MovieChat Forums > Death Note: Desu nôto (2006) Discussion > American remake cast for Light and L(who...

American remake cast for Light and L(who would you pick?)


It would be interesting, if they cast an American actor for Light while L is still a Japanese actor .. What'd guys think of this?

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I kind of agree, even though it should be the other way (Light being japanese, L american), but I kind of agree with you, it would be interesting if they were to bring a japanese actor.

That's how I'd like them to be cast:

Light - Kevin Zegers http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3070/kevinzegers88cc.jpg
Misa - Teresa Palmer http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2918682880/nm1954240
L - Ken'ichi Matsuyama (he was perfect as L. if only he spoke english fluently.)

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This is my remake cast both are included obviously:


Light-Emille Hursch(Speed Racer)-If he grows his hair out and dies it that color, he can pull it off. He looks and sounds like Light A LOT. And he's a descent actor.
L-Robert Downey Junior-Don't know why, I could just see him playing the character.
Misa-Ashley Tisdale-I know, don't jump me, but she CAN act outside of musicals as she's shown. She has the blonde hair and bubbly personallity, and hell she looks like Misa in a lot of ways. It just fits.
Near-Josh Hutcherson(Bridge To Terebithia, Journey To The Center of The Earth 3D)- Watch five minutes of his acting and TRY to tell me he doesn't scream Near. He'd just need to dye his hair and he'd look just like him. Right size, right look, and a rather good actor for someone his age.
Mello-And Unknown-I have no idea who could play him, I'd say they really need an Unknown.
Teru Mikami-Johnny Depp- Only person I can really see playing the role, and having interest in it. We all know he can act.
Kiyomi Takada-Rachel Billson(Jumper)- I saw her in Jumper and I immediatly thought of one of my characters and Takada. She really just screams Takada.
Ryuk-Voice of: Whoever did the anime version(forgot his name)-The guy did a very good job I'd say that's the best choice.

The others are assuming they decide to do the second saga.
"I don't break the rules, I just bend them-a lot"-Sideswipe,Transformers

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Sorry partner but the only thing I agree with is Ryuk's comment. Also his voiced by my favorite Voice Actor Brain Drummond. Truly a Magnificent Voice Actor.

An Action fanatic-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCTah08ErXI

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I would say L-Johnny Depp. Depps voice fits the rule, and his quirkiness in Pirates compliments L way to well. Second choice for L: Stuart Townsend his role as Dorian Grey in League of Extradionary Gentleman has remnants of L, and his brief role in Night-Stalker as reporter Kolchak radiates the detective side of L to a key. Not to mention his voice just show a range to it.

Ryuk: The shinigiami I would suggest Robert Englund if they include the death gods in the movie.

Light: Masi Oka. His role in Heroes seems to fit Light Yagami cover identity as a smart student, and there's one espisode in Heroes where he plays his confident time-assassin future-self, which fits Kira simply for the fact of his sinster intentions.

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Not sure about L, but looking at the "21" cover I think Jim Sturgess would make a cool Kira. And I'm okay with Ashley Tisdale for Misa or even Hilary Duff, wherever she is...

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Vanessa Hudgens as Naomi Misora
Raye took some naked pictures, now they're on the internet... XDDDD

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Kevin Zegers as Light
Joseph Gordon Levitt as L
Kirsten Bell as Misa Amane
Alan Rickman as Soichiro Yagami
Aaron Yoo as Matsuda
Emily Blunt as Naomi Misora
Ron Perlman as Ryuk

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OMG!!!! I THINK SO TOO!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!

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Johnny Depp, while one of the greatest actors in the business, can not play a 18 year old kid....

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L is actually 25, but still I know what you mean. Maybe if Johhny Depp was 10 or 15 years younger.

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I have to agree with that as well and I adore Johnny. Maybe in his 21 jump street days but not now.

ps. my daughter, who loves deathnote, doesn't think that there should be an american remake


BUT WHY IS THE RUM GONE
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i really dont think there should be either. ive seen plenty of japanese shows, mostly anime, be royally screwed up by us americans. if you've ever watched the japanese version and then the english/american version of an episode or movie then you would see a big diffrence between them always with the japanese version being better.

also really only L, the FBI agents, and possibly Watari are the only characters in death note that ARENT japanese. L and possibly Watari,(and mello, near, and matt now that i think about it. i dont think either of them are japanese either.) their all from England/the UK and the FBI are all from america. so really the only realistic non japanese characters should be for them, leave the rest of the cast japanese if you were going to do it.

