CSI: Ankh-Morpork
March 17, 2011 4:21 PM Subscribe
Discworld's City Watch to be turned into a TV series. Sam Vimes may finally be coming to moving pictures.
I'm both very excited and incredibly fearful.
posted by kmz at 4:22 PM on March 17, 2011 [9 favorites]
posted by kmz at 4:22 PM on March 17, 2011 [9 favorites]
What i saw of Hogwatch was great.
anyone seeing Pratchett in Sydney in April?
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 4:24 PM on March 17, 2011
anyone seeing Pratchett in Sydney in April?
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 4:24 PM on March 17, 2011
Love it. Thanks!
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:25 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:25 PM on March 17, 2011
Please don't fuck it up. Please don't fuck it up. Please don't fuck it up!
posted by xqwzts at 4:34 PM on March 17, 2011 [36 favorites]
posted by xqwzts at 4:34 PM on March 17, 2011 [36 favorites]
I am torn between "OMG THIS IS SOOOOO AWESOME!!1!" and "Oh God, what if they totally botch it???"
posted by booksherpa at 4:36 PM on March 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by booksherpa at 4:36 PM on March 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
This will either be the best or worst thing. I will accept nothing less.
Also this thread is now about fantasy role casting.
posted by The Whelk at 4:37 PM on March 17, 2011
Also this thread is now about fantasy role casting.
posted by The Whelk at 4:37 PM on March 17, 2011
Exciting to check out the next link over and see that Terry Jones is also working on a Good Omens adaptation. If Fry and Laurie aren't a born Aziraphale and Crowley, I don't know who is.
posted by Countess Elena at 4:41 PM on March 17, 2011 [15 favorites]
posted by Countess Elena at 4:41 PM on March 17, 2011 [15 favorites]
I too am torn between ecstatic delight and OH GOD THE FUCKING HORROR WHAT IF THEY FUCK IT ALL UP OH GOD.
brb huddled in fetal ball.
posted by elizardbits at 4:41 PM on March 17, 2011
brb huddled in fetal ball.
posted by elizardbits at 4:41 PM on March 17, 2011
Prime Focus Productions, the people behind the upcoming Good Omens TV series and the three existing Discworld miniseries...
Eh? I knew there were some Discworld miniseries, but Good Omens? And Sandman? OK, Sandman was pre-pre-release murmurings.
Misty-eyed fanboy moment: the first Discworld book I read was Night Watch, picked up on a whim, and I've been hooked since. But to some degree, nothing has quite held me like Night Watch did, which I credit to Sam Vimes in that book.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:41 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Eh? I knew there were some Discworld miniseries, but Good Omens? And Sandman? OK, Sandman was pre-pre-release murmurings.
Misty-eyed fanboy moment: the first Discworld book I read was Night Watch, picked up on a whim, and I've been hooked since. But to some degree, nothing has quite held me like Night Watch did, which I credit to Sam Vimes in that book.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:41 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Fry and Laurie aren't a born Aziraphale and Crowley, I don't know who is
David Mitchell and Robert Webb
or
Matt Lucas and David Walliams
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:43 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
David Mitchell and Robert Webb
or
Matt Lucas and David Walliams
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:43 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Colon: Nick Frost
Nobby: Andy Hamilton
posted by Faint of Butt at 4:44 PM on March 17, 2011 [6 favorites]
Nobby: Andy Hamilton
posted by Faint of Butt at 4:44 PM on March 17, 2011 [6 favorites]
DEAR LORD YES WAIT OH NO DO NOT WANT HELP HELP MOMMY
posted by 40 Watt at 4:44 PM on March 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by 40 Watt at 4:44 PM on March 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
Sounds like a prodigious Undertaking.
posted by infinitewindow at 4:48 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by infinitewindow at 4:48 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
10 PRINT "SQUEE!!!!"
20 PRINT "NOOOOOO!!!"
30 GOTO 10
posted by gamera at 4:49 PM on March 17, 2011 [8 favorites]
20 PRINT "NOOOOOO!!!"
30 GOTO 10
posted by gamera at 4:49 PM on March 17, 2011 [8 favorites]
Good Omens TV series
It's like they're trying to discover how much combined hope and fear it takes to kill me.
posted by Myca at 4:50 PM on March 17, 2011 [26 favorites]
It's like they're trying to discover how much combined hope and fear it takes to kill me.
posted by Myca at 4:50 PM on March 17, 2011 [26 favorites]
Dennis the Constitutional Peasant has to be the model for Reg Shoe.
posted by maxwelton at 4:55 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by maxwelton at 4:55 PM on March 17, 2011
I haven't seen any of the miniseries because, well, they can't be good right? Someone tell me if I'm wrong.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 4:57 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by kuujjuarapik at 4:57 PM on March 17, 2011
But.. but.. Pete Postlethwaite is dead, now. Who the hell is going to play Vimes?
posted by curious nu at 4:58 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by curious nu at 4:58 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
I will be 40 in 11 days. I just hopped up and down in my desk chair like a toddler.
posted by pointystick at 5:00 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by pointystick at 5:00 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
I thought Sean Bean might work as Vimes, if you made him look a little more haggard and old in makeup.
posted by Grimgrin at 5:00 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Grimgrin at 5:00 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Omg omg omg omg
I was a nerd for Discworld in general as a teenager but as an adult I find that the books with Sam Vimes really hold up character-wise, oh man, don't fuck it up!
posted by little cow make small moo at 5:01 PM on March 17, 2011
I was a nerd for Discworld in general as a teenager but as an adult I find that the books with Sam Vimes really hold up character-wise, oh man, don't fuck it up!
posted by little cow make small moo at 5:01 PM on March 17, 2011
Awesome. I'm cautiously optimistic about this: I liked their version of Hogfather and loved their version of Going Postal, so I'm keen to see what they pull off with this.
doubtless they'll be some departures from canon and casting that seems a bit off, but I like to take Douglas Adams' approach to these things: when asked which of the many versions of HHGTTG was correct (as the versions on radio, record, tv, books and film all contradicted each other and occasionally themselves), his answer was "all of them". Lots of different retellings of the same basic story, all valid, for you to chose the ones you enjoyed the most. Any additions to canon/fanon are fine in my book, just ignore the ones you didn't enjoy.
Also: Vimes, Colon and Nobby = simon pegg, nick frost and andy hamilton. Although I can also see Pegg as Vetinari. Bill Baily should be behind the bar in the Bucket. Tamsin Grieg in a wig as Angua (looks wrong, but has the perfect dry delivery). No idea who Dylan Moran should play, but he needs to be in it as he's clearly an Ankh-Morpork citizen who's stumbled into or world by mistake.
posted by metaBugs at 5:01 PM on March 17, 2011 [6 favorites]
doubtless they'll be some departures from canon and casting that seems a bit off, but I like to take Douglas Adams' approach to these things: when asked which of the many versions of HHGTTG was correct (as the versions on radio, record, tv, books and film all contradicted each other and occasionally themselves), his answer was "all of them". Lots of different retellings of the same basic story, all valid, for you to chose the ones you enjoyed the most. Any additions to canon/fanon are fine in my book, just ignore the ones you didn't enjoy.
