Who might have done well instead?

[Ariana Undomiel]

My dad and I were talking about this the other day and we were speculating about the idea of what other actors might have done well as characters in the Lord of the Rings. For example, Sean Connery would have been a fabulous Gandalf. Perhaps Robert Redford would have made a good Theoden. Who do you think would do well as an LOTR character?

~Ariana

[zeldamaster13]

Kermit: Frodo.
Fozzy: Sam.
Gonzo: Pippin.
The rat: Merry
Swedish cook: Gandalf:
Miss Piggy: Gimli
Etc...

[Ariana Undomiel]

LOL, that's pretty funny, however I really would like to know who would seriously work as a Lord of the Rings character.

~Ariana

[Talimon]

I've actually done this "who might have" game many times before, but it's ussually been with who could have worked behind the camera. I'm still cursing the fact that PJ didn't take John Toll as head cinematographer. For those of you not familiar, John Toll worked on Braveheart, The Thin Red Line, and Almost Famous, to name a few of his projects. Watch any of those 3 movies and you will be blown away by the shots he manages to capture. He is a master of outdoor photography, and works a lot of symbolism into his shots. LotR would have been the perfect project for him. And maybe, just maybe, he'd convince PJ to cut down on the close-ups and quick cuts. He did the battle scenes in Braveheart and Thin Red Line incredibly, while keeping the camera steady all the while. True genius.

As for Director, from the moment I even played with the idea of seeing a movie of LotR only one name kept pounding in my mind: David Lean. Of course, the fact that he died in 1991 doesn't help, but if ever there was a perfect director for this movie it was Lean. For those of you unfamiliar, go see Lawrence of Arabia, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago, and even A Passage to India. Lean was a master of historical dramas, and could literally transport the audience where ever he wanted them. It's a shame he died before the digital revolution, because in todays world there is no telling what he might have been able to accomplish. But the best part of Lean was his perfectionism. I would love to see that kind of attention worked on Tolkien. And on top of that he was British, in every sense of the word.

I think it's laughable how people have suggested Lucas, though. That is the last person I'd want working on this. Then again, when I heard PJ was directing this movie I was completely blown away. I love PJ's movies, but they are all cult movies with a home-made feel. How could such a director handle this mamoth undertaking? Luckily PJ has earned my trust, and if nothing more he has become an awesome director in my eyes simply due to the fact that he has gone from one extreme to the other. Go rent Bad Taste, or Dead Alive, and tell me this is the same director. PJ has shown an incredibly amount of versatility, which is worth something. Truth be told, seeing things now as I see them, for all I know PJ is the best director out there for this movie. There is no one else I can really think of that should be making these movies. Spielberg has come up again and again, but something tells me it wouldn't work out right.

[Mormegil]

I thought that Cameron Diaz would have been perfect for Galadriel, she has the beauty, intelligence and acting ability to pull it off.

I also thought that Sean Connery would have been perfect as Gandalf, especially after seeing him with long white hair and a beard in 'The Rock'.

[Thorin II]

Nah. My opinion of Cameron Diaz has been so biased by films like 'Charlie's Angels' and 'There's Something About Mary' that I would have to disagree.

As for Sean Connery as Gandalf, well, I'm beginning to see it... Remember him as Ramirez in the Highlander movie (i'm not sure which one)?? Yeah, I could see him as Gandalf.
Then again...a scottish wizard? ROFL. Sorry, thinking of Fat Bastard with a pointy hat and grey robes. "Hey yoo! Is that an Orcish Behbe? GET IN MAH BEHLEH!!!" :D :D

I'll shut up now.


Thorin the Second.

[ReadWryt]

I know at the outset this won't be a popular idea, but I actually think that Peter O`Toole would have made a better Gandalf then Sean Connery...Connery would have made a great Theoden though, IMO.Spielberg has come up again and again, but something tells me it wouldn't work out right. Oh goodness, it would have been a purist's NIGHTMARE! Disney tried twice to make this already, and Spielberg has proven many times that he seems to think he is the reincarnation of Walt, using "When you wish upon a star" in the score of "Close Encounters"...making "Hook", turning "A.I." into Pinnochio...Naw, I have the utmost respect for the guy as a director and feel that he is probably the best living mainstream director in Hollywood, but this was not for him.

[Ariana Undomiel]

Hmmmmm. Peter O'Toole could have been a good gandalf. And true Sean Connery could perhaps have made a good Theoden.

~Ariana

[Talimon]

I know at the outset this won't be a popular idea, but I actually think that Peter O`Toole would have made a better Gandalf then Sean Connery...Connery would have made a great Theoden though, IMO.

Just out of curiousity, seeing that so many people have mentioned other actors for Gandalf... were you upset with Ian McKellen?

[Thorin II]

YES. Sean Connery as Theoden would have been PERFECT!

Remember him from First Knight? He's great in medieval roles.


Thorin the Second.

[Theataris]

I think Patrick Stewart would have made a really *****en Gandalf