what's the deal with all the british movies that american actors can't be in??

[office]

im not being rude to the british but im jsut saying, LOTR and Narnia and Harry Potter are all british based, or suppoesed to be. why is magic conntected to the british so much? i wonder why..... and i think any actor no matter what nationallity shouldbe able to at least auditioin!

NO FLAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D

[♣Teh Deviant♣]

ok, ok, ok...KKK.....OKAY! WE GET IT! *isnt flaming* You want to be in a Narnia movie, but ur not British! And ur making a bunch of threads about it!

But anyways....yeah thats pretty much it.. :rolleyes:

[SacredSpirit]

Well Elijah Wood is American..yeah i get what you mean, there could be lots of undiscovered great actors/actresses everywhere!!!!

[Jill Pole Queen of Narnia]

I agree with you. I sent an E-mail to the casting director of Harry Potter and got somthing back saying only people from Scotland and England can audition

[office]

of course i want to be in the movie! everyone does........ im not posting all about im just saying that magic is deeply based in britain and i want to know why!

nice point elijah wood is american and so is sean astin and viggo mortensen and liv tyler to i guess LOTR doesn't count......lol

oh yea.... i know why magic is based alot in britain! KING ARTHUR AND MERLIN! duh......lol

[♣Teh Deviant♣]

Magic is British because faerielore and folklore and superstition is mainly British-derived..THEY probably got it from the Native Americans when they came here (well some more than what they already had) but who would watch a Native American movie? NO offense, Native Americans are cool, but not for movies..no one would watch that..
But most magical places are based on British places, by British authors and so on, so it would only be sensable to make a movie out of it with British actors and/or ppl that can acheive a perfect British accent..like me...or Johnny Depp! :eek: :rolleyes: :D

[LadyofGreenKirtle]

Yeah, it's lame, but that's just how the industry is. There are plenty of amazing movies that are still coming out that people could be in. Narnia and HP (while good) aren't the only things. If you really have a passion for acting and such, you'll be ecstatic to be cast in ANYTHING as ANYONE. When you become A-listed, you can then be like, "Look, I wanna play this role in this movie." That's just how it works, my friends.

America isn't really connected with Fantasy work, mi thinks, because it's more of a new country. I mean, Europe and such is where the actual Ren and Medevil periods happened, so there is a lot more history and fantasy elements there. In America, we can only dream of such fantasy... oh, and see it in said movies. =)

[Faun 3.0]

I still think it's unfair to shut people out like that

[Crimson]

i wish i could act in a movie.. yeah in my dreams :rolleyes:

[Aslan'sFriend410]

Well, this is just me, but since the authors of the bookss are from England and both rely heavily on actors who can spek an English, or some similar, accent, I fouund it logical. I think it adds some charm to Narnia because the story takes place in England and the characters really live there. I would love to be in a Narnia movie but my southern self could never pull off that accent. However, if there was someone who could that wasn't from there I wouldn't see a problem with giving the a role.

[writinghorses]

It's simple, they're written that way, that's the way the world works and most American actors couldn't cut bait in those films. I'm very sorry, but that's how things go. Narnia is a film about British children during WWII, that's the entire basis of how they even get to Narnia. You're little rant, just proves the American tradition of taking over what's not theirs (well, ours) to begin with. Get over it.

[Someonebeatmetowunderkind]

If you are all that great of an actor, you should be able to fake a british accent. Get to practicing. :)

[Oddish]

If a story takes place in England, then English actors (or those who can pass for such, like Dick van Dyke in "Mary Poppins") should be used. And besides, Yank Michael Madsen did the voice for Maugrim the Wolf. So it wasn't all Britishers.

[LadyofGreenKirtle]

It's simple, they're written that way, that's the way the world works and most American actors couldn't cut bait in those films. I'm very sorry, but that's how things go. Narnia is a film about British children during WWII, that's the entire basis of how they even get to Narnia. You're little rant, just proves the American tradition of taking over what's not theirs (well, ours) to begin with. Get over it.