Also: Vimes, Colon and Nobby = simon pegg, nick frost and andy hamilton. Although I can also see Pegg as Vetinari. Bill Baily should be behind the bar in the Bucket. Tamsin Grieg in a wig as Angua (looks wrong, but has the perfect dry delivery). No idea who Dylan Moran should play, but he needs to be in it as he's clearly an Ankh-Morpork citizen who's stumbled into or world by mistake.
posted by metaBugs at 5:01 PM on March 17, 2011 [6 favorites]
And Sandman? OK, Sandman was pre-pre-release murmurings.
A later report on that same site says otherwise. Freaky.
But, on topic, this is a very good idea. My main problem with the City Watch novels is that they are very much alike to each other in terms of structural formula, which does get a bit annoying after the umpteenth one, but is ideally suited to the TV procedural. I haven't seen much of the previous minis and animations, but what I have seen struck me as a little slow - Pratchett should be snappy and quick-witted, not langourous, so hopefully, again, this format will suit it well.
posted by Sparx at 5:02 PM on March 17, 2011
A later report on that same site says otherwise. Freaky.
But, on topic, this is a very good idea. My main problem with the City Watch novels is that they are very much alike to each other in terms of structural formula, which does get a bit annoying after the umpteenth one, but is ideally suited to the TV procedural. I haven't seen much of the previous minis and animations, but what I have seen struck me as a little slow - Pratchett should be snappy and quick-witted, not langourous, so hopefully, again, this format will suit it well.
posted by Sparx at 5:02 PM on March 17, 2011
metaBugs -- Dylan Moran should play William de Worde, who else?
posted by Countess Elena at 5:04 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Countess Elena at 5:04 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
I'm not so much concerned about the plot. I read Pratchett for the world and the characters. If they can sell those, I'm sure the show'd be successful.
posted by gc at 5:04 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by gc at 5:04 PM on March 17, 2011
SQUEE
posted by Aversion Therapy at 5:05 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Aversion Therapy at 5:05 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
which does get a bit annoying after the umpteenth one
such vile statements are an abomination unto nuggan.
posted by elizardbits at 5:06 PM on March 17, 2011 [9 favorites]
such vile statements are an abomination unto nuggan.
posted by elizardbits at 5:06 PM on March 17, 2011 [9 favorites]
Actually: Eddie Izzard as Vetinari. Sounds weird, but he was brilliant in the Day Of The Triffids remake... He could almost just reprise that character and be 90% there.
Ok, I'll stop this now...
posted by metaBugs at 5:07 PM on March 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
Ok, I'll stop this now...
posted by metaBugs at 5:07 PM on March 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
I'm certainly going to rattle spoons to Anoia that they don't fuck it up.
posted by lumpenprole at 5:08 PM on March 17, 2011 [9 favorites]
posted by lumpenprole at 5:08 PM on March 17, 2011 [9 favorites]
We're going to need to cast more Morporkians, apart from the Watch. Could there possibly be a better Ridcully than BRIAN BLESSED?
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:12 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:12 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
Who's Carrot??
posted by little cow make small moo at 5:16 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by little cow make small moo at 5:16 PM on March 17, 2011
I second Izzard as Vetinari. Or Alan Rickman, if he can tone down the sneering a bit and go for a smoother, more understated-menace delivery.
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:16 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:16 PM on March 17, 2011
The Morporkians should all be Mefites, specially flown over for the occasion. Pick me! I only want to be an extra...
posted by sneebler at 5:18 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by sneebler at 5:18 PM on March 17, 2011
Vinnie Jones needs to be in this somewhere.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:19 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:19 PM on March 17, 2011
i've seen a theatrical version of Guards! Guards!
that was fun
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:21 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
that was fun
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:21 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
a smoother, more understated-menace delivery.
Bill Nighy.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:25 PM on March 17, 2011 [6 favorites]
Bill Nighy.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:25 PM on March 17, 2011 [6 favorites]
If Fry and Laurie aren't a born Aziraphale and Crowley, I don't know who is.
Fry has reached the point where being anything other than Stephen Fry is rather beyond him.
Reg Shoe should be played by the bloke who did Reg Hollis.
I would kill to see Patrick Stewart as Vetinari.
Are these the muppets who gave us David Jason as Rincewind?
posted by rodgerd at 5:37 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Fry has reached the point where being anything other than Stephen Fry is rather beyond him.
Reg Shoe should be played by the bloke who did Reg Hollis.
I would kill to see Patrick Stewart as Vetinari.
Are these the muppets who gave us David Jason as Rincewind?
posted by rodgerd at 5:37 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Dylan Moran as CMOT Dribbler.
Think about it.
posted by The Whelk at 5:38 PM on March 17, 2011 [6 favorites]
Think about it.
posted by The Whelk at 5:38 PM on March 17, 2011 [6 favorites]
Oh and the miniseries are better then I would have thought, but I havent seen Going Postal yet cause that my favorite book so far and Ive been ....holding out.
posted by The Whelk at 5:41 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 5:41 PM on March 17, 2011
rodgerd, I was totally thinking Stewart as Vetinari. I think he could play the part so, so well.
posted by gc at 5:42 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by gc at 5:42 PM on March 17, 2011
Dylan Moran as CMOT Dibbler.
Yeah, I see it!
I don't know from Damien Lewis but the google image search shows him to be convincingly redheaded.
Strangely, the third image in a search for CMOT seems to be Queen Latifah in evening wear looking smokily off into the distance.
posted by little cow make small moo at 5:42 PM on March 17, 2011
Yeah, I see it!
I don't know from Damien Lewis but the google image search shows him to be convincingly redheaded.
Strangely, the third image in a search for CMOT seems to be Queen Latifah in evening wear looking smokily off into the distance.
posted by little cow make small moo at 5:42 PM on March 17, 2011
And the answer to who should play William De Worde is me.
I should play De Worde.
So there.
posted by The Whelk at 5:44 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
I should play De Worde.
So there.
posted by The Whelk at 5:44 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
City Watch has always been my favorite storyline from Discworld.
posted by QuarterlyProphet at 5:44 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by QuarterlyProphet at 5:44 PM on March 17, 2011
Hmmm. Don't think I'll be able to watch it. I can't risk disturbing the Vimes I have in my head. Whose going to hold the line if that happens?
posted by howfar at 5:48 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by howfar at 5:48 PM on March 17, 2011
Dylan Moran as CMOT Dibbler.
That was what I figured. And Bill Bailey playing Rincewind.
posted by shelleycat at 5:49 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
That was what I figured. And Bill Bailey playing Rincewind.
posted by shelleycat at 5:49 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
City Watch has always been my favorite storyline from Discworld.
Me, too. I liked the wizards at first, but they got a little old for me. Maybe not anymore; I haven't read them in ages.
I guess I liked the witches enough to dress up as them with my mother and grandmother my senior year of high school and thank goodness those are not photos that I have on my computer. It was lame that I had to be Magrat just because she was the youngest, when clearly Granny Weatherwax is the awesomest.
