|
Post by DeeDee on Nov 5, 2005 19:56:09 GMT
OOps just like Steve H says its not true if you don't hear it from me (or something like that ) So its not true till you hear it from JB eh ;)so JB gives SH a eh mmm... James didn't even go to Audition so whats with all the Steve wanting us to send post cards mmm... maybe theres been little whispers in James's ear of Smallville season 6 lives in hope ;D But as I see it they've gone with the hight and not the sexyness of James (ok there is another role in there for a good looking James ;D )
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Nov 6, 2005 12:37:33 GMT
More rumblings. Very interesting ones. Ex Isle
Okay, I usually don't comment on casting specifics beyond "We just cast ------- and he's great!"
But I do feel people deserve an explanation on the James Marsters thing. So here it is:
James Marsters passed on the part in the very first week of casting.
James was not alone in this. It's a normal part of the process. We made a list of several dozen guys and checked their availabilities. About half of them dropped out at that point because they weren't interested or weren't available. We contacted James' agent and he told us James was passing because he didn't want to move to Toronto for five years.
No harm, no foul. Like I said, this is a normal part of the process.
But then, surprisingly, James' manager posted on his official website and asked the fans to write to SciFi to try to get James the job. Which was mystifying to me, considering that at this point, James had already passed.
I don't know why this happened. The most innocent explanation is that there was a communications failure between James' manager and his agent. But it did mean that many devoted fans spent a lot of time writing letters and postcards that weren't going to do any good because James wasn't interested in the job.
To make things worse, that same person recently posted an update implying that James didn't get the job because we picked someone else. Now I'm not saying James would've gotten the job if he'd thrown his hat in the ring. He might've. He might not've. But the reason James didn't get the job is because James didn't want the job.
Let me reiterate. We were interested in James as one of our candidates. James passed. James passed before the pilot was even officially announced, before the story appeared on his website, before we held a single audition.
Our final candidates emerged from a long process of auditions and test deals. We narrowed over fifty interested actors down to eight or so very talented finalists. The person who will emerge from this group will do so because he is the most talented guy we could find after a long and arduous process.
And we'll tell you who is it as soon as it's officially released to the press. Because that's how things are supposed to be done.
K. End of rant.
Robert
PS: Just so everyone knows, I've got no hard feelings toward James. I enjoyed working with James before and I look forward to doing so again. But I can't put a gun to his head and frogmarch him to Toronto if he doesn't want to go.Um, oh dear (again). My head is spinning. If James has indeed hired himself an agent again by now, you'd think Mr H would be at least as well informed as them regarding James' wishes, given how closely he works with him. I'm really not sure what the devil has been going on, but it could turn out to be more interesting than the pilot itself, at this rate
|
|
|
Post by Teebee on Nov 6, 2005 14:31:25 GMT
Well know we know..... lol..........you can say that again
|
|
|
Post by DeeDee on Nov 7, 2005 9:50:47 GMT
Oh no don't say the Agent didn't let the Manager know oops!! James didn't want DF yes I can understand James not wanting to move away from home for 5 years, but you never know DF may bomb, you can never tell about these things, I mean look at the mountain and then look at lost, who would have thought plane crash survivors would be great ;D ;D yes lets hope James get more SV and Films and decides to come back and see us sometime ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Nov 7, 2005 11:04:06 GMT
I was in two minds about whether to prolong this, but being all InfoGal and having slept on it, here's another post from RHW (btw, he created a new thread to house the JM controversy, so the link is now Ex Isle):
I strongly suspect James has no idea this went down. And again, in the end, it's not a huge deal, I just didn't want people getting the wrong impression of what really happened.
I suppose early in the process, I could've said "James said no." In retrospect, I probably should have. I just hate divulging details of the casting process. The process can be very hard on actors. And the truth is, of the dozens of terrific candidates, only one is going to win out. I don't think it's fair to the other actors to discuss details of how the whole thing went down. Why so-and-so didn't get it. How we went after whatshisname but he said no. Blah-blah-blah.
I also didn't want to create the false impression that James was in any way the favorite. There was no favorite. We saw many, many fine actors. We had a lot of terrific choices. It would've been nice to have James in the mix, but twas not to be.
And the guy who comes out of that process will rock. I promise.
|
|
|
Post by marilyn on Nov 9, 2005 22:02:31 GMT
I have to say that all of this had me , but the bottom line is JM didn't audition, but he could have. I am such a Harry Dresden fan that I will watch it and judge for myself if I think the actor and the writing are up to JB standards! Sometimes stories you love are completely screwed up so they'll supposedly be more worthy, but Harry is a perfect read and I hope they don't tinker too much with the storyline.
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Nov 9, 2005 22:06:00 GMT
What I've seen of the casting sides has been encouraging, re the script. If it gets picked up for a series they may not be able to sustain JB's quality, but you never know. And at this stage it's a big if anyway.
|
|
NoPatchforJames
Rev Harding
Lady Carrielle, Consort of Sir James. Of good humor but dangerous
Posts: 16
|
Post by NoPatchforJames on Nov 10, 2005 4:41:48 GMT
Coming out of lurkdom to add two cents... I'm not as interested in seeing the pilot now, but I will check it out when it airs, just cause I'm curious to see how it will translate to . I really wanted James as Harry so I'm gonna have a hard time seeing anyone else playing him. I'm hoping for David Duchovny...but I know that's not gonna happen! (Yeah, I'm a DD fan/X-Files fan too). ;D Nonetheless, I love the books and as long as JM does the audio CD versions, I'll be a happy camper. BTW, the pic below is one of the postcards I made and sent to TPTB over at the Sci-Fi channel a while back...
