hell of a cast - The Tempest (2011) Discussion

[–] danielalcantar 16 years ago

I would agree. Except for the fact that I've never believed in Prospero being played by a woman. The character is that of a large, domineering, patriarchal figure. Not a frail, older woman. I fear that despite the wonderful performance Mirren is sure to deliver, I just won't be able to see past what the film could have been.

reply

[–] BondGirl84 16 years ago

Its going to be interesting to say the least, But it is Helen Mirren, they picked the right older woman.

reply

[–] alfa-16 16 years ago

Vanessa Redgrave as Prospero was DREADFUL at The Globe a few years back. Ariel was a female and the whole production lost its anchors and sank horribly half way through.

reply

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] luquet3 16 years ago

yes but I wish they'd cast Harry Lennix instead of Djimoun Hounsou. They have the same kind of physique, except Lennix is much more intense and powerful. He was amazing in Julie Taymor's Titus.

reply

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] factualfiction 15 years ago

I could trust Helen Mirren as Prospero, but Russel Brand?
Am I the only person who thinks that is a really, really bad idea?

Just an idea...

reply

[–] doctor_donna 15 years ago

I don't see anything wrong with Russell Brand. I mean, he's playing the comic relief.

reply

[–] megg_inc 15 years ago

What is he doing with this brill cast, I will never know. Don't get me wrong- I really like Russell but, let's face it, he's much poorer actor than the rest of them.

reply

[–] Evanesco 15 years ago

With you on that. But then again, he's doing comic relief not a drama role so he's not going to be compared to the rest of the cast so much.

reply

[–] Dresscircle20 11 years ago

Unlike you - I don't like Russell Brand as a performer. I find him the most irritating, pointless presence on British Television. Worse - he's not even a professional actor. He's never done the WORK!
But I have to say he is terrific in this Tempest. He does a marvellous job, teamed with Alfred Molina - that consummate professional. It was inspired, brilliant casting. If you know the play you'll love the scenes that Russell Brand appears in.

reply

[–] thegumball 15 years ago

Doesn't being cast as the comic relief usually require that the actor is able to make people laugh?

reply

[–] amoammo 15 years ago

brand did go to the drama centre which is like the most hardcore drama school in the UK

*You're not listening to me. There are other things that need to be taken into account here*

reply

[–] doctor_donna 15 years ago

Um, they should have cast someone scrawny and creepy as Caliban, not a manly muscular hottie.
He's supposed to be like a creepy pervy fish-man.

reply

[–] caixaman 15 years ago

There are so many great names in this! Can't wait!

reply

[–] artymas 15 years ago

I really hope Alan Cumming actually joins the cast and isn't just "rumored." I love his acting and would love to see him in this.

"...I'm going to need more rope." -Candle Jack

reply

[–] its_a_GeoffreyRush_thing 15 years ago

Amen. Killer cast we have here! I'm looking forward to this!

'Listen to Geoffrey Rush' - Adam Hills

reply

[–] modrnbeatnik 15 years ago

His website says he is, and that he is playing Sebastian.

reply

[–] Doctor_Fu_Manchu 15 years ago

Chris Doyle's the Cinematographer on this!!!!!!

Last Films Watched: 13 Tzameti(Géla Babluani, Film) - 7/10

Shamo(Pou-Soi Cheang, Film) - 6.5/10

reply

[–] Zinnober 15 years ago

I cannot express how excited I am about this. Djimon Honsu as Caliban!? That's so awesome! I even like the gender switch from Prospero to Prospera. I wonder how that'll affect the story.

This is so great.

http://eugenicsbeginswithyou.typepad.com/

reply

[–] deadly_tuna 15 years ago

Wait, I'm confused. Ben Whishaw as Ariel?
Isn't Ariel a female role?

And I really don't see how Hellen Mirren's going to work out as a female Prospero.
But apart from that, yeah, damn fine cast.

reply

[–] Zinnober 15 years ago

Well they're obviously reversing some gender roles around - I don't see what's so confusing about it.

http://eugenicsbeginswithyou.typepad.com/

reply

[–] deadly_tuna 15 years ago

What I find confusing is why they need to do it.
Although, I am very intruiged as to how it'll all pan out.
I was in a production of the tempest last year, and i was the butler-person (whose name escapes me)

reply

[–] Zinnober 15 years ago

I don't think anyone NEEDS to do it - I think it's just an interesting way of reinterpreting the play. That's what directors do - they interpret and reinterpret a story. Personally, I think it's really interesting. It might bring something new out of the story.

http://eugenicsbeginswithyou.typepad.com/

reply

[–] mandy_pandy18 15 years ago

Ben Whishaw as Ariel - woop woop!! :D yes an AMAZING cast, although I do think Russel Brand doing Shakespeare will be...interesting...!! LOL

"I'm not a heathen, I'm a sinner." - Sebastian Flyte, 'Brideshead Revisited'

reply

[–] gayspiritwarrior 15 years ago

Ariel is not a female role, though it has been played so. In a superb made-for-TV "Tempest" many years ago, Maurice Evans [better-known, alas, from "Bewitched,"] was Prospero and Roddy McDowell was Ariel.

"The value of an idea has nothing to do with the honesty of the man expressing it."--Oscar Wilde

reply

[–] amoammo 15 years ago

no, ariel is a spirit and is almost always played by a man.

reply

[–] factualfiction 15 years ago

Some of the best performances I've seen of "The Tempest" have had female Ariels although the best had Julian Bleach and he was really good.

I've always thought of Ariel as an androgynous character though

Just an idea...

reply

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] beccaj_ilh 15 years ago

Ariel was traditionally a male role- but can be played male or female. He seems to be played by a woman more often now because there are so few female parts.

Really, Ariel is a sort of gender-less spirit.

reply

[–] Dresscircle20 11 years ago

No Ariel is not a female role. Ariel is a sprite - a fairy -and therefore androgynous.

reply

[–] Jordie38 15 years ago

he is actually filming. they are on location here in my hometown.

reply

[–] BillBlake 15 years ago

I have to completely agree. What a great cast for, in my opinion, the best of Shakespeare's best plays.

reply

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Zinnober 15 years ago

As far as I understand, Ariel has never been given a gender. I think of it as female - though it is true that Ariel is traditionally played by men. Of course, in Shakespeare's time, all characters were played by men... so who knows.

http://eugenicsbeginswithyou.typepad.com/

reply

[–] wolverinesforever 15 years ago

Woah, I was anticipating this film because it was Julie Taymor and she's just coming off the quite good "Across the Universe," but DANG, that's one great cast she's got going for her! Djimon Hounsou? Helen Mirren? David Stratharian? I'm sold! Let's hope this film get's released this year! (It is, right? No sudden bumps in the release schedule?)

FYC: "WALL-E" for Best Picture

reply

[–] marissaeugine 14 years ago

I KNOW! The cast is jaw droppingly good =)

reply

[–] billy_liar13-1 14 years ago

I wouldn't get so down on Russel Brand just yet.
This sounds stupid...but I just watched "Get him to the Greek" and while the movie was pretty horrible Brand's performance was surprisingly good. I didn't know he had it in him, but he gave a nuanced at times touching go at it in my opinion. Made the movie for me. And he has been classically trained...

reply