Well, Tiffany Aching is the actual awesomest, but she's kind of a separate thing.
posted by little cow make small moo at 5:49 PM on March 17, 2011
Me, too. I liked the wizards at first, but they got a little old for me. Maybe not anymore; I haven't read them in ages.
I guess I liked the witches enough to dress up as them with my mother and grandmother my senior year of high school and thank goodness those are not photos that I have on my computer. It was lame that I had to be Magrat just because she was the youngest, when clearly Granny Weatherwax is the awesomest.
Well, Tiffany Aching is the actual awesomest, but she's kind of a separate thing.
posted by little cow make small moo at 5:49 PM on March 17, 2011
Eddie Izzard needs a part in this...but I think he'd be better as an assassin or wizard.
posted by schmod at 5:49 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by schmod at 5:49 PM on March 17, 2011
Hmmm. Don't think I'll be able to watch it. I can't risk disturbing the Vimes I have in my head.
The watchman watches himself!
posted by little cow make small moo at 5:50 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
The watchman watches himself!
posted by little cow make small moo at 5:50 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
I retract my bid for Rickman as Vetinari, in total favor of Patrick Stewart. Though I do think Rickman pretty much has to have a part in it somewhere. One of the wizards, maybe? It's been a while since I read any Discworld novels, my memory of some of the characters is a bit hazy. Time for a refresher....
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:51 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:51 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Bill Nighy too, but I still like Stewart for Vetinari.
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:52 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:52 PM on March 17, 2011
No, Alan Rickman would be Lord Downey, the head of the Assassin's Guild.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:52 PM on March 17, 2011 [9 favorites]
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:52 PM on March 17, 2011 [9 favorites]
I was all, "Whee! Discworld series!!" and then I read the article and saw that there was already a Good Omens series scheduled and I had to go get a new set of underpants. Partially due to excitement, partially due to dread.
posted by LMGM at 5:52 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by LMGM at 5:52 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Ooh. This is fun.
William de Worde -- David Tennant
Aziraphale and Crowley -- Mitchell & Webb
Nobby -- Andy Serkis
posted by schmod at 5:54 PM on March 17, 2011
William de Worde -- David Tennant
Aziraphale and Crowley -- Mitchell & Webb
Nobby -- Andy Serkis
posted by schmod at 5:54 PM on March 17, 2011
Can I just nominate myself for a lady dwarf in the background? I'm entirely willing to wear a beard for the duration of filming, and to eat things that look like rat onna stick.
posted by Mizu at 6:02 PM on March 17, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Mizu at 6:02 PM on March 17, 2011 [4 favorites]
I have this nasty feeling they're going to make Vimes pretty. I mean, he's not Nobby, but he's had a life on the street, he should look weathered and haggard. But I think I always picture him as much younger than he is, so whoever they pick it going to feel weird. And the wizards always seem weird to me, even though they're more or less right by the books.
So long as they don't frickin' re-cast Sean Astin as anything other than Corpse #2.
posted by Kyol at 6:04 PM on March 17, 2011
So long as they don't frickin' re-cast Sean Astin as anything other than Corpse #2.
posted by Kyol at 6:04 PM on March 17, 2011
Ian McShane as Havelock Vetinari
Steve Buchemei as Nobby Nobbs
Nick Frost as Sargent Colon
posted by bonehead at 6:07 PM on March 17, 2011
Steve Buchemei as Nobby Nobbs
Nick Frost as Sargent Colon
posted by bonehead at 6:07 PM on March 17, 2011
Oh please, please take art/costume direction from Paul Kidby, he's so wonderful with all the little details from the books.
...and I don't want to redo my Vimes costume for Dragon*Con, finding that breastplate was a bitch...
posted by Wossname at 6:08 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
...and I don't want to redo my Vimes costume for Dragon*Con, finding that breastplate was a bitch...
posted by Wossname at 6:08 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
yesyesyes, and I want it to do so well that they then do Night Watch as a theatrical release
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 6:09 PM on March 17, 2011
Hugh Laurie is actually looking pretty haggard these days - I could see him do a good Vimes.
Stephen Fry wuold make an excellent Ridcully, if he would stoop to such a small role.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:10 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
Stephen Fry wuold make an excellent Ridcully, if he would stoop to such a small role.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:10 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
If the could get husband and wife Laurence Fox and Billie Piper to be Pollution and War, that'd be pretty cool.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:16 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:16 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
His thoughts were red thoughts: "Hugh Laurie is actually looking pretty haggard these days - I could see him do a good Vimes."
He's be a great Vimes! :)
posted by zarq at 6:21 PM on March 17, 2011 [5 favorites]
He's be a great Vimes! :)
posted by zarq at 6:21 PM on March 17, 2011 [5 favorites]
I'll second Hugh Laurie as Vimes. And how about Robbie Coltrane for the Dean?
Maggie Smith as Granny Weatherwax.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:23 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Maggie Smith as Granny Weatherwax.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:23 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Vimes as depicted in canonical illustrations always reminds me Harry Dean Stanton.
Who is, unfortunately, eighty-five years old these days.
Night Watch. Fuck, yeah.
posted by steambadger at 6:24 PM on March 17, 2011
Who is, unfortunately, eighty-five years old these days.
Night Watch. Fuck, yeah.
posted by steambadger at 6:24 PM on March 17, 2011
McShane would be interesting as Vetinari but.. I don't know. Too thuggish. And he'd have to lose a lot of weight. He should definitely be somebody, though. Aside from the goofy 80s hair I enjoyed Lovejoy, which I watched for the first time recently, and he was fantastic in Kings.
posted by curious nu at 6:24 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by curious nu at 6:24 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Well, I WOULD eat real rat onna stick OR one of Dibbler's real sausages just to be a extra. Now that IS real dedication.
posted by Samizdata at 6:24 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Samizdata at 6:24 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
I dunno, I always picture Vimes as not so tall-and-skinny as Hugh Laurie. And not so ... expressive? I guess I think of Vimes as looking kind of aggressively average. He is thinking a lot of things, but they never make it to his face until he turns into Super Rage Terror Vimes.
posted by little cow make small moo at 6:26 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by little cow make small moo at 6:26 PM on March 17, 2011
I don't know. I watched Hogfather and The Color of Magic.
Hogfather was okay. It had some wonderful parts but they didn't add up to much in the way of a whole. Susan was just completely amazing and Death was perfect but most else felt flat except for a few scenes.
The Color of Magic just kind of sucked. Wasn't even Sean Astin's fault, it just bored the shit out of me.
Eventually I found myself asking: What was the point of this? What does being turned into a television miniseries add to it, other than stripping out most of the prose, condensing the story, and making it so you don't have to use your imagination to picture the characters or hear their voices? Or casting actors who look completely different than I've always pictured the characters so there's this weird jarring effect?
Don't get me wrong, I think Discworld as a setting would work fine as a collection of miniseries but something about making movies out of the books rubs me the wrong way. I'd be pretty interested to see original stories written by Pratchett for TV which maybe could take advantage of the properties of the medium. As is, I felt the Discworld novels weren't particularly well-suited for adaptation into film but they were done anyway because making books into movies is The Thing Which Is Done.