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No one. I dont want to see a remake.

Don't worry. You might actually do some good before you die.

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I don't want a remake either! Hollywood can't come up with anything original. They borrow too much from other foreign film and remake older Hollywood movies. Enough!!!!!!!

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It seems an American issue there...even live action movies don't transition all that great from Asian to American. The Ring, The Grudge, Dark Water, The Eye, The Uninvited, Pulse...all of them were utterly brilliant Japanese or Korean films that got completely butchered in the US. Everyone was freaking out over how good The Ring was and I watched it and just couldn't stand it...every aspect save perhaps the cinematography were way, WAY superior in the original.

--
*+_Charos_+*

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who thought themselves good because
they had no claws."

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uhh, for the record L is not 18 he's atleast 24 or so years old, but still i agree, depp is to old to play L

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L - Fredrik 'MaDFroG' Johansson

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first of why are all you people picking all these old actors for parts who are supposed to be young people. secondly are you kidding with Masi Oka? Light is young. tall. handsome. smart. and has an edge, masi is a fat nerd d list actor come on man.

The world's smartest man poses no more threat to me than does its smartest termite.

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Hursch could fit the role... but I never seen him convincingly play a "bad guy" role. In my view he fits good guy roles a lot better... but then again he is a great actor and might just pull it off.

L - Robert Downey Junior - What! L is just a kid, the same age as Light, no way a 43 year old can play 18-19!!

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See, I was thinking (even though they would be much older than what they're originall supposed to be...)

But:

Zac Efron as Light (sorry...)
Jackson Rathbone as L (or Leigh Whannell)
Gary Oldman as Chief Yagami
Brian Drummond as the voice of Ryuk (originally)

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i reckon for L, it should be smallville guy who plays superman.

as for light, i think it should be the guy who plays one of the main character in bullet proof monk, scott lee or something

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Isn't L meant to be English and Light Japanese?

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Personally I think they should use unknowns or at least have auditions. That way they can find people that perfectly fit the idea of what an "L" type character or "Light" is rather than just find popular actors and be done with it. But if I had to pick, I'd go with Sam Riley from Control for Light, Laura Ramsey from the Ruins as Misa and maybe an unknown for L

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Actually, Depp has played younger roles before despite his age. Example: He pulled it off pretty well in the beginning of Blow. That's all I have to say about that. Also, though were just some picks off the top of my head casting is always a bit tricky. Personally, I agree with Vegeta373 probably better to go with unknowns always cool to see people freak-out about new actors, and see new talent.

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WOW zac efron is LIGHT

http://www.aolcdn.com/red_galleries/zac-efron-400ds0814.jpg

http://lifefamilyetal.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/ze-kira.jpg

Unbelievable!!!!!!

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Joseph Gordon Levitt as Light.

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The kid from 21 needs to be light and i think with the make the did for Johnny Depp in sweeny todd they could make him a really good L. And i think either Kate Bosworth or Alyson Mischka should be Misa.

[link]www.youtube.com/NickSantrizos555[link]

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Zac Efron for Light. He defiantly looks the part. It would be nice to see him breaking away from Disney roles.

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*stares in shock* No. Zac yes does look a hell of a lot like a white version of light but i can bet that the movie would blow if he plays light.

[link]www.youtube.com/NickSantrizos555[link]

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I really like the Idea of Emile Hirsh in the movie. He could make a good Light or L.

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feels so good to feel again~ kurt Cobain

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I'm with CinnaMonkey. Joseph Gordon Levitt would be great, as usual, and he's about the right age. Whoever gets to play Misa has a challange. I mean: she should be sort of spoiled and annoying, but at the same time the audience must be able to like her.

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Kon's right about Misa. But lets get to it WTH could play L?!? after re-watching both the Sub and Dub my best and most logical guess would be Johnny Depp. L is 25 with some make up he could look it and Depp could do a voice similar to L's Dub. Depp is just as quarky as L and can be serious and funny.