.....snap.

[bottom]

Im British but if you think about it, it seems that all fantasy tales that appear to be successful seem to have an English accent besides Star Wars of course :p . I haven't read the 'Eragon' book at all but the main character is British and no doubt that his accent will be English? I don't get that reasoning is it because all tales with mythic quality have to have an English speaking person involved?

[LadyofGreenKirtle]

Im British but if you think about it, it seems that all fantasy tales that appear to be successful seem to have an English accent besides Star Wars of course :p . I haven't read the 'Eragon' book at all but the main character is British and no doubt that his accent will be English? I don't get that reasoning is it because all tales with mythic quality have to have an English speaking person involved?

I just think it's because of what we said earlier. England is more based in mythology and fantasy than America or anywhere else is. I mean, the midevil period was full of fantasy stores (of dragons and knights and such). It's classic literature there. For example, Merlin and King Arthur (as was said earlier in this thread).

[Princey]

HELLO! Narnia is about English children so they have to be British! If a book is about American children then the cast will probably be American? What's wrong with the British anyway? *pulls out dagger and waves it threateningly in front of your face*

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Given America's domination of the entertainment industry (about the only thing we try to excel at anymore, it seems), I think it delightful that two of the largest major motion picture franchises for young people are stubbornly British. (Harry Potter and Narnia). They were written that way, and "Britishness" is part and parcel of their nature, and I'm glad that the producers are insisting on retaining the British nature of the stories right down to the young actors.

[umbrellaxscenexcore]

um, cuz like the casting hall's in england so mostly brit ppl go and cuz they have the accent and they can be easily reached, and besides I would rather not have any americans in british movies unless necesary cuz like America is really popular in movies and media and shows and stuff that it's gud to have a change we get to noe our british friends(lol)and they have they're "culture" ok. that didn't make sense. so yeah, british ppl deserve a chance in popuuplar movies aswell

[umbrellaxscenexcore]

yeah and the bks r british so y shouldn't the movies be totally british? I luv british movies....

[Faun 3.0]

Im British but if you think about it, it seems that all fantasy tales that appear to be successful seem to have an English accent besides Star Wars of course :p . I haven't read the 'Eragon' book at all but the main character is British and no doubt that his accent will be English? I don't get that reasoning is it because all tales with mythic quality have to have an English speaking person involved?
The author of Eragon is American.

They just happened to cast the movie character as British, but Brom is American and so is Joss Stone as Angelina. They come from around the world, not just Europe.

[~Rogue~]

Joss Stone? The soul singer from Devon?

Classic British books are going to want to cater to the expectations of generations of fans. What's the point of casting some American to play a British child when you have a country full of them and no vocal training required (besides they can never really get the accents properly because British people always have some sort of regional twang) and it's easier to achieve the RP required for film.

[bottom]

The author of Eragon is American.

They just happened to cast the movie character as British, but Brom is American and so is Joss Stone as Angelina. They come from around the world, not just Europe.

I realise that!, what I was trying to say, why didn't they cast an American as the lead role as it was written by an American Author? Joss Stone the soul singer is British, sure she has an American twang when she sings but she is 100% from the British Isles, dont assume people who sing 'soul' all come from America.

[Faun 3.0]

And it's much easier to get the main part of a cool film if you're(in the first place) Caucasian. Seriously, have you ever seen a movie that didn't involve anything about the Struggle,Hip Hop,or Gangs and comedy with a black person as the main character?

The only two movies I can think of are:
Alian VS Predator (Horror)
Finding Forester(Drama)

Feel free to add to that list

[bottom]

We are getting of topic here, no-one mentioned race and be careful what you have just said because that is just plain stereotyping and in some respect quite offensive :mad: ...

[~Rogue~]

Black people ALWAYS get killed in horror films........it's a fact.

[bottom]

Black people ALWAYS get killed in horror films........it's a fact.

