over-acting ahoy...

[rivendellrose]

The desire for a big name actor in the lead role ruins mars yet another potentially wonderful movie.

Gerard Butler. As Beowulf. Can I go be sick, now, please?

Comments

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

Now, see, I don't see a problem with this. Because Gerard Butler does really well in action pieces and in period pieces. With this, I'm willing to just wait and see. I hated him in Phantom of the Opera, but that was just because he wasn't right for the part. He's really not a bad actor, he just doesn't have huge range.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

But... the over-acting! *Whines*

His range is just so... ick. He's all brooding and melodrama, and I really don't see Beowulf as that. I was hoping for an unknown in that part.

The last role that really fit him was that horribly cheesy Dracula. And even that was more of a "you're doing a parody, right?" kind of a fit. I just hate to see a guy like this get parts that could've gone to someone nobody knows yet, who'd do such a better job.

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

Eh, I dunno. I've seen him in parts where he's not brooding and melodramatic.

I dunno, I think he was great in Tomb Raider and Reign of Fire - neither brooding, over-acting or melodramatic. And he's been praised quite a bit for his work in indie films - none of which I've seen, but I've heard enough reviews from people I trust well enough on movies.

I don't think it's fair to say what sort of job he's going to do until we actually see the movie. I've been pleasantly impressed with quite a few actors who I was very dubious about just from what I'd seen them in prior. There's also factoring in how they're doing the movie - the Beowulf legend lends itself to dozens of different angles and interpretations - the director and the writers. There's the chance it would be a sucky movie even if they had went with someone else. And there's the chance that Butler might revisit his tough, kick-ass hero roles for this, playing the part very well.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I didn't see either of those (well, I saw about five minutes of Tomb Raider, but didn't get into it), so I can't speak to either. Maybe he's just been getting the short end of the stick in terms of casting in parts that suit him, lately. It happens.

It looks to me (from just seeing their website briefly) that they're doing a pretty historical/realistic version of the legend. That's just a guess, but this doesn't look much like a flashy little action-toy movie. At least not purely that. Which makes me very happy. At worst, it'll be the Scandinavian version of Troy. At best... we'll see. I definitely plan on seeing it, when it comes out, I just felt like griping over the choice of Butler.

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

I think he's just been poorly cast in the things you've seen him in. He was also supposedly very good as Attila the Hun, I know a lot of folks who've said it was his best role, and he really shined as an actor in it. And that, from what I understand, was a historical/realistic movie. So he does have a history with that type of movie. Haven't seen it myself, though, so I can't really make my own personal statements on it. But it bodes well, I think, that they chose an actor who has supposedly done well in similar films.

I can't say whether or not he's the best choice, but he's a hell of a lot better then Orlando Bloom or Ben Affleck or someone like that. I know the things you've seen him in he hasn't been great, but I blame that a lot more on poor casting than his abilities.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Hmm... Yeah, I could definitely see that. Might be a worthwhile movie to try to catch, too. And you're right, that does bode well for his chances in this movie.

>.< Yeah, neither of those are worth thinking on. Can you imagine, The Pretty Boy Incarnate, playing Beowulf? Eeeeeek.

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

It may well be, I've heard good things about it.

Gah, no. But I wouldn't put it past some studio to cast him, since he seems to be the 'hero' of the moment. *gags*

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

*Shakes head* It'll pass as soon as he passes forty, I'm betting. Assuming he keeps his good looks til then, that is. He's a decent actor, but he's let himself get typecast in the pretty boy role, and unless he backs out fast it'll be too late...

[zinjadu.livejournal.com]

I think he'll be okay, actually, looking at the other stuff he's done. 'Phantom' was just so far out of his range I don't think he knew what to do with himself. (And darn me to heck I still need to see that movie.)

Honestly, I'm just wondering how they're gonna do Beowulf as a movie and do it well. Part of why I love it is the poetry factor.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Fey made a lot of good points about stuff he's been in that I wasn't thinking of. I just can't get the image of him as Dracula (or as the Phantom) out of my head, and that's probably not fair.

But yes, you really do need to see "Phantom," it's a fabulous movie. Especially from a visual standpoint, it's amazing.

I know, I'm kinda iffy about that, too. Without the poetry, it's just another kind of dull hero story.

[arcane.livejournal.com]

Ew. Personally, I'm looking forward to the animated version written by Neil Gaiman starring Ray Winstone and Crispin Glover. That will rule.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Being that I've heard Angelina Jolie is playing some totally made-up witch thing in that movie, I'm feeling a bit hacked off about that one, too. At least it's written by Gaiman, though... perhaps there's still hope. He doesn't normally add stuff in if there isn't a purpose to it.

[arcane.livejournal.com]

According to Gaiman's blog Angelina Jolie is playing Grendel's mother. Other cast members include Anthony Hopkins and John Malkovich--great cast. Beowulf is a very old, very long poem so stuff is going to be cut and probably needs to be added to make a movie out of it. I don't mind if there are changes in script adaptations of things just as long as the changes are justified.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Ah, someone else described her part not as Grendel's mother but as some 'witch of darkness' who tempts Beowulf off his path... it's been a few years, but I don't remembet that as a part of the poem. Still, as you say, changes would have to be made - 9th century epic poems don't translate to 21st century movies without a bit of change. I'm interested to see how they manage.

Mmm... and Malkovich are definitely both good. I'll have to look up the full cast.

[gurny.livejournal.com]

Well it could be worse for over acting, They could have hired Shattner :p

[narsilion.livejournal.com]

YIKES!! You sure know how to scare a girl!

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

*Snickers* Last time I saw Shatner he was doing some godawful commercials. I'd say his career as anything other than a parody of himself is pretty well shot... thank goodness. ;)

[narsilion.livejournal.com]

The irony of KPMG needing people now is just amazing to me. I actually laughed when Sandy called to tell me and then had to apologise and explain. She couldn't believe it either!~