I don't have anything against movies - I love them, you know? - but I don't see film as the necessary next incarnation of a successful book.
Anyway. That is what I thought about it. Please don't let my grumpy-old-MONSTER opinions dissuade the excitement parade of this thread because honestly it's a pretty great thing to see. Serious.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 6:27 PM on March 17, 2011 [5 favorites]
Hogfather was okay. It had some wonderful parts but they didn't add up to much in the way of a whole. Susan was just completely amazing and Death was perfect but most else felt flat except for a few scenes.
The Color of Magic just kind of sucked. Wasn't even Sean Astin's fault, it just bored the shit out of me.
Eventually I found myself asking: What was the point of this? What does being turned into a television miniseries add to it, other than stripping out most of the prose, condensing the story, and making it so you don't have to use your imagination to picture the characters or hear their voices? Or casting actors who look completely different than I've always pictured the characters so there's this weird jarring effect?
Don't get me wrong, I think Discworld as a setting would work fine as a collection of miniseries but something about making movies out of the books rubs me the wrong way. I'd be pretty interested to see original stories written by Pratchett for TV which maybe could take advantage of the properties of the medium. As is, I felt the Discworld novels weren't particularly well-suited for adaptation into film but they were done anyway because making books into movies is The Thing Which Is Done.
I don't have anything against movies - I love them, you know? - but I don't see film as the necessary next incarnation of a successful book.
Anyway. That is what I thought about it. Please don't let my grumpy-old-MONSTER opinions dissuade the excitement parade of this thread because honestly it's a pretty great thing to see. Serious.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 6:27 PM on March 17, 2011 [5 favorites]
To go completely off topic, but to share an awesome thing with people who might appreciate it:
TVTropes pointed me to an ancient thread on RPG.net, where some very creative minds came up with a dark mirror Discworld universe. Read on for some chills: Slipped Disc
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:29 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
TVTropes pointed me to an ancient thread on RPG.net, where some very creative minds came up with a dark mirror Discworld universe. Read on for some chills: Slipped Disc
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:29 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
FAMOUS MONSTER: From what I understand, this new production will be original stories centered on the Watch.
posted by kmz at 6:32 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by kmz at 6:32 PM on March 17, 2011
anyone play Discworld Noir?
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:38 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:38 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
I've never read any of these books but I've just added The Color of Magic and Hogfather to my instant queue. They both have about 2.5 stars so I am not hoping for much but if they suck I will be back to castigate you all for wasting my time.
posted by Ad hominem at 6:40 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by Ad hominem at 6:40 PM on March 17, 2011
Good Omens TV series
To say that I have trepidations about this is to define understatement. Good Omens is one of my all time favorite books, ever. If they screw it up, I will be deeply offended and probably do something awful. Like sulk. And say bitchy things about it on the internet.
At least with Discworld they've proven to be able to capture the world with Hogfather (though somewhat less so with the other adaptations).
I will be cautious optimistic until it comes time for me to call in the Luggage to solve this problem for me.
posted by quin at 6:42 PM on March 17, 2011
To say that I have trepidations about this is to define understatement. Good Omens is one of my all time favorite books, ever. If they screw it up, I will be deeply offended and probably do something awful. Like sulk. And say bitchy things about it on the internet.
At least with Discworld they've proven to be able to capture the world with Hogfather (though somewhat less so with the other adaptations).
I will be cautious optimistic until it comes time for me to call in the Luggage to solve this problem for me.
posted by quin at 6:42 PM on March 17, 2011
I think metaBugs suggestion of Pegg as Vetinari is very strong, actually. Vetinari wins because people always underestimate him just enough. An actor with too-apparent menace or presence would risk tipping Vetinari into the standard tyrant he always just avoids becoming. The kind whose head they put on a pole.
posted by howfar at 6:42 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by howfar at 6:42 PM on March 17, 2011
Ad hominem, do NOT start with The Colour of Magic. Do NOT. The Rincewind stories are often weak, and the early books took a little time to get going, so that one is drawn from one of the weakest, if not THE weakest, books in the series. Hogfather is OK overall, sometimes quite good in bits, but it's nowhere near as good as the book.
Try reading just three books to start: Night Watch, Small Gods and Hogfather. There are other really good ones from the series, but these offer a good sampling of Pratchett at his best. If you love these, you'll probably want to read more. If not, why waste your time with movies that even fans think are a decided step down from the original material?
posted by maudlin at 6:47 PM on March 17, 2011 [6 favorites]
Try reading just three books to start: Night Watch, Small Gods and Hogfather. There are other really good ones from the series, but these offer a good sampling of Pratchett at his best. If you love these, you'll probably want to read more. If not, why waste your time with movies that even fans think are a decided step down from the original material?
posted by maudlin at 6:47 PM on March 17, 2011 [6 favorites]
John Hannah as Vimes, I think. (Compare John Rebus to Jonathan Carnahan.)
I would love to see Alan Rickman either as Havelock Vetinari or the head of the Assassin's Guild. ("Of course we value life highly. That's why we charge so much for taking it.")
Is James Earl Jones available as DEATH?
(Am I the only one who thinks Daniel Radcliffe should play Ponder Stibbons, just for the lulz?)
posted by SPrintF at 6:51 PM on March 17, 2011 [8 favorites]
I would love to see Alan Rickman either as Havelock Vetinari or the head of the Assassin's Guild. ("Of course we value life highly. That's why we charge so much for taking it.")
Is James Earl Jones available as DEATH?
(Am I the only one who thinks Daniel Radcliffe should play Ponder Stibbons, just for the lulz?)
posted by SPrintF at 6:51 PM on March 17, 2011 [8 favorites]
From what I understand, this new production will be original stories centered on the Watch.
Ah! That is excellent, and I might watch it. Thank you!
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 6:53 PM on March 17, 2011
Ah! That is excellent, and I might watch it. Thank you!
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 6:53 PM on March 17, 2011
Already started and now I need to know the sex of the turtle. Plus they have British accents which makes it slightly better than what I was already watching.
posted by Ad hominem at 6:53 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by Ad hominem at 6:53 PM on March 17, 2011
Prepared for it to suck, as, inevitably, if I like it, mass media fucks it up.
posted by Samizdata at 6:53 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by Samizdata at 6:53 PM on March 17, 2011
(Am I the only one who thinks Daniel Radcliffe should play Ponder Stibbons, just for the lulz?)
THIS SHOULD HAPPEN
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:58 PM on March 17, 2011 [6 favorites]
THIS SHOULD HAPPEN
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:58 PM on March 17, 2011 [6 favorites]
anyone play Discworld Noir?
Oh my god, I loved that game! Been trying to get it to play on my Win7 computer without luck. That so needs to be re-released with updated graphics...
posted by gemmy at 7:13 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh my god, I loved that game! Been trying to get it to play on my Win7 computer without luck. That so needs to be re-released with updated graphics...
posted by gemmy at 7:13 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Eventually I found myself asking: What was the point of this? What does being turned into a television miniseries add to it, other than stripping out most of the prose, condensing the story, and making it so you don't have to use your imagination to picture the characters or hear their voices? Or casting actors who look completely different than I've always pictured the characters so there's this weird jarring effect?