[link]www.youtube.com/NickSantrizos555[link]

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Another choice for L would be Freddie Prinze Jr.. Only, because I think he's under-rated, and given the chance I think he could pull it off. Now, before you give me crap about no way he could do it. That's what they said about Ledger, and The Dark Knight. That's if we can pry him away from Vince McMahon long enough.

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For some reason William Moseley popped up in my head....idk...

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Um, I like Matsuyama Kenichi as L. I can't see anybody, but him as L. Obviously, there will be someone else-so he better be as cute as Matsuyama. heh heh.


"Come On In And Rock This House!" ~Super Junior

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Light should be an American...don't know who it could be

L should either stay the same or a British guy...

I don't know if I'd want to see it remade - hopefully it won't be ruined

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L is supposed to be young looking, he's only 20-24... so NO OLD GUYS! (like a lot of people are picking...)

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Hmmm....really don't want to see Death Note turn into a HSM extravaganza seeing as how I don't think any of those actors have the abilty to serve the chacters with dignity . Don't care how much Zac Efron looks like a white version of Light I don't want him play Light . Maybe Chace Crawford could play Light ? He looks like him too and is (in my opinion) a better actor . Ken'ichi Matsuyama was a brilliant L so those will be some big shoes to fill if that's even possible they better get some one really good for him .

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Skandar Keynes maybe? http://skandar.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=72&pos=27

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I don't think so, don't forget that Light is described constatly as very handsome and irresistible, while Skandar Keynes is just very cute. Light shouldn't be "cute". If you're mentioning him for L, L as to be older.

As I mentioned before, I still think Kevin Zegers would be the perfect Light: http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3070/kevinzegers88cc.jpg

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I agree, Kevin Zegers would be awesome. I love him :)

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I beginning to see that about Kevin. He's alot hotter now than he use to be...
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Zach Efron. Seriously.

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As much as I hate to admit it I think Zac Efron would make a very good Light. He looks like him, and I believe if given the chance he could do it.

As for L, I HAVE NO CLUE, they would be better off with a no-name actor, the only person I can think of is Wes Bentley: http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/c olumbia_pictures/ghost_rider/wes_bentley/ghostrider2.jpg

and I dont even think he can do justice lol.

"Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd"
"Official Bleeder" - Town Apprentice

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I think Chace Crawford looks the part as much as Efron - I think it would come down to who could portray the confident, cool, calm collected light better. I mean Light is as much in the attitude as in the looks - Anyone could be made to look close enough with the right haircut.

As for Wes Bently as L - I think he would be PERFECT - I mean he looks enough like him (I dont see anyone looking an exact match) and he can play that type of quirky character.

Neeeehoooo this is just my opinon, feel free to swear at me in reply

Emperor Tiberius: death to all those who oppose my undisputed power

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^ I definitely agree with your picks. Esp. Chace Crawford, he looks SO much like Light...

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I agree that zac efron looks the part but I'm not sure if I'd want him playing light.

The entire time I watched the anime, L reminded me of Johnny depp (a little bit from Benny and Joon i guess.) I wouldn't want him playing L anymore than I'd want Zac Efron to play Light. But that's who I pictured in my head as L.



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I agree sooo much with Chace Crawford!! He looks like Light and is a better actor than Efron!! I was watching him on Gossip Girl the other day and he was scribbling on a piece of paper and the same thought dawned on me!!! I kept on imagining him saying "I will be the God of a new world!!" lol!

"Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd"
"Official Bleeder" - Town Apprentice

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I agree that, if you're gonna make an American remake, the lead character will inevitably be American, however, L should remain Japanese, for one simple reason. The alias Ryuzaki that L uses, would not make any sense if used by an American, it's a Japanese name, and unless you change it to an English name, there's no reason to use an American actor.

I also agree that the actor who played L should be in it. However based on his English speaking skills in L: Change the World. I don't see that happening, whether he's fluent or not, his accent is far too thick to be used in an English speaking movie.

If I were to direct the American Death Note, I would do my best to improve his speaking, because I want him in my movie as L.

