MovieChat Forums > Neverwhere (1996) Discussion > Bill Nighy

Bill Nighy

posted 19 years ago by Dr_Jack
13 replies | jump to latest

Who reckons that were Neverwhere more widely publicised at the time, Bill Nighy would have been a perfect choice for the role of Marquis de Carabas?

Great lines for him.

[–] elfiesamurai 19 years ago

I have to agree that Bill's an excellent actor... However, he lacks the necessary pigment. =P In the book, the Marquis is described as being very dark-skinned.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] malcolm-smith 17 years ago

For the record a Marquis isn't necesarily French but is obviously derives from the French.

A Marquis is the lowest rank of nobility. Wander around London Upper and you will see many pubs with names such as The Marquis Of Angelsey and The Marquis Of Granby.

[–] Doris_Wildthyme 14 years ago

In the recent comic book, the Marquis is actually black. I don't mean 'of African descent,' I mean pitch black

Yeah, when I saw that I thought it looked bloody ridiculous. He looks less like the Marquis de Carabas and more like Papa Lazarou from The League of Gentlemen!

[–] paddedcell 17 years ago

I have to agree that Bill's an excellent actor... However, he lacks the necessary pigment. In the book, the Marquis is described as being very dark-skinned.

The actor was chosen before the book was finished. Gaiman probably described the character to match the actor.

[–] Mex5150 17 years ago

Hi

I'm not big Bill Nighy fan, he usually does turn in a solid performance, it's just it's always the same bloody performance.

-Mex

[–] kyle_reid1 12 years ago

Haha, loved this comment, and I say that as a Nighy Fan. Good point, well made!

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[–] different-drummer 17 years ago

They already made a perefect choice for the part, so the question doesn't really arise.

[–] Noctambulism 17 years ago

Why does everyone keep forgetting that the miniseries came before the novelisation? Bill Nighy would've been fine.

[–] ihatebeing19 16 years ago

Different-drummer has it right.

I thought Paterson Joseph was immense, Hywel Bennett also, but he always is.

[–] MissFrankenstein 17 years ago

Nah. Paterson Joseph was probably the best thing about the series.

"Shiny. Let's be bad guys".

[–] flash_251 16 years ago

All the while I was reading the book, despite being aware of the Marquis' implied ethnic origin, I couldn't help but hear Richard E. Grants voice every time he spoke. Surely the perfect man for the role.

[–] lorrainemcooper 16 years ago

Bill Nighy would have made an awesome Angel Islington in my opinion. I can see that working quite well.