Don't get me wrong, I think Discworld as a setting would work fine as a collection of miniseries but something about making movies out of the books rubs me the wrong way. I'd be pretty interested to see original stories written by Pratchett for TV which maybe could take advantage of the properties of the medium. As is, I felt the Discworld novels weren't particularly well-suited for adaptation into film but they were done anyway because making books into movies is The Thing Which Is Done.
This. I just feel that it's a purely literary form.
But entirely ready to be proved wrong :)
posted by Sebmojo at 7:25 PM on March 17, 2011
Don't get me wrong, I think Discworld as a setting would work fine as a collection of miniseries but something about making movies out of the books rubs me the wrong way. I'd be pretty interested to see original stories written by Pratchett for TV which maybe could take advantage of the properties of the medium. As is, I felt the Discworld novels weren't particularly well-suited for adaptation into film but they were done anyway because making books into movies is The Thing Which Is Done.
This. I just feel that it's a purely literary form.
But entirely ready to be proved wrong :)
posted by Sebmojo at 7:25 PM on March 17, 2011
McShane would be interesting as Vetinari but.. I don't know. Too thuggish. And he'd have to lose a lot of weight.
Mm. The thing is, Vetinari needs to be exceedingly menacing at times. There are very few actors that can do his level of barely veiled threat. McShane can do light as well. The real problem with McShane is that Vetinari is too tolerant by half of the cocksuckers and the hoopleheads.
posted by bonehead at 7:48 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
Mm. The thing is, Vetinari needs to be exceedingly menacing at times. There are very few actors that can do his level of barely veiled threat. McShane can do light as well. The real problem with McShane is that Vetinari is too tolerant by half of the cocksuckers and the hoopleheads.
posted by bonehead at 7:48 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
I've always pictured CMOT Dibbler as Baldrick/Tony Robinson...but he played someone else in Hogfather didn't he?
posted by robotot at 7:59 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by robotot at 7:59 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
Try reading just three books to start: Night Watch, Small Gods and Hogfather.
That's an excellent starter set. I would add Lords and Ladies. The Witches are essential.
posted by steambadger at 8:09 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
That's an excellent starter set. I would add Lords and Ladies. The Witches are essential.
posted by steambadger at 8:09 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
I would add add Wee Free Men. It's for kids! And full of excellent.
posted by LucretiusJones at 8:12 PM on March 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by LucretiusJones at 8:12 PM on March 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
I don't know...I always thought Witches Abroad was an excellent book just for the card-playing scene on the riverboat. Er. I do have that one right? It's been awhile. Is it the opera book which features Nanny's Joy of Snacks? I spent ages trying to figure out what some of the desserts alluded to.
posted by maxwelton at 8:19 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by maxwelton at 8:19 PM on March 17, 2011
Try reading just three books to start: Night Watch, Small Gods and Hogfather. There are other really good ones from the series, but these offer a good sampling of Pratchett at his best.
You're right about Small Gods, but I've got to disagree about the other two. They're Pratchett at his best, no doubt, but they're not the best introductions to the characters. I loved Night Watch because I knew Ankh Morpork by then, and so much of the fun in that books is discovering where all the regulars started out. In order to do that, you have to know who the regulars are first. I'd say start with Guards! Guards! The Watch series works really well chronologically so I don't think anyone should screw with the order too much.
While I don't feel as strongly about Hogfather I think a lot of the same things apply. It's better to be familiar with the characters going in I think. Pratchett had a handle on narrative by the time he got to Reaper Man so I think that's a fine place to start.
But, that's just me.
posted by Doublewhiskeycokenoice at 8:23 PM on March 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
You're right about Small Gods, but I've got to disagree about the other two. They're Pratchett at his best, no doubt, but they're not the best introductions to the characters. I loved Night Watch because I knew Ankh Morpork by then, and so much of the fun in that books is discovering where all the regulars started out. In order to do that, you have to know who the regulars are first. I'd say start with Guards! Guards! The Watch series works really well chronologically so I don't think anyone should screw with the order too much.
While I don't feel as strongly about Hogfather I think a lot of the same things apply. It's better to be familiar with the characters going in I think. Pratchett had a handle on narrative by the time he got to Reaper Man so I think that's a fine place to start.
But, that's just me.
posted by Doublewhiskeycokenoice at 8:23 PM on March 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
(Am I the only one who thinks Daniel Radcliffe should play Ponder Stibbons, just for the lulz?)
Wait, wait, hold on. I thought Daniel Radcliffe was Ponder Stibbons?
posted by NMcCoy at 8:25 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Wait, wait, hold on. I thought Daniel Radcliffe was Ponder Stibbons?
posted by NMcCoy at 8:25 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Vimes: Sean Pertwee
Carrot: Kevin McKidd
Colon: Colm Meaney
Nobby: Steve Coogan
Captain Mayo of the Day Watch: Eddie Izzard
posted by ansate at 8:42 PM on March 17, 2011
Carrot: Kevin McKidd
Colon: Colm Meaney
Nobby: Steve Coogan
Captain Mayo of the Day Watch: Eddie Izzard
posted by ansate at 8:42 PM on March 17, 2011
The novels starring DEATH are always winners but the Watch/Vimes stories are by personal favourites. Totally stoked for Snuff.
I curious as to why people aren't really endorsing actors previously cast in the BBC mini adaptations? Am I the only one who enjoyed Jeremy Irons as Vetinari? I thought that Michelle Dockery as Susan and Ingrid Bolsø Berdal as Angua in particular really matched my mind's eye of the characters.
Colour of Magic was great because it was the first, but is poor compared to the Hogfather (which is more polished but suffered from some growing pains). Going Postal was pretty great. I understand why, but I was rather disappointed that Adora Belle was never depicted chain smoking.
Vimes is awesome; I'm thinking it might be very difficult to cast him - utterly ordinary looking, but grizzled. Tallish, but gravedigger skinny (ie., reasonable amount of muscle, but near zero body fat). Sean Bean (circa LoTR) is a bit too bulky and not quite tall or gaunt-in-the-face enough.
gemmy - try dosbox; it's gotten pretty polished. Oh man, I'm going to have to try my copy of Noir on dosbox now.
Wait, wait, hold on. I thought Daniel Radcliffe was Ponder Stibbons?
LOL!
posted by porpoise at 8:44 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
I curious as to why people aren't really endorsing actors previously cast in the BBC mini adaptations? Am I the only one who enjoyed Jeremy Irons as Vetinari? I thought that Michelle Dockery as Susan and Ingrid Bolsø Berdal as Angua in particular really matched my mind's eye of the characters.
Colour of Magic was great because it was the first, but is poor compared to the Hogfather (which is more polished but suffered from some growing pains). Going Postal was pretty great. I understand why, but I was rather disappointed that Adora Belle was never depicted chain smoking.
