MovieChat Forums > Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2001) Discussion > An Actress To Play D?

An Actress To Play D?

posted 17 years ago by sparkiehoohaa
56 replies | jump to latest

The way I see it, there isn't a single actor I can think of that's physically attractive enough to properly play D. Not Josh Hartnett, not Christian Bale, not Johnny Depp, not Vale Kilmer, not Orlando Bloom, and definitely NOT HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN. All of them are either too old, not a good enough actor, or simply just not pretty enough. Unless of course we could somehow shave twenty years off Depp's life, but that's much too unlikely, sadly.

So unless Hollywood just so happens to find an Asian actor who can 1) act, 2), speak English well enough please, and 3) is disturbingly acttractive enough to play a man as disturbingly attractive as D, there simply isn't a male actor who can fill those shoes.

So I say, why does it have to be a male actor?

It's not unheard of for an actress to play a male character, or a character pretending to be male. Definitely not a common occurence, especially in this day and age, but it's not unheard of. So the way I see it, why not get a young actress to play the role?

Voice? D's typically very soft-spoken, thus this is easily managed, and electronic voice alteration could be used on those rare moments when he growls, snarls, etc. Boobs? Tape/strap 'em down. Height? Camera tricks and/or special boots. Muscles? Padding and/or carefully designed costume. Genital heft? Rolled up pair of socks. D's always fully dressed in armor, so it's entirely plausible.

So with this in mind, any thoughts as to which actresses could play D? Currently, I'm at a bit of a loss as to who. Personally I haven't figured out just who yet, but I've been considering the following:

Anne Hathaway
Cameron Diaz
Charleze Theron

Your thoughts?

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I've got a FEVER. And the only prescription, is more cowbell!

[–] sparkiehoohaa 17 years ago

Anyone at all??

_______________________________________________
I've got a FEVER. And the only prescription, is more cowbell!

[–] ben12311 17 years ago

i think thats brilliant
charlize theron isnt a bad choice, but id want Bryce Dallas Howard to play the part, because i wreckon she could pull it off, she has the look, and i think she friggin hot, especially in lady in the water!!

[–] chicken_breasts 17 years ago

I think that'd be cool! It'd be quite a challenge for an actress. If it's successful it could revolutionise the way Hollywood does its casting!... Ha ha yeah wishful thinking...

D does seem kind of scrawny for a grown man, he does seem to have this "delicateness" about him, so a skinny girl, not to mention a freakin' good actress just might be able to pull it off... Have you seen Felicity Huffman in Transamerica? An Oscar nomination well-deserved, she actually convinces you that she is a man wanting to become a woman! So it is possible... But I don't know, I think a guy's sufficient, like I'd always thought Johnny Depp was good enough, I mean the guy looks good for his age, you can tell he takes good care of his skin, even tho he smokes!...

But you mentioned Anne Hathaway? I think she's too womanly for the role.

"Whatever you want baby is fine by me".

[–] HeronGuard 17 years ago

............................... god you people are insane.

[–] savagedamsel 17 years ago

I'm sorry, but this is rediculous. A WOMAN playing D????

Please visit me at www.myspace.com/authoressjo

[–] sparkiehoohaa 17 years ago

Insane like a fox! There's a fine line between genius and insanity, you know. And honestly, what's so ridiculous about it? Note that I'm not suggesting the character D be made female for the movie, I'm suggesting that a woman play a male role, which has huge amounts of precedent. Tilda Swinton's probably the most famous for it, Meryl Streep has done it too, along with Glenn Close (shocked the hell out of me when I found out she played the gutless pirate that ended up in the scorpion-filled chest in Hook), along with who knows how many actresses other, both on camera and on stage.

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I've got a FEVER. And the only prescription, is more cowbell!

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nimrod124 17 years ago

I think an actress could do it. I suggest Cate Blanchett. They would just need to make her more beefy looking which is definately possible. I think she has the perfect face for it though, its shaped just like D's! She is slightly androgynous which helps.

[–] carlosfilipe12 17 years ago

Nah that wouldnt do i watched the movie and for some reason when i saw D i saw marylyn manson when he had long hair of course i think e could do it gice me your opinion

[–] hotrockcandy 17 years ago

Why Marilyn Manson? I say "HELL NO" to that idea. I agree with a woman playing D. Especially Cate Blanchett. There are no really slim beautiful men out there. The closest male I could see being D would have to be either Christian Bale (He has the voice and the face for it.) or Toby Hemingway (He's gorgeous and needs bigger roles.). I would love to see Tilda Swinton play D. She has the long slender face and nose for it. I don't know about Charlize Theron. She has kind of a piggy nose. You'd need someone with a long slender face and a slender nose. There is this actor...from the movie 300. He say's "Then we will fight in the shade..." I think his name was Tom Wisdom...or was it Michael Fassbender? All I know was that he had this gorgeous face. Long eyelashes, slender nose, and a slim face. He'd make a good D too.

