Howl's Moving Castle Dreamcast

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One of my favorite books is Howl's Moving Castle, by Dianna Wynne Jones.  Several years ago, Hayao Miyazaki produced an anime adaption of the book, which is quite enjoyable- but unfortunately not very faithful to the book.

Even though the anime was enjoyable to watch, I would love to see a live-action film that is closer to the original plot of the book.  If there ever was such a movie, these are the people I'd like to see in it.  :D

I hope you enjoy!  If you've read the book, let me know what you think!

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LILY JAMES

as

SOPHIE HATTER

I chose this actress mostly for her looks.  The only role I've seen her in is Cousin Rose from Downton Abbey.  That character- I might add- is nothing like the character of Sophie Hatter.  However, she seems to have the right sort of look about her.  Young, innocent, yet spirited and beautiful.  

To be honest, casting Sophie was hard.  If you have any other suggestions, please let me know!  I'm still open to consideration.

UPDATE:  As of March, 2015, since watching Lily James in her role as Cinderella, I am now much more sure that she would be good for the role of Sophie Hatter.  With her willful spunk from Downton Abbey mixed with her naive sweetness from Cinderella, I think she'd do quite well.

MAGGIE SMITH

as

OLD SOPHIE

Since Sophie spends the majority of the book cursed to look like an old woman, Maggie Smith would be the real star of the show.  I chose her because I really like her as an actress.  She is famous for such roles as Cousin Violet from Downton Abbey, and Minerva MacGonnigal from Harry Potter.  Not to mention, if you look at them the right way, she and Lily James resemble each other.... slightly.  Maybe.  Or it could be just me.  ;)

BRADLEY JAMES

as

THE WIZARD HOWL

Howl was another hard character to cast.  No one quite looked right... until I found pictures of Bradley James with long hair.  Then I suddenly remembered his cockey, obnoxious, but endearing portrayal of Arthur from BBC's Merlin.  Add a heavy dose of charm, and I think that he could play the part of Howl decently.  Though once again, if you have other suggestions, let me know!

FREDDIE HIGHMORE

as

MICHAEL

I think the only thing I've seen Freddie Highmore in is the movie August Rush.  But he seems like a thoughtful, studious young man who could play Michael.

BILLY CRYSTAL

as

the voice of

CALCIFER

Billy Crystal voiced Calcifer in the anime version.  He did it so well that I wouldn't imagine casting anyone else for the part.

EMMA WATSON

as

MARTHA HATTER

Martha Hatter is the youngest of the three Hatter siblings, and is said to be the prettiest.  Also, being the youngest of three in a fairy-tale kingdom, everyone knows that she is the most likely to succeed.  However, Martha has different plans in mind...

Emma Watson, I hear, is considered one of the prettiest actresses today.  She has a smart, kind look about her that seems perfect for Martha.

EMMA HIDDLESTON

as

LETTIE HATTER

Lettie Hatter, the middle child of the Hatter Family, is described to be nearly pretty enough to rival her sister Martha, but unlike her younger sibling, she has more ambitious, adventurous plans in mind.  Though she is stubborn and insistent on her way at times, she is very kind and loyal toward both Sophie and Martha.

I thought it would be nice to include some lesser-known actors and actresses in the cast, hence my decision on Miss Hiddleston.  Though she has yet to gain any great fame, she is the younger sister of one of my favorite actors, Tom Hiddleston.

LAURA CARMICHAEL

as

FANNY HATTER

Though she is the mother of Lettie and Martha, and the adopted mother of Sophie, Fanny Hatter is said to be young and pretty yet, and still looking for more chances in life.  

Yet another casting choice from Downton Abbey, but she seemed right for the part.

CATE BLANCHETT

as

THE WITCH OF THE WASTE

I've been fond of Cate Blanchett for some time, ever since seeing The Lord of the Rings.  She is quite beautiful, and plays a wonderful "magical woman", as evidenced by her performance as Galadriel.  And look at her!  Does she not look like a woman who could destroy you, if she pleased?

DAVID TENNANT

as

THE WIZARD SULLIMAN

Wizard Sulliman, a friend and fellow countryman of Howl's, is described as having a charming, craggy face.  After some thought, I remembered David Tennant, who looks like he could play a good Sulliman.

JAMES McAVOY

as

PRINCE JUSTIN

I've seen James McAvoy in X-Men First Class, and The Chronicles of Narnia.  He has that certain look about him... handsome, goodwilled, but with a slightly hotty and sarcastic attitude, much like Prince Justin in the books.

(SPOILERS:  for the odd bit of the book where the character Percival, who is made of Justin and Sulliman combined, I thought that they could use CGI to map their facial features together.  END SPOILERS)

JUDI DENCH

as

MRS. PENSTEMMON

  

In her performances in Pride and Prejudice, and The Importance of Being Earnest, Judi Dench makes it clear that she plays an excellent, imposingly grand woman, thus making her perfect to play Howl's dearest, (if feared), mentor.  

