MovieChat Forums > Queen of the Desert (2017) Discussion > WTF! Why no Micheal Fassbender?

WTF! Why no Micheal Fassbender?

posted 11 years ago by zack_wall
18 replies | jump to latest

Am I alone in thinking that Robert Pattinson was EXTREMELY poorly cast for this film? Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the actor for his unfortunate life choices(cough Twilight cough), but he is NOT T.E. Lawrence by any stretch of the imagination. However, Michael Fassbender would have been the perfect choice. Heck, he even nailed his mimicry of the movie character in Prometheus, so I'd have thought he'd be a shoe-in for the role. Poor decision, poor decision.

[–] tracygee 11 years ago

Michael Fassbender did an excellent imitation of Peter O'Toole.

Peter O'Toole is not T.E. Lawrence. He's an actor who played T.E. Lawrence.

This is a film about Gertrude Bell, not a remake of Lawrence of Arabia.

I think if Herzog thought Pattinson was perfect for the role, then he will probably deliver what Herzog wants.

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] mslittleninja 11 years ago

I see your point. I've seen Cosmopolis and Little Ashes but I'm just not that impressed. A league of his own? I think they could have done better with that though. Anyway, Fassbender is older (they're looking for a younger actor, obviously) and he has quite a few projects on so I don't think he would be available. Surely, he would be perfect for the part.

[–] susie5552003 11 years ago

The critics were very impressed with Pattinson in Cosmopolis, he got great reviews for his performance in it.

[–] MetalMiike 11 years ago

Pattinson's natural English accent and look works for Lawrence. Fassbender's always fun to watch but you're only thinking of him because of Prometheus; don't forget, in that, David wasn't T.E. Lawrence but a Lawrence of Arabia fanboy.

All the best people shave twice a day.

[–] Marnye 11 years ago

Exactly, Susie, for Cosmopolis Pattinson got better reviews than the film itself.

Rob: 12 times on French news programmes. His face is a Greco-Roman marvel.

[–] scott-cocoonmedia 11 years ago

If Werner Herzog can can get an amazing performance out of Nicolas Cage, then I imagine he can get a good one out of Pattinson

[–] Atdheu90 11 years ago

What you've said is uneven... Comparing Nic Cage with Pattinson, it's not the smart thing to do... Cage is around 50 and has delivered some performances of the highesy caliber such as Leaving Las Vegas and The Adaptation, which i doubt Pattinson will ever do... But to be more fair we have to look at Cage's performances when he was younger, at Pattinson's age. In movies such as Birdy, Raising Arizona and Moonstruck, Cage manages to make it clear to us that he's really talented, which he did show in the future... No i have to admit, ever since Global Financial Crises back on 2009, Cage has been chasing the cheque which has made a lot of people to ask if he still "has it", and i'm eager to see David Gordon Green's "Joe" to see his answer.

- Patt's only good performance so far, has been in Cronenberg's Cosmopolis. He's wooden acting in the terrible Twilight series is just as terrible as the movie is...

- This project is the best chance for Pattinson to show what he's made of, judging from peoples who have worked with master Herzog, just to mention Bruno S. (The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser & Stroszek), where the rumor has it that he was mentally challenged have managed to give superb performances (Kinski, Ganz, Cage, Bale, Shannon, Dourif).

Anyway Cheers !!!

[–] lemos-4 11 years ago

I would like to see Fassbender and Herzog together, of course Watts and Herzog is a must, From the very beginning I think Fassbender has to have a part in this movie, maybe instead Franco.

[–] CeroneSicario 11 years ago

Pattinso can pull a rather decent performance once in awhile (Harry Potter 4), but I just CANNOT see him as T.E. Lawrence. Herzog could find millions of better actors for the role.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] CeroneSicario 10 years ago

Not saying he's a bad actor, after seeing The Rover last month I can also agree that he's got some range, I just think it looks like a miscast, but who knows, we'll have to wait and see. I was thinking Damian Lewis would even been a better choice and yet he's in the cast XD

[–] sammie1863 10 years ago

You do realize the period being depicted don't you? Lawrence is in his mid 20's at the point in the story he is introduced. Pattinson is much more suitable for the role than Lewis or Fassbender.

[–] CeroneSicario 10 years ago

Touche.

[–] agracier-574-436194 9 years ago

Ralph Fiennes did an excellent Lawrence in 'A Dangerous Man'. Of course he would be quite too old for the part now I fear. But from reading numerous biographies on Lawrence, I get the impression that RF did a somewhat better job than Peter O´Toole actually, but in a far less extravagant production.

And for what my opinion is worth, I would have thought Michael Fassbinder to be the almost axiomatic choice for a new Lawrence actor ...

[–] sammie1863 9 years ago

He is too old to play Lawrence during the time frame depicted.

[–] naples-884-346409 9 years ago

I saw "Queen of the desert" yesterday and he's O.K.

The T.E. Lawrence in this movie is basically an inexperienced young man without the education or culture
that Bell has. Pattinson looks a little ridiculous in his arab dress and that's just fine, because he's not the hero in this film,
just a comedic sidekick. At the end even Winston Churchill says to Lawrence: "Shut up, boy!"
He's not important in this story.

And Pattinson is well cast: When they shot the film Pattinson (born 1986) was 27 or 28.

That's near the age T.E. Lawrence (born 1888) was when he met Bell (about 22 or 23).

Even his facial features look similar to Lawrence, more so than Peter O'Toole: Check the pictures!

And he's British, so the accent's fine.

It's spot on casting & a decent performance actually.

Good movie BTW !