amazing superiority over most american comedy and in my opinion english comedy doest come much bettr that Hitch hikers guide.
Earlier in this post you said the books were not made for children. But, are they appropriate for children?
Eisner will be killed.
Don't forget Disney owns "Touchstone" and a couple of others that they could release this under.
Personaly, I rather like the kitchiness that the original(TV mini) provided, and would probably not go see a new "slick" version.
Okay, as if anyone cares, here are my thoughts on casting. All english people, ESPECIALLY Arthur and Ford, both need to be English. But everyone needs English accents, that was the best part about the miniseries. I liked the John Cleese as the voice of the book idea. It would be much easier to cast if we were back in time, so here's my list. Also, whoever said Tim Roth made me laugh. I love Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt, but either of them as Ford would just about make me cry. (Ford's my favorite character, so I'm a tad picky over him)
The Guide: The voice of John Cleese
Arthur Dent: An unknown
Ford Prefect: A younger version of Eric Idle
Zaphod Beeblebrox: This one was tough. I think I'll actually go with Sam Rockwell (who is the person who they actually cast as him)
Trillian: Uma Thurman
Slartibartfast: Christopher Walken, I think
Marvin: The voice of Alan Rickman
--CROWdish--
"It's a wake"
"SHE'S AWAKE?!"
On second thought, maybe Salma Hayak instead of Uma Thurman. Both of them could pull it off.
--CROWdish--
"It's a wake"
"SHE'S AWAKE?!"
Rik Mayall would be great as ford prefect
shareOk here's my lineup
Arthur Dent: Ewan McGregor
Ford Prefect: Jim Carey or Craig Charles
Zaphod: Bruce Campbell (was apparently linked to the project for a while)
Trillian: Difficult. Nichole Kidman? Angelina Jolie?
Slartibartfast: Michael Gambon
Marvin (voice): Nigel Planer
B-Ark Captain: David Jason
Mister Prosser: Norman Lovett
Don't you see Ash, They're ALIVE!!!
Arthur Dent: Martin Freeman (he looks just like an English everyman. He is great)
Ford Prefect: I don't know... (Mos Def is a good choice, I think)
Zaphod Beeblerox: Johnny Depp. (Sam Rockwell is an excellent choice. He looks hip, and he has brightish hair which is a basic requirement for my Zaphod.)
Trillian: Zooey Deschanel, or Uma Thurman with a black wig
Slartibartfast: Late Sir Nigel Hawthorne (was linked to the project) or Michael Caine (Bill Nighy looks a bit... "hip" I s'pose, but he is a versatile actor, so...)
Marvin (voice): Bill Murray.
Mister Prosser: Richard Griffiths. (Steve Pemberton is good, you know Mr. Prosser is not a central character, it is not needed to be played by a very well-known actor)
Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz (voice): Ken Page
Eddie, the Shipboard Computer (voice): Eric Idle, Hugh Laurie, Roger Gregg...
Fenchurch: Salma Hayek
Wonko, the Sane: David Bowie (I do not really like Mr. Bowie, but he is described just like him in the books)
Deep Thought: John Cleese or Michael Palin (I think it does not have to be a serious voice, come on he says: "You realy not going to like it..."...)
The Man in the Shack: John Cleese
Zarniwoop: Terry Jones
(Humma Kavula and Questular Rontok are new characters so I cannot say anything about them, but Mr. Malkovich is a great actor.)
Gyurkovics Máté
Sad that in the end they didn't use people at all just pieces of wood for the whole cast.
Top Miscasts -
Mos Def - As much charisma and pizazz as a spending a week in a coma. (Ford Prefect should have been someone like Jonny Depp)
Sam Rockwell - Sam Rockwell is simply not a rock star, as much charisma as ..
(+Stupid 2nd head SFX that totally ignored the laws of physics)
Bill Nighy - must have dialled it in - or was spending a year dead for tax reasons...
Lets not mention the awful artless art design & SFX eg Marvin, Vogon spaceships, babel fish, Deep Thought - its (almost) like they were trying to make the worst movie they could.
Lets not mention the worst bit of all - the script. (and from the brilliant source material in the books and BBC TV series) The one good thing about Douglas Adams being dead first - he never got to see how truly bad and dreadful it all was.
Think I will post this as a review..