You can fondle your phallic symbols all you want, your d**k isn't getting any bigger.

[–] Navel8 16 years ago

for some reason when i saw D i saw marylyn manson when he had long hair of course i think e could do it gice me your opinion

Yikes. No offense, but Marilyn Manson would probably drive away more folks than he'd attract. He might have long, dark hair, but along with his career baggage, somebody done hit that po' boy upside the head with an ugly stick...

It's too bad that Michael Praed's now too old. Back in his Robin of Sherwood days (the 80s, when he was only 22 years old and could pass for a 17- or 18-year old), he was the right age and he definitely had the slim body and the beautiful features, as well as the long, dark hair and the deep, rich voice. He's also tall (6'1"). I haven't seen any other actor that's come anywhere near as close to looking the way I envision D looking...

http://www.thediviningnation.com/michael.htm

http://www.moviemarket.co.uk/Photos/P201649_C69826.html?SID=3ac26013a4 d07e05c0ba68a3e6553dca

(P.S. - D is supposedly thousands of years old, though in the books he is constantly mistaken for a 17- or 18-year-old - hence my observations about Michael's age above.)

[–] TwoMushrooms 17 years ago

1) You know, just because you name3-4 actor who do not fit the role, does not mean there are no male actors whatsoever who can´t do the part. Theremight be thousands of unknown actors who could do D justice.

2) Who says a woman actually is a better choice? Sure, there have been a (few) actresses who played male parts, but I really can´t see any reason for a woman to play D. If that´s the case, why not have a man play Carmilla?

The more people agree with me, the more I believe I am wrong - Oscar Wilde

[–] frontiersmantanis 17 years ago

tak sakaguchi

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g33/ChidoriT/a9ecde2c.jpg

and yes thats a dude lol

[–] CloudStrife_777 17 years ago

I totally agree.

I'd say either him or Takeshi Kaneshiro.

I mean, the female idea is really unique and inventive. I love that unconventionality, but I really just envision either those two guys as D.

Man, I feel like watching the movies now...

^_^

Hahaha, that was so funny, I had sex with your sister.

[–] gjieuh 14 years ago

takeshi kaneshiro...

nail on the head!

[–] Howlatsilvermoon 16 years ago

natalie portman might be a good choice
or no...
famke janseen!!! here's her link http://imdb.com/name/nm0000463/

Jesus sees all. But can he see why kids love Cinnamon Toast Crunch?

[–] instigate_insanity 16 years ago

Didn;t Cate Blanchette play Bob Dylan? It'd be entirely plausible, yes, for a female to play D.

however, I agree with other opinions out there. There are almost without doubt a million blokes out there who could pull it off. Perhaps that special talent just hasn't been discovered yet.

When you're miserable, you need to make someone even more miserable than yourself - Lucy, Elfen Lied

[–] mtgrant 16 years ago

Stuart Townsend.

[–] theviciousnightmare 16 years ago

I gotta say, it seems retarded that some people want an Asian to play D.
He is not supposed to be Asian, if his father, Dracula, was from Transylvania.
And I see no way he could be half, unless you go into fantasy land and make up some reason, just cause you want him to be half Asian, and have an Asian play him.

The idea of an Asian playing him is such a turn off. He is supposed to be sexy and tall, nothing I have ever seen an Asian man possess.

Just my opinion, dont freak out on me for having one.

Charlize Theron has the nose though.

[–] CloudStrife_777 16 years ago

Seems like a dumb and ignorant comment to make. He does have a pretty "Asian" look to him in Amano's drawings, and I can see a woman playing him also.

But saying something like you've never seen a tall and sexy Asian makes me question your objectivity or how many Asian men you've actually seen.

Maybe Asian men aren't your cup of tea, but you don't have to criticize others for thinking so.

I don't believe it's retarded in the slightest. I think making him Asian gives him a unique touch that I don't see in other movies.

D is the epitome of 'man-pretty,' and while I think it's kinda funny to imagine it as such, it's part of his mystique. I respect your opinion and all, but frankly... I think you're a tool.

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Hahaha, that was so funny, I had sex with your sister.

[–] theviciousnightmare 16 years ago

~Seems like a dumb and ignorant comment to make. He does have a pretty "Asian" look to him in Amano's drawings, and I can see a woman playing him also.~

And thats fine for the drawings, but in a movie, a Transylvanian man would not look Asian in the slightest. So its dumb to think of an Asian playing him in a live action movie.

