Have you ever been disappointed in the casting of a character from a book you enjoyed?
I have recently started watching Rebus, a TV series based on a character in books written by Ian Rankin. On ‘googling’ info on it I learned that the character, John Rebus, was initially played by John Hannah but he was later replaced by Ken Stott because fans of the books felt that Hannah’s portrayal of the character did not physically match their image of Rebus, Rankin’s world- weary detective.
This reminded me of the disappointment I felt when, having read and enjoyed Thorn Birds, a novel by Colleen McCullough, I eagerly looked forward to the TV adaptation only to discover that the character of the priest was played by Richard Chamberlain when, in my mind’s eye, I had envisaged the character to be dark haired with rugged good looks. Although I continued to watch the series, my enjoyment was not what I had envisaged.
I felt the same after Thornbirds I imaged the priest as a black Irishman not the soft character of Richard Chamberlain .
Also watched various Jane Eyres none of which stick to the book Jane eyre being usually a wimpy beauty and Mr Rochester a wimpy bloke who is too good looking .
I have only ever come across one film which was better than its book, it’s a film called ‘Atonement’ which starred James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave.
It was from a book by Ian McEwan which I thought was very ordinary.
I only hope the same can’t be said for Dune, which I fell in love with as a read, despite it not actually my sort of go to book. The movie is out now, I haven’t seen it yet and have been putting it off as I worry it will ruin my take from the book…does have Jason Mamoa cast so I think I will end up being happy watching
The Harry Potter films were good.
Game Of Thrones not bad till the last season.
Most are rubbish though, War of the Worlds was dreadful, both makes, but the second was the worst.
I have always preferred books to films. A book you can curl up with and read for days and use your imagination to picture the characters. A film might be an hour and a half and the characters are never as good as you imagine.
The first two were brilliant - with Richard Harris as Dumbledore. Unfortunately he died and was replaced by a plank with all the acting ability of a dead slug - which rather spoiled them for me. Loved Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman!
Sorry, ST, I don’t agree, both played Dumbledore in different ways, but both were good in the role.
Searching I found this & I agree with it.
From Michael Gambon’s edginess to Richard Harris’ gentle, kindly aura, here are some reasons why each actor made such a great Dumbledore.
I think Richard Harris was better, but Michael Gambon can act also. I remember him in a TV series The Singing Detective, he was brilliant in that.
Seems the author may have pulled the plug on films.
Child’s “Jack Reacher” novels were adapted into two Tom Cruise action vehicles: Christopher McQuarrie’s 2012 movie “Jack Reacher” and Edward Zwick’s 2016 sequel “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.” Neither entry was a box office juggernaut and Child announced in November 2018 that he was ending the “Jack Reacher” film franchise and developing a television reboot around the character.
