Smarmy Society: Term XXV, Activity 3: Character Replacements

[anbyrobanby.livejournal.com]

Activity name: Character Replacements
Points: 24hr debate: Participation 10pts, Additional comment: 5pts. 30pts limit.
End date: Monday 1st April @ 14:00 UTC
Details: Over the course of the films, some of the characters were written out, assimilated into others, or played by multiple actors. Do you feel this is the right approach? Does the change of face affect how you feel about that character? A 24 hour debate to end the month.



So I was considering my next activity for the Smarmy Society, when I read on the news that the actor Richard Griffiths, who played Vernon Dursley, passed away on Good Friday following surgery complications.

I was reading some of the assosciated articles related to this, and one thing that came up was how he was perceived as "perfect" for the role of Uncle Vernon. This got me thinking- without doubt he was excellent in the role, but had someone else played the part, would it have still been as good? The thought reminded me of when Richard Harris was replaced by Michael Gambon and the ensuing dissonance.

I would like to invite a quick discussion about the synergy between actor and character. If an actor or actress becomes unavailable, walks away from the project, etc, how would you think this impacts on the character role? Would it change? Does a strong actor or actress fit into the role smoothly, and would a transition be smooth? More importantly to the Smarmy Club, would your view change if it were a major role versus a minor one?

I'll give 10 points for a substantial, thought-out comment (let's say about 200 words, minimum). Further comments of at least 50 words will be awarded five house points.

As it's a topic with broad scope I shall not be assigning debate motions here. I would just like to see some free chatter. But of course, feel free to play devil's advocate with each other. I love to see a bit of that over a circle of people nodding among themselves. ;)


_{The Smarmy Society: Because loving the Trio is too mainstream.}

Comments

[evening12]

I am so bad. When I was reading the books, I really didn’t pay attention to the minor characters so it never even crossed my mind whether Blaise was a man or a woman. All I knew was that Blaise was a Slytherin and sometimes hung out with Draco. I don’t have any references as to whether Blaise is a typical girl or boy name, so I can understand why some people might have thought Blaise was a girl.

Martine//claw

[anbyrobanby.livejournal.com]

lol, I remember how pressed thefanfic writers got when HBP came out and Blaise was exposed to be a black guy. Because OHNOES I'VE BEEN SQUEEING FOR BLAISE ZABINI SINCE BOOK 1 AND ALL MY FIC FANON OF HER BEING A SASSY-YET-VULNERABLE ITALIAN GIRL HAVE BEEN QUATSCHED!!11 ULL ALWAYS BE THAT 2 ME ZABAMBINO~

Or something. I forget. I was too busy paddling in entitled fangirl tears to listen too hard. But I'll confess I thought he was a girl until corrected otherwise.

This brings up another point- the casting staff would be consulted ahead of time anyway. BZ didn't have any involvement with any story until HBP, and even then I'm not sure he did any speaking role in-film. Regardless, had there been uncertainty, the facts would have been lain straight right away, for sure. Which makes me ask, why did this not happen for other characters (Lavender being the current topical example)? Were they just not important enough? Because I imagine the actress would have disagreed: it was her biggest and most-seen role of her life, and suddenly OOPS NOPE.

rob/gryff