If you could recast the LOTR trilogy, who (if any) would you replace?

**ManuelKomnenos** · August 04, 2012, 07:23 AM

Let me first say that I think the LOTR trilogy has one of the best castings in the history of cinema. There is such a wide range of interesting characters and nearly all of them have been portrayed excellent. But if I could I would make a few minor changes. I haven't read the books since I was twelve so I can't remember much of how the characters are originally described, but this would be how I think they could work even better with the story:

Aragorn -

I thing Viggo did a great job with Aragorn and he was without a doubt a better choice than Nicholas Cage or Stuart Townsend, who both could have ended up with the role. At the same time, I think Viggo was a bit too nice. A bit too perfect. I would want more of an antihero. Antiheroes have been all the rage in Hollywood for the last ten years, and one could say that the more archetypal hero that Viggo made out of Aragorn is almost refreshing, and deeply needed in a story filled with flawed human characters. I agree with this sentiment, so I wouldn't want Aragorn's actions to be any different, but I would have liked him to have some rougher edges. Daniel Day Lewis, Daniel Craig or maybe even someone like Robert Carlyle (if he could add some weight) would have been even better.

Arwen -

Not a very interesting character in itself, so it wouldn't matter all that much who plays her, but she is supposed to be a bit mystical, melancholic, and beautiful. I think Liv Tyler was none of this. Of course she is beautiful, but not the sort of elven beauty, in my opinion. And her expression never conveys that she has a lot on her mind. Uma Thurman, Sophie Marceau or Diane Kruger could have made her a bit more interesting.

Denethor -

John Noble's portrayal of this character was particularly menacing. I am slightly uncomfortable each time he appears. It's a character I just hate, like Geoffrey in GoT, albeit in a slightly different manner. Achieving this is an actors feat in itself, but I think the story would have been better if you could sympathize with Denethor as well as dislike him. John Hurt or Alan Rickman (could really look like the father of Faramir) would have been preferable.

Eomer -

My criticism of this character is a bit like my criticism of Aragorn. There is nothing wrong with him, but I would prefer someone less Ken doll like(with the exception of Legolas, he is supposed to be a Ken doll). Maybe Kenneth Branagh or Kevin McKidd

**Oneru** · August 04, 2012, 07:37 AM

Although he acts his part well and I wouldn't know who to replace him with, I just cannot see him without thinking 'mister Anderson' after every sentence he speaks.

**cenkiss** · August 04, 2012, 07:43 AM

Eowyn.

**dannyalex** · August 04, 2012, 07:48 AM

none

**Morkonan** · August 04, 2012, 08:12 AM

I'd replace Arwen. Then again, I wouldn't have taken liberties with the original storyline just to focus on the Romance angle, either. She'd be in "my movie," most assuredly. But, I wouldn't have mucked around too much with it, just to give her more screen-time and make her character more prominent.

I'd definitely replace Eomer. I don't know why, but I can't stand the actor's portrayal of him. Something about it "just isn't right." He always looks "out of character" when I seem him in his scenes.

Who to use? I don't know, I'm not a big fan of actors and celebrities, so my well to draw from is very shallow.

But, as far as the rest of the characterss are concerned, I think they were all excellently cast. (And, I think Eowyn was perfectly cast.)

**Khay** · August 04, 2012, 08:13 AM

Eowyn

**ManuelKomnenos** · August 04, 2012, 08:49 AM

I also think Eowyn is perfect as a viking/steppe nobel woman. Lovable and believable. Can't see why someone would want to replace her.

**Andor Vex** · August 04, 2012, 03:02 PM

Wow, now that I think of it Hurt would've probably made a pretty good Denethor.

**RuleBritannia** · August 04, 2012, 04:09 PM

I personally think Ian McDiarmad would've proven to be a good Denethor, though after the failures of the first two movies of the 'new trilogy' of Star Wars I doubt he would've been considered at the time, even though his acting is top notch.

Though I do think the current portrayal of Denethor, a king who truely cares for his people but is out of hope and almost insane due to fear and his own pride, works very well.

**Incredible Bulk** · August 04, 2012, 05:00 PM

Eowyn was BUTT UGLY she should go

**Morkonan** · August 05, 2012, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by Charger Bolt

Eowyn was BUTT UGLY she should go

Huh? Miranda Otto? "Butt ugly?" I don't think so: http://www.starscolor.com/images/miranda-otto-04.jpg She's very attractive and perfectly "cute" in my opinion. Perhaps not as "sensuously" lovely as some other actresses, but that is not what the role called for. I though her character was more attractive than Liv Tyler's. Her character was not as sullen, brow-beaten and as angst ridden as Arwen.

**menawati** · August 05, 2012, 10:47 AM

James Purefoy as Aragorn.
Derek Jacobi as Saruman.
and anyone instead of Orlando Bloom.
Also the guy who played Celeborn was pretty dire ('Lord of the Wood'en actors).
I'm just thankful the films were made before Sam Worthington started appearing in nearly every scifi/fantasy/action movie as he would undoubtedly have been cast in it and have butchered some major role.

(and ye Miranda Otto was fine, fit the role perfectly).

**Wowwars** · August 05, 2012, 03:12 PM

All were perfect. I really hope Game of Thrones gets Viggo for some important character, hes just too great.

**joshko** · August 05, 2012, 04:03 PM

I think for the most part the cast was perfect.

But I HATE PJ's Denethor, John Noble did his best but he doesn't have that feel of nobility and power that comes with the character.
Personally I feel Bill Nighy would have been a much better pick for the character

I also wish he wouldn't have made Frodo such a wimp in the films.

**Maegfaer** · August 05, 2012, 05:20 PM

Definitely Denethor, his Numenorean heritage wasn't conveyed at all in the movies and they should have had a different actor to do so (but his script should've been different as well). Denethor was over simplified in the movies, which is a bloody shame.

**lolIsuck** · August 05, 2012, 05:51 PM

None, I liked the movies as they were and when I think of the characters I see the faces of the actors playing them. Replacing isn't possible for my brain when you already have an image of that character.