Vimes is awesome; I'm thinking it might be very difficult to cast him - utterly ordinary looking, but grizzled. Tallish, but gravedigger skinny (ie., reasonable amount of muscle, but near zero body fat). Sean Bean (circa LoTR) is a bit too bulky and not quite tall or gaunt-in-the-face enough.
gemmy - try dosbox; it's gotten pretty polished. Oh man, I'm going to have to try my copy of Noir on dosbox now.
Wait, wait, hold on. I thought Daniel Radcliffe was Ponder Stibbons?
LOL!
posted by porpoise at 8:44 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Radcliffe is kind of literally Ponder Stibbons so I support this.
posted by The Whelk at 8:55 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 8:55 PM on March 17, 2011
Eddie Izzard as Vetinari. Sounds weird, but he was brilliant in the Day Of The Triffids remake...
GODDAMNIT WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED!!!!!
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 8:55 PM on March 17, 2011
GODDAMNIT WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED!!!!!
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 8:55 PM on March 17, 2011
Sean Connery as Cohen the Barbarian! Thick Scots accent and all.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:55 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:55 PM on March 17, 2011
Sean Connery cameo!
I take back Jeremy Irons. Charles Dance was a much better Vetinari.
posted by porpoise at 8:59 PM on March 17, 2011
I take back Jeremy Irons. Charles Dance was a much better Vetinari.
posted by porpoise at 8:59 PM on March 17, 2011
William de Worde -- David Tennant
This is kind of perfect.
posted by The Whelk at 9:00 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is kind of perfect.
posted by The Whelk at 9:00 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Dawn French as Lady Sibyl. She's not as large but who else could do it, really?
Also, look at the sketch of Sam Vimes in his Wikipedia article and tell me that you don't see a really scruffed-up Richard E. Grant. Yeah, I wouldn't necessarily put him in the part based on what I've seen him in the past, but then again, if you described House to someone who'd never seen the series and knew nothing about it, the last male actor that just about anyone would imagine for the part would have been Hugh Laurie. I think that Grant could do it.
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:08 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also, look at the sketch of Sam Vimes in his Wikipedia article and tell me that you don't see a really scruffed-up Richard E. Grant. Yeah, I wouldn't necessarily put him in the part based on what I've seen him in the past, but then again, if you described House to someone who'd never seen the series and knew nothing about it, the last male actor that just about anyone would imagine for the part would have been Hugh Laurie. I think that Grant could do it.
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:08 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Radcliffe is kind of literally Ponder Stibbons
Paul Kidby certainly thinks so, and he should know. Unseen Academicals; Unseen Academicals again;
Though, it may be that Daniel Radcliffe looks like Ponder (see the bit starting "+ [p. 21]" down the page)
One of the great injustices to residents of the US is not getting the Kidby covers on Pratchet. That's like Carol without Tenniel.
posted by bonehead at 9:11 PM on March 17, 2011
Paul Kidby certainly thinks so, and he should know. Unseen Academicals; Unseen Academicals again;
Though, it may be that Daniel Radcliffe looks like Ponder (see the bit starting "+ [p. 21]" down the page)
One of the great injustices to residents of the US is not getting the Kidby covers on Pratchet. That's like Carol without Tenniel.
posted by bonehead at 9:11 PM on March 17, 2011
I always see Vimes in my head as Bob Hoskins (like Who Framed Roger Rabbit Bob Hoskins, but with his own accent).
posted by annathea at 9:16 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by annathea at 9:16 PM on March 17, 2011
(can I say Unseen Academicals is worming it's way to being like, my favorite discworld book? Seriously the whole crab pail speech. The core of the books was always it's compassionate, Dickensian humanism and U A has that in SPADES. It's up there with Worde confronting his father in The Truth and Moist Saving The Cat in Going Postal.)
Actually thinking on it, I don't think I'd be a be a good William. He's so very very British in making. If it came down to it, I'd like Pepe, if he ever shows up- the Vidal Sassoon of Discworld - Fashion designer by day, brutal assassin by night.
Surely there is a Disc-role I was born for and thus can be flown out and paid to do so?
posted by The Whelk at 9:26 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Actually thinking on it, I don't think I'd be a be a good William. He's so very very British in making. If it came down to it, I'd like Pepe, if he ever shows up- the Vidal Sassoon of Discworld - Fashion designer by day, brutal assassin by night.
Surely there is a Disc-role I was born for and thus can be flown out and paid to do so?
posted by The Whelk at 9:26 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
And no matter who they cast, it's always stressed that Vimes' has a face like a "bad lunch". It should be the kind of eek that doesn't just stop clocks but makes them seriously consider going into another vocation.
posted by The Whelk at 9:31 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 9:31 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
Richard E. Grant is a little tall and a little thin for Vimes. His face is good though, and he certainly has the acting chops for the role.
I almost want to suggest Ron Perlman, but that might just be because I like to see him getting work.
posted by Grimgrin at 9:37 PM on March 17, 2011
I almost want to suggest Ron Perlman, but that might just be because I like to see him getting work.
posted by Grimgrin at 9:37 PM on March 17, 2011
the people behind the upcoming Good Omens TV series
This is like getting two pieces of really exciting news at once!
I am really hopeful about this. I've really loved the miniseries. They are lovingly produced. (Which reminds me I need to see if they put out Going Postal on DVD here yet. . . Apparently not.)
posted by threeturtles at 9:55 PM on March 17, 2011
This is like getting two pieces of really exciting news at once!
I am really hopeful about this. I've really loved the miniseries. They are lovingly produced. (Which reminds me I need to see if they put out Going Postal on DVD here yet. . . Apparently not.)
posted by threeturtles at 9:55 PM on March 17, 2011
anyone play Discworld Noir?
Oh my god, I loved that game! Been trying to get it to play on my Win7 computer without luck. That so needs to be re-released with updated graphics...
I got it to run on Vista (ASK ME HOW!)
The real trick that finally worked, after days of futzing with it, was to download a no-cd crack file (google GameCopyWorld) and use that for your exe link. The game crashed unexpectedly twice during my playthrough, so you have to remember to save often, because you will lose data. But I was able to play it completely and IT WAS SO WORTH IT.
I also ran in in compatibility mode for Windows 95 NT, I believe, with some futzing with various ticky boxes. But it didn't work until the no-cd crack.
posted by threeturtles at 10:08 PM on March 17, 2011
Ron Perlman for Detrius!
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 10:23 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 10:23 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
Er...Detritus.
Please don't hurt me, Discworld fans.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 10:28 PM on March 17, 2011
Please don't hurt me, Discworld fans.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 10:28 PM on March 17, 2011
we'll just put something nasty in your sausage in a bun.
posted by The Whelk at 10:29 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 10:29 PM on March 17, 2011
Colour of Magic was great because it was the first, but is poor compared to the Hogfather (which is more polished but suffered from some growing pains). Going Postal was pretty great.
Hogfather was actually the first one produced.
we'll just put something nasty in your sausage in a bun.
That would make it different from any other CMOT Dibbler offering how?
posted by kmz at 10:32 PM on March 17, 2011
Hogfather was actually the first one produced.
we'll just put something nasty in your sausage in a bun.