READING INCREASES YOUR PENIS SIZE. SPREAD THE WORD.

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Doesn't he only use the alias 'Ryuzaki' because the whole story is set in Japan?? He's done other cases, like the one in LA for example. If it were set in America (which is what they will probably do) they will most likely give him an English alias. I always assumed that Light was Japanese and L was American, but that's just me. However, the Japanese actor who plays L will be very VERY tough to beat haha.

"Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd"
"Official Bleeder" - Town Apprentice

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L was most likely British of Japanese descent seeing as well Wammys House is in England.

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I disagree.

"L should remain Japanese" L was actually one of the few main characters that are not Japanese.

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i completely agree with you about L. I wouldn't want anyone but Ken'ichi Matsuyama to play L!

btw, your signiture is really funny, kudos

John: ..but a talking snake made a lady eat an apple, so we're screwed -Man From Earth

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American need to stop remake foreign movie and come up with their own movie

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I don't think that the race of the actor who plays L should really even be that important since he was mixed race in the original story(Japanese
,English,Russian,French/Italian ,as Tsugumi Ohba has said) so unless it is even possible to find an actor that is all of those things and can play the part well I don't see why so much focus would be on that .

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erm... isnt l suppose to be english? unless im wrong...
i really dont think there should be a remake, simply because they usually arent very successful. also, sometimes they spoil it for fans because they make it look so different and cheap (no offence just my opinion) cause i really cant imagine anyone in hollywood who can portray a perfect L or light. but if they were to make 1, i would really wan them to stick to the original l.

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I agree. After just watching L: Change the World, I can't see any American actor able to pull off the personality and movements that Kenichi does. I don't have any inkling as who I'd like to see, but each character has specific traits that make them interesting that needs to be taken into consideration. If they were going to do this movie, I would like to see some unknowns in the main roles.

P.S. i don't think any HSM stars should be suggested. I have nothing against them, and some of them are good actors, but I seriously can't see them pulling off any of the roles.

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my choices, why?: beacuase of the looks, acting and age


Light:
-Nicholas Hoult (age 19): ("skins", "about a boy")
http://www.teenidols4you.com/blink/Actors/nicholas_hoult/nicholas_houl t_1184780486.jpg

-Aaron johnson (18): (The illusionist)
http://www.teenidols4you.com/blink/Actors/aaron_johnson/aaron_johnson_ 1219325032.jpg

http://www.teenidols4you.com/blink/Actors/aaron_johnson/aaron_johnson_ 1215384192.jpg

L:

-Joseph gordon-Levitt (27): ("brick", "Mysterious skin")
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/katie__pillar/JGLWHITESHIRTJEANS. jpg

-Lou Taylor Pucci (23): ("thumbsucker")
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t228/mari_16x/Lou%20Pucci%20Taylor% 20Green%20Day%20Video/Lou8.jpg -->from jesus of suburbia
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p237/OctoberTwilight/Gorgeousness/G uys/3091650_gal.jpg


Mello:

-Jamie campbell bower (20): ("sweeney todd")
http://www.observer.com/files/imagecache/article-teaser/files/Vilkomer son-JamieBower9H.jpg


Near:

-Logan Lerman (16):("3:10 to yuma", "butterfly effect", "the number 23")
http://www.teenidols4you.com/blink/Actors/logan_lerman/logan_lerman_11 71982657.jpg

-Liam Aiken (18):("Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events")
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r158/evilbitchydemon/LiamAiken.jpg

misa:
-Amanda seyfried (23): ("mama mia!", "Alpha dog") and she can sing!
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/katie__pillar/xcoiep.png






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I still stand by my choices for the two main characters and the actors who would play them.
Chance Crawford - Light (I think he could look as serious as Light does in some scenes. As for the "crazy moments" he would really have to go for it when acting)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt - L (I can very well see him sitting on a chair in that awkward position, with his thumb on his lips and holding mobile phones with only two fingers. I really think he could pull it off!)

I also agree with orevalc about Jamie Campbell Bower playing Mello.

Don't know about the others though

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oh wow, you are spot on
Levitt could be a great L
the only thing I do not agree with you on is Light, as soon as someone on the board said Zac Efron for Light, well i thought that was a great idea

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