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-Rayne Speryll

(DISCLAIMER:  I do not own Howl's Moving Castle.  This cast list is only a fan-cast, made out of love for the book.  It is by no means official, nor is it approved by any of the actors listed.)

The Guardians of Childhood Dreamcast

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Salutations, my readers!  

Many of you have likely seen the Dreamworks movie Rise of the Guardians.  Some of you may have read the children's book series by William Joyce upon which the movie is based.  I happen to have done both, and am very fond of both.  However, my favorite of the two is definitely the book series.

While Rise of the Guardians was done beautifully, I could not help wondering what it would be like if a movie version of the books were to be made.  In particular, a live action film.  

As such, I created this dreamcast, my own personal take on what the characters of the Guardians of Childhood series would look like. Let me know what you think!

And if you have not read The Guardians of Childhood, I encourage you to do so. It may be a children's series, but it is well worth a read for anyone, even adults!  :D

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CHRISTIAN BALE
as
NICHOLAS ST. NORTH

I recently watched Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy, and was suddenly struck by the resemblance Christian Bale  bears to the young Santa Claus from the Guardians Series.  Having seen him in a few other roles, I believe he could do the part quite well.

AMARIAH FAULKNER
as
KATHERINE



Since I don't know many child actresses, it took me a while to find the right one to play the young heroine of the Guardians Series.  After hunting around on IMDB, I found this lovely girl.  I've never seen her in any of her roles, but appearance-wise she was perfect.  I can see her working very well with Christian Bale as North.

TED ALLPRESS
as
NIGHTLIGHT



At first I was at a loss as to who to cast for my absolute favorite character in the series; Nightlight, the Spectral Boy.  But then, suddenly, I thought of Ted Allpress.  I've only seen him in his brief role as young Loki in Thor.  Sure enough, he has that bright, clear, innocent look that Nightlight is famous for.  I believe he is perfect for the part.

GINIFER GOODWIN
as
QUEEN TOOTHIANA



Toothiana is described as a warrior with the heart of a mother.  After seeing Ginifer Goodwin in Once Upon a Time, she seemed a fine choice for the beautiful Tooth Fairy.

JEREMY IRONS
as the voice of
E. ASTER BUNNYMUND



E. Aster Bunnymund is very different from the Bunny portrayed by Hugh Jackman in Rise of the Guardians.  While I found the latter very entertaining, I am also very fond of the Spock-like Pooka of the book series.  Jeremy Irons is one of my favorite actors.  I first saw him in Longitude, and have since been impressed by many more of his performances.  His voice, (also the voice of Scar from the Lion King), has that perfect mix of posh grandure and poetic majesty necessary for the voice of the mysterious Easter Bunny.

IAN HOLM
as
THE SANDMAN



Sanderson Mansnoozie was perhaps the hardest Guardian to cast of all.  However, just when I was about to give up hope, I thought of Ian Holm  That warm, kindly, but eccentric character he played as Bilbo Baggins is similar to Sandy's character in the books, though perhaps the latter is much more quiet than Bilbo.
And besides, look at that hair!  It's perfect!

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH
as
PITCH BLACK



It was my mother who first pointed out the resemblance between Benedict Cumberbatch and the infamous Pitch Black.  After a closer look, I suddenly saw it!  Those same high cheek bones, piercing eyes, and tall frame are perfect to play the villain of the Guardians Series.  Not only is Cumberbatch an expert on playing villains, but he also has that warm, very human side to him that makes Pitch all the more tragic.  Just imagining this actor playing the terrifying Bogey Man, as well as the tragically heroic father Kozmotis Pitchine gives me the shivers.

LARA PULVER
as
MOTHER NATURE



Is there an actress more perfect for this role?  Lara Pulver, in her role as Isabella in BBC's Robin Hood showed that she can play a woman who is both fragile, pitiable, ambiguous, and deadly.  Will she help, or harm you?  No one knows.

PATRICK GODFREY
as
OMBRIC THE WIZARD



His role in Ever After as Leonardo DaVinci convinced me that he could play the role of Ombric well.

PATRICK STEWART
as
THE MAN IN THE MOON



While in the books, the Man in the Moon is said to be a little round man, and Patrick Stewart is most certainly not round, I thought that he could portray the character very nicely.  Patrick Stewart is famous for playing characters who are wise, compassionate, and devoted protectors of humankind.  That certainly describes the Man in the Moon, so I think Mr. Stewart would do perfectly.

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-Rayne Speryll

(DISCLAIMER:  This casting list is purely a fan-cast.  It is by no means official, or approved by the actors mentioned, nor by the creators of The Guardians.)