~But saying something like you've never seen a tall and sexy Asian makes me question your objectivity or how many Asian men you've actually seen.~

I have seen plenty, I go to school with allot. Just because I haven't seen any hot ones doesn't mean anything. I was just saying that all the ones I have seen are short, and most have messed up teeth. Not hot, not like D.
Nor do they speak with the eloquence D does. So yeah, Not my cup of tea.
I would not want to watch one play D.
Just because I have not seen any tall or sexy ones, doe not mean I have never seen any. Just because you may, and I said, may, like them, does not mean everyone does.

~Maybe Asian men aren't your cup of tea, but you don't have to criticize others for thinking so.~

Nor do you have to criticize my thoughts on stating that a Transylvanian man would not look Asian, and that I don't like the idea of one playing him. But you want to answer to my post, so fine. I would just like for the Transylvanian dhampir, to look Transylvanian, not Asian, I think its silly.

~I don't believe it's retarded in the slightest. I think making him Asian gives him a unique touch that I don't see in other movies.~

And you would like that, I would not. But I still think its retarded to go into fairyland, and have a Transylvanian man be half Asian, or full Asian, when he's obviously not. He's Transylvanian. He would look it.

~D is the epitome of 'man-pretty,' and while I think it's kinda funny to imagine it as such, it's part of his mystique. I respect your opinion and all, but frankly... I think you're a tool.~

I agree, it is part of his allure, his being almost effeminate, but not girly.
Your post was well thought out, till you became childish with calling me a tool. Maybe one day you'll learn that Transylvanians don't look Asian. Hopefully. Also, how would stating my own thoughts be my being a tool? I think you need a dictionary.

Also, you have said that D is Asian in your book. Lovely for you, living in fairyland.
I think thats retarded, but to each his own.

[–] CloudStrife_777 16 years ago

Excellent. Of course, the universe of Vampire Hunter D is filled with monsters, vampires, and all sorts of other creatures, but having D Asian is completely unheard of and in 'fairyland.'

Doesn't seem like a bit of a stretch to me. It's not set in stone that D couldn't look Asian. Many animes have characters that look European, but you know they're Asian.

Also, stating that Asian men don't have the allure of D is a bit unfair. No human alive has that sort of air to them. I mean, haven't you ever heard of 'acting?'

I'll retract my statement about calling you a tool, but I still think your views are a bit narrowminded.

I know what Translyvanians look like, but the world of Vampire Hunter D is different than ours, and I'd say some flexibility should be allowed.

Well, like you stated, to each their own.

Meanwhile, I'd much rather be living in fairyland than join you living under a rock.

Hahaha, that was so funny, I had sex with your sister.

[–] Son_of_Sambow 16 years ago

Interesting idea. Cool that you're thinking outside the box like that. Would be like Tilda Swinton playing Gabriel in Constantine...

Hmmm.... Tilda Swinton?

Of course there is always Felicity Huffman for those of you who have seen TransAmerica.

For my money....

Christian Bale did a good turn as Howl for Ghibli (voice only), and he's a good actor.

Probably needs someone under 30 to play it, though. Oh, well. The search for an unknown with all the above qualities begins now....

[–] Condemn 16 years ago

It's cool to see some people suggesting Tilda Swinton play D. Tilda is the only woman I could see playing D - she has the right look for him (and I don't believe there are any male actors currently out there with the appropriate features for him). Tilda holds herself extremely well and could easily pull off D's calm yet powerful demeanour - it would probably be a walk in the park for her. Break out some contacts to turn her green eyes blue, dye her hair darker - instant D.

As for an Asian playing D...come on, he's obviously European in race.

[–] TwoMushrooms 16 years ago

I think more or less all of the cast in Vampire Hunter D are caucasian, so indeed it makes little sense in casting as asian man for the part (just as little sense there is when some people try to cast caucasian actors for asian parts).

Nevertheless, why should we have a woman to play D when A) think of it what you will, but D is a man, after all, and B) there are many talented actors out there who could do him justice.

"It´s not the dress that makes you look fat, it´s the fat that makes you look fat."

[–] Condemn 16 years ago

I'm not trying to deny D's a man or anything like that - in my opinion his beauty is without a doubt masculine, and there is no mistaking his gender. Problem is, there doesn't seem to be many male actors who physically suit the profile (especially of D's faultless face).

Hell, I'd much prefer more Vampire Hunter D anime movies rather than a live-action one anyway.