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Nov 10, 2005 9:16:39 GMT
That's very cool ;D I hadn't thought about it before but you know what, I could just see DD as Harry now you mention it. Sadly not to be either, but good call! *** Now it's official, maybe Steve can be let off the hook Wednesday, November 9, 2005 PAUL BLACKTHORNE CASTS A SPELL OVER SCI FI Released by Sci Fi
PAUL BLACKTHORNE CASTS A SPELL OVER SCI FI
Actor Set to Star and David Carson to Direct "The Dresden Files" Pilot From Lions Gate Television
NEW YORK -– November 9, 2005 –- SCI FI Channel has cast Paul Blackthorne (24, Presidio Med) to star as Chicago-based wizard and detective Harry Dresden in The Dresden Files. Director David Carson (Star Trek: Generations) has been tapped to helm the project. Production on the two-hour backdoor pilot film is set to commence in Toronto later this month, with plans for a Summer 2006 premiere.
The Dresden Files is being produced by Lions Gate Television, in association with Nicolas Cage's Saturn Films (The Life of David Gale, Shadow of the Vampire). Hans Beimler (The District, Profiler) and Robert Wolfe (The 4400, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) will serve as executive producers alongside Cage, his Saturn Films partner, Norm Golightly, and Morgan Gendel (Law & Order, V.I.P).
According to Cage, "Norm and I feel that Paul’s passion for the part and talent will translate into a charismatic performance.”
Best known for his acclaimed performance as the villainous Stephen Saunders on 24, Paul Blackthorne also starred in Presidio Med and in the feature film Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India. He has guest starred on Medium and ER, and has a recurring role on Deadwood. Blackthorne is represented by Seven Summits Pictures and Management and SDB Partners.
David Carson has directed numerous sci-fi hits, including the infamous Star Trek: Generations feature film, in which Captain Kirk dies. His other credits include the pilots for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Strange Luck, Sons & Daughters, Celebrity and Odyssey Five – all of which were successfully sold to series.
Based on the best-selling series of novels by Jim Butcher, The Dresden Files, written by Beimler and Wolfe, tells the story of Harry Dresden, a Chicago-based private detective with extraordinary abilities. Where others see typical crimes of assault, kidnapping and murder, Harry sees otherworldly forces at work. He’s a wizard, the real thing, the only wizard listed in the Chicago yellow pages. Whether consulting for the police on inexplicable crimes or following his own cases, Dresden does battle with the forces of darkness, always maintaining a wry sense of humor and a unique perspective on our world.
Lions Gate Television is the television production and distribution arm of Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE: LGF). With a total of four primetime series currently on the air, the company is an important supplier of content to cable and broadcast networks. Lions Gate Entertainment is the premier independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library is a valuable source of stable and recurring revenue and serves as a foundation for the continued growth of the Company’s core businesses. The Lions Gate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.
SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com ) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 85 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.
-----
The above press release was issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.Futon Critic
|
|
|
Post by debw on Nov 10, 2005 20:54:18 GMT
From Jim's mailing list .. I love this guy I'm sure that many have already heard this one, but it's official: Paul Blackthorne as Dresden. James would have loved to do the part, but he was unwilling to head to Toronto for five years: he has family growing up in and around LA, and he didn't want to relocate away from them. It takes a great deal of personal integrity (and considerable wisdom) to realize which things in life are /really/ important. A lot of men wouldn't have made the same decision when offered the temptation of a feature role, quite possibly leading to an ongoing, starring role as the absolute, uncontested core star of a show. Ironically, James' decision in this makes him, at least in my eyes, more Harry-like than ever, and kicks my respect for him up several notches. I'm disappointed--not that he made that decision, which I think is the right one--but that things just didn't work out. That's how business goes sometimes. There are no hard feelings on anyone's side. If the movie goes to a series, though, maybe he could be talked into a guest spot. I can think of several characters, who, if used, James would be great for. Mr. Blackthorne, according to all reports I've heard, is an extremely skilled actor with great presence, and able to do "dark" sorts of scenes and emotions very well. I think he looks remarkably like Connery when he was in "Darby O'Gill and the Little People." You could do worse than a quasi-Connery for a lead actor. With luck, I'll get a chance to visit the set and meet some of the people working on the movie, and give you guys some inside skinny when I return. Jim
|
|
|
Post by nightnurse on Nov 10, 2005 22:08:09 GMT
Aww, Jim is a diamond geezer ( another bit of slang for you M ;D ) What a wonderful thing for JB to say , despite his obvious disappointment It would be grand if JM could pop up in the series as another character.I always thought he would make a great Thomas ...but, blonde vampire ..been there done that ;D I could see him as Johnny Marcone ..in a suit Thanks for bringing that over Deb
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Nov 10, 2005 22:23:48 GMT
Yes, as much as he would make a perfect Thomas, the seductive beast!, I would have to agree with NN. Marcone would be a wonderful role for him ;D
|
|
|
Post by Teebee on Nov 19, 2005 22:09:11 GMT
I see they are changing one or two things ©Ex Isle Poor Toot-Toot ...
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Nov 19, 2005 22:18:37 GMT
Wankers The link to the thread teebee posted about is HERE btw. Toot-toot too comical... Must I say it again; wankers (You can tell I am without nicotine, I bet.. *** If you would like to continue to discuss the progress of the Dresden Files on etc, you can mosey on down to the Harry and Jim thread in Let Your Freak Flag Fly.
|
|