It was announced in the spring of 2005 that Walden Media purchased the film rights to Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising Sequence. It was stated that book two in the series, The Dark is Rising will be the first adapted. It's currently in the earliest stages of development. The IMDB gives it a 2007 release date, but I think it's more likely to film that year, get released later.
Susan Cooper's story is noted for its extensive use of UK history, legend, folklore, and myth...along with an undeniable melancholy, bittersweet tone. Even the happiest endings in the series end up being ambiguous more often than not.
If they can pull it off, it'll be one heck of a movie!
Who would you cast in the (major) roles?
Will Stanton- The last born of the Old Ones, this boy has just turned 11, and now must lose his innocence and a portion of his humanity. He is the Sign-Seeker.
Merriman Lyon- Will's mentor. Hawk-featured, crisp, tough, kind...and occasionally he may seem -very- familiar with those up on their UK folklore.
The Lady- The Lady is...the Lady. Enigmatic, powerful, ancient.
The Rider- The charming, soft-spoken gentleman who sells fine jewels on his day-job. Secretly he's a mighty Lord of the Dark who's planning to enslave the minds of humanity.
The Walker- A mysterious, dangerous hermit who seems to have a strange link with Will.
I've said it before, I'll say it again: Alan Rickman would be so perfect as Merrimen it isn't even funny.
[ July 07, 2006, 11:35 AM: Message edited by: Puffy Treat ]
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
Call me crazy, but I think David Thewlis would make a great Rider.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
You so crazy!
(I agree.)
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
So basically, Harry Potter in reverse?
I think we need to look further afield. Find some more unfamiliar faces.
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
I was thinking of him more in his incarnation of King Einon in Dragonheart. Prof. Lupin is too nice.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Didn't we have this conversation already?
::searches::
Yep. It starts out as a generic thread about the film and the book, but then morphs into a conversation about who should play what roles.
[Edit--and then it pretty quickly drifts onto other related subjects. Looks like we didn't plumb the depths of who to cast quite as thoroughly as I'd remembered]
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
We need better focus.
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Oooo, shiny...
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
The Dark Is Rising Sequence is not "basically Harry Potter in reverse", Teshi.
And if that was a reference to my wanting to see Rickman cast as Merriman, then chalk it up to me describing the character poorly. He's not BizarroSnape. Rickman would be playing someone much more complex than merely reversing his Snape-isms. Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
I think it was a recognition that Snape would be playing the good guy and Lupin would be the evil Dark Lord wannabe (which, considering the whole lycanthrophy thing, isn't all that far afield).
Posted by SenojRetep (Member # 8614) on :
Summarizing the recommendations from the other list and adding those from this list:
Will- Skandar Keynes Merriman- Hugh Laurie; Patrick Stewart; Alan Rickman The Lady- Judi Densch; Helena Bonham Carter (aged) The Rider- Rupert Everett; Cilian Murphy; Jude Law; Jonathan Rhys-Meyers; David Thewlis The Walker- Bob Hoskins; Patrick Stewart; Anthony Hopkins; John Rhys-Davies; Robbie Coltrane; Ian Holm Wayland Smith- James Cromwell Director- Terry Gilliam; M. Night Shaymalan; Tim Burton
And I will argue til the cows come home that Hugh Laurie would make a better Merriman that Alan Rickman. Also, although I've only seen him in a couple of movies, David Thewlis seems to me to lack the dark seductive qualities necessary for the rider.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Liam Neeson would do a good job as The Rider, I think.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)