Perfectly Miscast

Today, I will be exploring some casting choices that are perfectly... wrong. Based on basic information (age, nationality and even gender) you would say, at first glance, that these actors have been horribly miscast. I beg to differ.

For example, Severus Snape, Harry Potter's least favorite teacher at Hogwarts, potions master, Head of Slytherin House and Death-Eater-double-agent-extraordinaire, is 31 years old at the beginning of the story, when Harry starts classes at Hogwarts. When Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is released, the actor portraying Snape, Alan Rickman, is 55.

But, really, could any man play the duplicitous Snape better than Rickman? The shifty eyes are the best, I think, although, the head smacking in Goblet of Fire is outstanding as well.

Next up, a legendary character, based in reality and immortalized through countless works of fiction, song and film: King Richard. You probably are best acquainted with him from the Robin Hood story. In Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, he was played by the ineffable Sean Connery.

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Wait.... whaaaaaaaat....? The king of England is Scottish? Huh. Maybe that's why this portrayal was listed as one of the top ten cameos of all time.

While we are on the subject of Sean Connery, let's talk about Henry Jones. That's right, Indiana Jones' father. In the 1989 film, Indiana Jones and the last Crusade, we meet Indy's dad, Henry, played by Sean Connery. When the film was release, Mr. Connery was 58 years old. Harrison Ford who, as you must know, played Indiana was 46. That's right. Daddy is 12 years older than his son. 

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Oh, and in case you don't think this belongs here, because it wasn't based on a book, well, you're right. The book was based on the movie. Boom.

So far, we've seen somebody cast as the (really) wrong age. A man cast as the wrong nationality (although I could probably go on and on about this one- Hollywood doesn't really seem to care about "accuracy" when it comes to race or nationality or any of that mumbo-jumbo). But what about the wrong gender? Glad you asked...

Later this year, The Tempest, based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name is seeing a new incarnation in theaters. The main character, Prospero, the Duke of Milan will be played by:

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Helen Mirren. Apparently, the Duke will now be the Duchess. Whether or not this part is "perfectly" miscast has yet to be seen, but I sincerely doubt that Helen Mirren can do any wrong.

So, once again, faithful readers I submit to you this parting thought: judge not an actor by their appearance. An actor is never "too old" or "too young" or "too girly" or "too Scottish" to do anything. Open your imagination: persona and talent are just as important, if not more so than appearances.

Agree? Disagree? Post your thoughts in the comments? Images: Google Images