[–] TwoMushrooms 16 years ago

"Problem is, there doesn't seem to be many male actors who physically suit the profile (especially of D's faultless face)"

- Sorry but I really have to disagree. The first reason is that the only male actors brought up in this thread are clichéd choices like Johnny Depp, Josh Hartnett, Christian Bale and other pretty much mainstream actors that really do not fit D at all. We have a world with an endless supply of aspiring actors, I'm willing to bet one can found plenty unknowns who can carry off D's look. If a more "recognizable" actor is needed, I suggest Jonathan Rhys Meiers. And to be fair, are there actually any actresses who "look" like D and can carry his look?

But I do agree on your second point, I'd much rather have another anime instead.

"It´s not the dress that makes you look fat, it´s the fat that makes you look fat."

[–] Condemn 16 years ago

Yep - no doubt the actors out there who would suit all aspects of D are completely unknown, at least to me, hence the 'problem is, there doesn't seem to be many male actors who physically suit the profile (especially of D's faultless face)' remark.

And to be fair, are there actually any actresses who "look" like D and can carry his look?

In my opinion, absolutely - Tilda Swinton.

[–] TwoMushrooms 16 years ago

"In my opinion, absolutely - Tilda Swinton"

- Hehe, I have to disagree again, but I don't find Tilda Swinton any attractive as a woman - yet alone as a man. Besides, the woman is getting close to 50, whereas D is described to look around the age of 18...

"It´s not the dress that makes you look fat, it´s the fat that makes you look fat."

[–] zombieb7tch 16 years ago

how about Ziyi Zhang? too obvious maybe? also im not completely sold with getting a girl to do it

[–] Inu_Ranma 16 years ago

I agree with some of your assessment here. I like the rationale for using Swinton in the first place, though. What we need is an actor with a transcendent bueauty, regardless of sex, because that is exactly how D is portrayed. If anything, it would be incredibly smart to use one very beautiful actor for body and face and possibly dub over the voice? It's an interesting thought.

I don't, on the subject, really think that D is suited to live action, though. His world is really best portrayed in books and animation.

[–] Navel8 16 years ago

It's cool to see some people suggesting Tilda Swinton play D. Tilda is the only woman I could see playing D - she has the right look for him (and I don't believe there are any male actors currently out there with the appropriate features for him). Tilda holds herself extremely well and could easily pull off D's calm yet powerful demeanour - it would probably be a walk in the park for her. Break out some contacts to turn her green eyes blue, dye her hair darker - instant D.

While I agree that Tilda might be able to pull off the demeanor and the body type, she's nowhere near being able to pull off the sheer beauty of D. I can't speak for others, but I don't find her attractive at all. Plus . . . as a female fan, knowing there was an actress under all the makeup and costuming would just ruin it for me completely on a psychological level. D may be absolutely beautiful, but to my mind he's also 100% absolutely MALE. I don't want my favorite "bishy" to be "swishy."

[–] GrandPopPoplock 16 years ago

This is now in my Top 10 worst threads of all time

A woman playing D is an (((((((((((((((((AWFUL)))))))))))))))))))))) idea .

[–] Son_of_Sambow 16 years ago

Course David Bowie would have been perfect about twenty years ago.

[–] munkeh 16 years ago

haha on imdb? this must be an awful thread to be in your top 10.

[–] ssally1990 16 years ago

johnny depp can do it.

give him the old edward scissorhands or sweeney todd make-up
you can shave 30 years off him like that.

he's an awesome actor, so i can definitely see him creating the perfect D.
and his voice... it's perfect. if you listen to him in sweeney todd, it's the perfect low pitch. there's a tone of indifference in it. which is exactly how i imagined D's voice to sound.

we've got CGI now. the setting, the background, special effects... totally do-able.

although, i wouldn't be surprised if Japan actually made the live action first. since, well... hideyuki kikuchi is Japan's own renowned writer of horror.. which probably means that D will be represented by a japanese actor (first, if it's remade in other countries as well)
i think a live action in japan is possible.
it's following the patterns pretty well.
novel-->manga-->anime-->anime movie-->live action film/drama

if that's the case... i'd love to see kenichi matsuyama as D.
he's actually pretty talented. lots of different sides to his acting.
odagiri jo would actually be a great choice too. he's probably one of the best actors in japan. he's also tall, got the right frame, wide vocal range, ... pretty... but maybe appearance-wise kenichi matsuyama has more of the delicate, pointy look.

[–] TwoMushrooms 16 years ago

Why do people think that Johnny Depp is the perfect actor for everything?

"It´s not the dress that makes you look fat, it´s the fat that makes you look fat."

[–] akira_2108 16 years ago

Its funny I always felt that it would be cool if the character D was female. it would be such a change