MovieChat Forums > Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010) Discussion > Almost universally BAD casting

Almost universally BAD casting

posted 14 years ago by flyoverland
27 replies | jump to latest

I've read all of the books so far with my kids...

If the books weren't illustrated, I could see how they could take such liberties, but they are illustrated! Based on the style of the drawings, Greg Hefley is a blond kid. His mom is a brunette. The Coach has a bristle cut, like ex-military. Roderick looks like he's a sophomore high school, not college. And so on. There are two supporting characters that are even close to the book: Chirag and Fregley.

What they've made looks funny, but I don't get why anyone would adapt a book like this and intentionally take such liberties and make such blunders.

What were they thinking?

[–] HollyMegan 14 years ago

Honestly, I think casting based only on looks is silly (especially if the original drawings never had colors or descriptions......) I admit there are things to criticize about turning a book like this into a live action movie, but criticizing solely based on appearance is pretty silly. I've seen the kid who plays Greg, Zach, on other shows and he's a pretty talented young man. If the actors can't act, fine. But saying "oh, she doesn't have brown hair, he doesn't have short hair!" seems like fairly petty concerns...

[–] scottybiff 14 years ago

And how are they supposed to find a kid that looks like Manny?

I think they did a pretty good job, considering the obvious challenges. Either way, I'll wait to see the movie before criticizing the casting. I agree, Zachary Gordon is very talented, as is Devon Bostick.

[–] Petit_Gateau 14 years ago

Yeah, but they could have at least thought of this..and maybe made changes to the actos to stick closer to the storyline.

[–] Finnish 14 years ago

From the trailer I thought they got the best child actors ever. I had never heard about this project, I knew nothing about it, but I saw the trailer and the children were surprisingly capable. Usually even one passable child is a little miracle.

[–] kittd82 14 years ago

The drawings were exaggerations by one person.
So the casting, pretty much, had to be loose.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] xmonn 14 years ago

I have no knowledge of the books but saw the movie today - it was horrible - even by juvenile standards. The lead character wasn't "wimpy" as much as he was a selfish and lying coward. My daughter (seven years old) hated the adaptation and she isn't nearly hard to please as me.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] bela202 14 years ago

*cough*Advanced screenings*cough*

"Leave and never darken my towels again!"

[–] xmonn 14 years ago

Thank you Bela.

I'm a movie critic. I see everything before it comes out.

[–] Wackd_w_apostrophe 14 years ago

The lead character wasn't "wimpy" as much as he was a selfish and lying coward.

That's not something that got lost in translation--in fact, I've read the books and if that's how Greg comes off than they did a very good job keeping his character close to the novels.

"I think the idea of art kills creativity." --Douglas Adams

[–] HollyMegan 14 years ago

Lol. If you read the books that's exactly how Greg is. If anything, I think they toned it down a little for the movie.....

[–] Flickfan-3 14 years ago

yes--wimpy about telling the truth and taking responsibility

these books came out after my kids were older -- so we did not read them--went tonight just because the time fit our schedule...
husband and I and three kids about 15 were in the movie--
nobody was laughing...

and this was gross humor--having a potty chair at the table--what gives with that...is that really in the book???

and a lot of this stuff was borderline homophobic behavior to me--was I reading too much into it...

"...That's the beauty of argument, Joey. If you argue correctly, you're never wrong..."

[–] MrsPeacock 14 years ago

Aren't the drawings just black? I don't see how you can tell hair color, but I haven't looked at one in a while.

I was wondering this myself. I don't remember any of the illustrations ever being in color.

---
"Little latin boy in drag, why are you crying?"

[–] superchunk5000 14 years ago

How can you tell the difference between a college kid and a high school sophomore from a black-and-white pencil drawing?

Greg has three black hairs - three hairs! How can you determine that he is blond?

[–] Wackd_w_apostrophe 14 years ago

Good luck finding a kid with a pefectly round head, pupils without eyes, and only three strands of hair coming out of the back of his head to play Greg.

"I think the idea of art kills creativity." --Douglas Adams

[–] adrianpink-609-584710 14 years ago

But Rodrick was a junior in the first book. And I think Greg fits better as a brunette because it's more average.

[–] inuyasha_luvr 14 years ago

I agree most of the characters didn't look like the characters in the book.
Rowley's dad, Mr. Jefferson, looked exactly like he did in the book, though. It was almost scary. XD

I <3 TOTAL DRAMA WORLD TOUR! - Noah FTW!!! :]

[–] Great_Gazoo 14 years ago

In they book they are all stick figures for crying out loud!