That would make it different from any other CMOT Dibbler offering how?
posted by kmz at 10:32 PM on March 17, 2011
The Whelk, that's really not fair. The baseline level for the rest of us is "exceedingly nasty". I don't know what you'd have to do to upgrade to "nasty", but dissing a troll certainly isn't it.
posted by maudlin at 10:33 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by maudlin at 10:33 PM on March 17, 2011
Well it might accidentally taste like something, which is quite contrary to the usual Dribbler fare.
posted by The Whelk at 10:33 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 10:33 PM on March 17, 2011
No, they taste like Vimes' face. (Now I want to see a LOLVimes: I HAZ A FLAVOUR.)
posted by maudlin at 10:35 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by maudlin at 10:35 PM on March 17, 2011
I strongly advise against attempting to lick Mr. Vimes' face if you are very attached to your tongue.
posted by The Whelk at 10:43 PM on March 17, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 10:43 PM on March 17, 2011
Ed Harris for Vetinari. Seriously, think about it. Definitely Alan Rickman for Lord Downey.
And- I know, but go with me here- Rupert Everett for Crowley.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 10:50 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
And- I know, but go with me here- Rupert Everett for Crowley.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 10:50 PM on March 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
The Whelk:William de Worde -- David Tennant
This is kind of perfect
Au contraire. Worde isn't nearly shouty enough.
Damien Lewis is definitely Carrot, though. He also has the benefit of having been born British, so the accent works.
James Nesbitt as Vimes?
posted by coriolisdave at 12:05 AM on March 18, 2011
This is kind of perfect
Au contraire. Worde isn't nearly shouty enough.
Damien Lewis is definitely Carrot, though. He also has the benefit of having been born British, so the accent works.
James Nesbitt as Vimes?
posted by coriolisdave at 12:05 AM on March 18, 2011
I'd say start with Guards! Guards! The Watch series works really well chronologically so I don't think anyone should screw with the order too much
I totally agree with this
Am I the only one who enjoyed Jeremy Irons as Vetinari? I thought that Michelle Dockery as Susan and Ingrid Bolsø Berdal as Angua
you're not alone - I thought those 3 were great too.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 1:49 AM on March 18, 2011
I totally agree with this
Am I the only one who enjoyed Jeremy Irons as Vetinari? I thought that Michelle Dockery as Susan and Ingrid Bolsø Berdal as Angua
you're not alone - I thought those 3 were great too.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 1:49 AM on March 18, 2011
Why are you guys debating who should play which role?
We all know that they'll cast David bloody Jason in all of the roles...
(I'll never forgive them for casting DJ as Rincewind, let alone also casting him as Albert.)
posted by sodium lights the horizon at 2:20 AM on March 18, 2011
We all know that they'll cast David bloody Jason in all of the roles...
(I'll never forgive them for casting DJ as Rincewind, let alone also casting him as Albert.)
posted by sodium lights the horizon at 2:20 AM on March 18, 2011
Ron Perlman would make a great golem.
What you need for Vimes is an English Danny Trejo. Or John Reilly.
Anthony Head has the right accent, but is far too good-looking, alas.
I just hope they weren't waiting for Postlethwaite to pop his clogs.
And now that I think about it, Tim Curry could serve perfectly well as Downey or Vetinari. I may have to rethink my suggestion of Stewart.
Stephen Fry wuold make an excellent Ridcully, if he would stoop to such a small role.
So in your parallel universe copies of the Discworld books, Ridcully isn't a well-built, sporty, outdoorsy chap, and generally doesn't come across as rather dimwitted?
I'll never forgive them for casting DJ as Rincewind
Quite. It's like they hadn't read the bloody novels.
posted by rodgerd at 2:25 AM on March 18, 2011
What you need for Vimes is an English Danny Trejo. Or John Reilly.
Anthony Head has the right accent, but is far too good-looking, alas.
I just hope they weren't waiting for Postlethwaite to pop his clogs.
And now that I think about it, Tim Curry could serve perfectly well as Downey or Vetinari. I may have to rethink my suggestion of Stewart.
Stephen Fry wuold make an excellent Ridcully, if he would stoop to such a small role.
So in your parallel universe copies of the Discworld books, Ridcully isn't a well-built, sporty, outdoorsy chap, and generally doesn't come across as rather dimwitted?
I'll never forgive them for casting DJ as Rincewind
Quite. It's like they hadn't read the bloody novels.
posted by rodgerd at 2:25 AM on March 18, 2011
I'd really love it if they wouldn't play it for laughs but go with a Luther-esque tone of grim determination.
Also, for some reason, I always picture Ridcully like a bearded Jeremy Clarkson.
posted by dominik at 2:39 AM on March 18, 2011
Also, for some reason, I always picture Ridcully like a bearded Jeremy Clarkson.
posted by dominik at 2:39 AM on March 18, 2011
Stephen Briggs as Vetinari. He does a fantastic reading on the abridged audio books (actually, he does a fantastic reading for most of the characters, but Vetinari is first rate).
Here's his site, cmotdibbler.com
posted by zippy at 3:16 AM on March 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Here's his site, cmotdibbler.com
posted by zippy at 3:16 AM on March 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Seconding zippy, Stephen Briggs is a perfect Vetinari. He's played him before, in several plays and now is Vetinari in my head whenever I read the books.
posted by Ms. Next at 3:24 AM on March 18, 2011
posted by Ms. Next at 3:24 AM on March 18, 2011
Loved this, in the last line of the linked article: Terry Pratchett: "...and my message of encouragement to him now is; don’t bugger it up". Indeed!
posted by Ms. Next at 3:27 AM on March 18, 2011
posted by Ms. Next at 3:27 AM on March 18, 2011
This. I just feel that it's a purely literary form.
But entirely ready to be proved wrong :)
I'm with you, I'm also ready to be proved wrong.
But don't fuck with Reaper Man. Some things are sacred.
posted by deadwax at 3:54 AM on March 18, 2011
But entirely ready to be proved wrong :)
I'm with you, I'm also ready to be proved wrong.
But don't fuck with Reaper Man. Some things are sacred.
posted by deadwax at 3:54 AM on March 18, 2011
Carrot: Kevin McKidd
Yeah, you bloody great bastard. Thanks for reminding me how much I bloody miss Journeyman. Every time I get my great love on for MeFi, one of you have to bugger it up with your "My Immortal" this and your "Human Centipede" that. I've said it before, you all are a bunch of soulless snark-laden buzzkills.
And I'm just kidding. But not about missing Journeyman.
posted by Samizdata at 6:14 AM on March 18, 2011
Yeah, you bloody great bastard. Thanks for reminding me how much I bloody miss Journeyman. Every time I get my great love on for MeFi, one of you have to bugger it up with your "My Immortal" this and your "Human Centipede" that. I've said it before, you all are a bunch of soulless snark-laden buzzkills.
And I'm just kidding. But not about missing Journeyman.
posted by Samizdata at 6:14 AM on March 18, 2011
And this July 8-11, Sir Terry will be in Madison, WI for the North American Discworld Con.
