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 understand that sometimes characters need to replace for reason x or y. In Harry Potter usually it doesn’t bother me that much when it comes to obscure characters. I don’t know if many people count Tom Riddle Jr. as an obscure character but I’ll count him. Yes, he’s not that obscure but he doesn’t have many scenes in the book. Voldemort, on the other hand, does. I remember being kinda bummed out that Christian Coulson hadn’t reprised his role as Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. For me the issue wasn’t that, Coulson looked like what I imagined Tom to look like. The issue is that I like consistency. The film presented me with one imagine for Tom and from that moment on I thought “okay, this is Tom Riddle”. Of course, later on I came to realize that Coulson couldn’t reprise his role because he looked much older than the 16 year old Tom in HBP. As a side note, I have big love for Hero Fiennes-Tiffin who played 11 year old Tom in HBP. He looks so innocent but the way he speaks is just so chilling.

Also, I don’t know if many people remembered or noticed but in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Vincent Crabbe’s actions/role have been taken over by Goyle. And what Goyle did in the book was played by Blaise in the film. That’s because the actor who played Crabbe got arrested for cannabis possession and later tried and sentenced to community work.

Martine//Ravenclaw

[caitieness.livejournal.com]

I saw DH2 with my boyfriend and I hadn't read the book in a few years I guess. And he pointed out to me that Blaise was not supposed to be there ("Wait -- is that supposed to be Crabbe? I thought he was a chubby kid?") And he was like really annoyed by it but me not so much. I didn't know that he was arrested (!!) and so he couldn't do the movie but I always assume when a minor character gets recast that's the reason (not that they were arrested, just that they were unable to do it). But I definitely found it interesting that they chose to replace his character with Blaise rather than just use someone else and name him Crabbe.

caitie/puff

[flipflop-diva.livejournal.com]

Also, I don’t know if many people remembered or noticed but in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Vincent Crabbe’s actions/role have been taken over by Goyle. And what Goyle did in the book was played by Blaise in the film. That’s because the actor who played Crabbe got arrested for cannabis possession and later tried and sentenced to community work.

I totally didn't know that at all! I swear, reading everyone's comments here, I feel like I did not watch these movies very closely and maybe I need to go back and do a better job. Or maybe re-read the book then watch the movie right after and do it all in a very quick succession. Or something!

(Actually, I will say I remember/notice plot things a lot more than characters for some reason. I can tell you what scenes were and were not cut out or were changed in the movies, but apparently I am not very observant when it comes to people!)


Kristine | Puff

[anbyrobanby.livejournal.com]

yeah, it was only for cannabis possession. He got 120 hours community service for it, so didn't actually go to jail. However, he DID go to jail for his part in the London Riots in 2011 (according to wikipedia he was found in possession of a Molotov cocktail in the act)- and as I understand it, he's still there, having been sentenced at the Crown Court to two years in jail and fifty points from Slytherin.

In these circumstances, you do have to work round things, I agree. Although possession of pot is a bit OTT for being sacked, surely? Would they have had the balls to do it if they'd found Rupert Grint in possession? What about one of the adult actors? I suspect not.

rob/gryff

[kaitydid33087.livejournal.com]

I remember reading something about him getting arrested, and then seeing the movie, and being really confused for a minute, and then I had remembered he got arrested. Which, didn't actually bother me that much, because Crabbe didn't have a huge role in DH anyways. Had he had a bigger role, I might've minded more.

KaityPuff

[interchanges.livejournal.com]

I did know about the actor for Crabbe getting arrested, so I wasn't surprised when they switched him with Blaise in the film. That does make me remember though- in the 3rd movie doesn't Draco get followed around by Crabbe, Goyle, and another guy who's black? Is that guy also supposed to be Blaise or is it someone else? Because it's a different actor than the Blaise in the 6th movie. I never figured out who that other guy was supposed to be o.o

Chelsea/Ravenclaw