I like the witches even better than the City Watch. But I love the Watch.
posted by Zed at 7:07 AM on March 18, 2011
I like the witches even better than the City Watch. But I love the Watch.
posted by Zed at 7:07 AM on March 18, 2011
As I was falling asleep last night an idea occurred to me that I scoffed at, but the more I consider it in the cold light of day, the more I can see it going interesting places: Rowan Atkinson as Vetinari.
posted by quin at 7:43 AM on March 18, 2011
posted by quin at 7:43 AM on March 18, 2011
I just hope they keep the production design looking roughly the same, as that was pretty strong in all the mini-series. The mud-and-hats peusdovictorian with peaked twisting building look.
posted by The Whelk at 7:48 AM on March 18, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 7:48 AM on March 18, 2011
Jeremy Irons just absolutely nailed Vetinari in the miniseries, one of the few highpoints, and you know he doesn't have much to do these days. Tall, poised, intelligent and dangerous, and a small touch of the Discworld absurd... that marvelous stentorian voice with just a wittle bit of a wisp, the unselfconscious doggie-pampering, completely perfect.
Speaking of nothing much to do these days, Christopher Eccleston would make a fantastic Vimes.
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:01 AM on March 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Speaking of nothing much to do these days, Christopher Eccleston would make a fantastic Vimes.
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:01 AM on March 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Christopher Eccleston would make a fantastic Vimes.
I can see that, actually. One of the things I've always liked about Eccleston is that he seems very good at conveying an undercurrent of rage beneath a happy exterior. It's why I thought his Doctor worked so well.
posted by quin at 8:24 AM on March 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
I can see that, actually. One of the things I've always liked about Eccleston is that he seems very good at conveying an undercurrent of rage beneath a happy exterior. It's why I thought his Doctor worked so well.
posted by quin at 8:24 AM on March 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
I don't know whether to be excited or disappointed that it's going to be original stories.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 9:31 AM on March 18, 2011
posted by KirkJobSluder at 9:31 AM on March 18, 2011
On the one hand, I strongly believe that good television really needs to be written for television. So I'd rather see brilliant and witty screenwriters working with brilliant actors to create comedy/drama with Vimes, Colon, Carrot, and Nobbs as source material. On the other hand, I can see so many ways that studio pressure and hack writers could completely ruin it.
But, in the I want a pony department, I want Vimes playing "fetch" with a werewolf and a signal rocket.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 10:05 AM on March 18, 2011 [3 favorites]
But, in the I want a pony department, I want Vimes playing "fetch" with a werewolf and a signal rocket.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 10:05 AM on March 18, 2011 [3 favorites]
I really hope they're able to make something good with this. The adaptations I've seen before had some wince-inducing cheesiness, which seemed to be a result of trying to capture the spirit of the books without being able to actually use Pratchett's amazing turns of phrase. Having to show what Pratchett tells is probably the biggest challenge they face.
posted by missix at 11:16 AM on March 18, 2011
posted by missix at 11:16 AM on March 18, 2011
coriolisdave: "Damien Lewis is definitely Carrot, though. He also has the benefit of having been born British, so the accent works."
Yeah, but, as much as I love Damian Lewis, he's 40.
posted by tzikeh at 12:28 PM on March 18, 2011
Yeah, but, as much as I love Damian Lewis, he's 40.
posted by tzikeh at 12:28 PM on March 18, 2011
Sir Terry Pratchett said, “I’m very excited! I really am incredibly happy about this because Rod was part head of the team that produced the very successful Sky One adaptations and my message of encouragement to him now is; don’t bugger it up!”
Wot he said.
Although I haven't actually seen the Sky adaptations yet. But thanks to this reminder I will add them to my rental queue.
posted by philipy at 12:30 PM on March 18, 2011
Wot he said.
Although I haven't actually seen the Sky adaptations yet. But thanks to this reminder I will add them to my rental queue.
posted by philipy at 12:30 PM on March 18, 2011
Gary Oldman.
You're welcome.
Doe he have a setting other than "overacting ham"?
posted by rodgerd at 2:52 PM on March 18, 2011
You're welcome.
Doe he have a setting other than "overacting ham"?
posted by rodgerd at 2:52 PM on March 18, 2011
In my head, if nowhere else:
Mark Gatiss - Havelock Vetinari
Brian Blessed - Mustrum Ridcully
Uma Thurman - Sgt. Angua
John Hodgman - Ponder Stibbons
The Late Ronnie Barker - Sgt. Colon
I can't think of a single actor with the unexceptional face and look of careworn integrity I imagine Vimes has. I almost wish they find a real policeman for the part.
posted by Montgomery Roebuck at 12:29 AM on March 19, 2011
Mark Gatiss - Havelock Vetinari
Brian Blessed - Mustrum Ridcully
Uma Thurman - Sgt. Angua
John Hodgman - Ponder Stibbons
The Late Ronnie Barker - Sgt. Colon
I can't think of a single actor with the unexceptional face and look of careworn integrity I imagine Vimes has. I almost wish they find a real policeman for the part.
posted by Montgomery Roebuck at 12:29 AM on March 19, 2011
His thoughts were red thoughts: Stephen Fry wuold make an excellent Ridcully, if he would stoop to such a small role.
rodgerd: So in your parallel universe copies of the Discworld books, Ridcully isn't a well-built, sporty, outdoorsy chap, and generally doesn't come across as rather dimwitted?
Two words: General Melchett.
Some other words: Stephen Fry is, among other things, an actor. If employed in a role, he will pretend to be like the person he is hired to personate.
Here's Sir Ian McKellen explaining the principle for those too hard of thinking to grasp it the first time around
posted by howfar at 6:24 AM on March 19, 2011
rodgerd: So in your parallel universe copies of the Discworld books, Ridcully isn't a well-built, sporty, outdoorsy chap, and generally doesn't come across as rather dimwitted?
Two words: General Melchett.
Some other words: Stephen Fry is, among other things, an actor. If employed in a role, he will pretend to be like the person he is hired to personate.
Here's Sir Ian McKellen explaining the principle for those too hard of thinking to grasp it the first time around
posted by howfar at 6:24 AM on March 19, 2011
Some other words: Stephen Fry is, among other things, an actor. If employed in a role, he will pretend to be like the person he is hired to personate.
Yes, he used to be rather good at it. He hasn't really done it for quite some time. It's a commonish afflication amongst actors who become celebrities.
posted by rodgerd at 10:55 AM on March 19, 2011
Yes, he used to be rather good at it. He hasn't really done it for quite some time. It's a commonish afflication amongst actors who become celebrities.
posted by rodgerd at 10:55 AM on March 19, 2011
Here's a fly-on-the-wall video of Pterry and the production crew discussing some of the possibilities of the series. If you like watching your sausage getting made, you might find it interesting.
posted by ooga_booga at 5:21 PM on March 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ooga_booga at 5:21 PM on March 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Looking at Terry and then watching Warren Ellis talk about Alan Moore, I have a question:
Do all British Fantasy/SF authors just become wizards when they age?
Like aside from Grand Morrison, who has become Satan.
posted by The Whelk at 5:29 PM on March 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Do all British Fantasy/SF authors just become wizards when they age?
Like aside from Grand Morrison, who has become Satan.
posted by The Whelk at 5:29 PM on March 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
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