And so do white people!! whats your point?, I could say nearly all bloodthirsty killers are white! I could say all asian characters portrayed in films all know kung fu... but this is generalising and stereotyping. So I confused which one are you? The stereotyper, or someone like me who empathises with ethnic minorities, albeit the Hollywood industry is changing slowly!!

P.S

Brandy survived in 'I Still know what you did last Summer'

[Kermit With Sword]

i do agree its unfair to exclude american's from this.

Narnia was done by walt disney and walden media right?
those companies are in america. i doubt walt disney would've done this.
plus + i wish the companies would put themselves in our place. how would they like it if we wouldn't let them audtion right?

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Actually, the movies were just made by Walden. Disney helped market them, but Walden did all the production.

Walden is based in America, but I appreciate that they kept the movie "strictly British". Considering that Paramount, the movie house who owned the rights before Walden did, was toying with the idea of "making" Lion, except moving the site to Los Angeles, making the kids "typical" middle-class Americans, having the "crisis" be an earthquake (instead of the Blitz), and having them find their way to Narnia through a swimming pool - well, I'm just glad they sold the rights to Walden before making a travesty like that. I would have boycotted that on principle.

[Catalyst]

I dont see anything wrong with it. It's not like Americans are majorly deprived of acting opportunities.



The same type of controversey went on about casting Chinese in the movie Memiors of a Geisha. I dont understand why there is a need to have people act like they're an ethnic group when they can cast someone from that group. It's not exclusive, it's the scrpit. If it calls for a Geisha (Japanese) then cast Japanese.

[Faun 3.0]

I was using back people as an example of typecasting that has been going on since forever.

Like the only time you ever see an Asian person as the main character is in karate movies.If they're not the main character, they're usually the foreign person who works at the Chinese resteraunt.

And there have hardly been any movies with hispanics in them

So don't complain because you don't have a british accent. If you're white in the first place, (I'm not saying it's a bad thing!!) you have a better chance of getting roles in a lot of films than other people have.

And why should chinese and hispanics be typecasted as "the foreign people" in a lot of movies? And why is 99% of every movie with mainly black people about hip hop. Now I do like hip hop alot. But come on!! That's not all we're good for

I repeat what I said two paragraphs back:
So don't complain because you don't have a british accent. If you're white in the first place, (I'm not saying it's a bad thing!!) you have a better chance of getting roles in a lot of films than other people have.

[theorangejello]

I was using back people as an example of typecasting that has been going on since forever.

Like the only time you ever see an Asian person as the main character is in karate movies.If they're not the main character, they're usually the foreign person who works at the Chinese resteraunt.

And there have hardly been any movies with hispanics in them

So don't complain because you don't have a british accent. If you're white in the first place, (I'm not saying it's a bad thing!!) you have a better chance of getting roles in a lot of films than other people have.

And why should chinese and hispanics be typecasted as "the foreign people" in a lot of movies? And why is 99% of every movie with mainly black people about hip hop. Now I do like hip hop alot. But come on!! That's not all we're good for

I repeat what I said two paragraphs back:
So don't complain because you don't have a british accent. If you're white in the first place, (I'm not saying it's a bad thing!!) you have a better chance of getting roles in a lot of films than other people have.

and to add on u only see indian people usually working in some shop or driving a taxi in the movies.. like harold and kumar.
I MEAN SERIOUSLY!!!

[PrinceOfTheWest]

With respect to Indian actors and actresses, there are many movies produced out of Mumbai (Bombay) - so much so that it's called "Bollywood". I've actually heart those movies are quite interesting, though long and full of song and dance numbers. I wish more would make it to the Western market!

[theorangejello]

With respect to Indian actors and actresses, there are many movies produced out of Mumbai (Bombay) - so much so that it's called "Bollywood". I've actually heart those movies are quite interesting, though long and full of song and dance numbers. I wish more would make it to the Western market!

OH THANKs
so do i lol.. i'm indian.. and i grew up basically watching bollywood.
who are ur favorite actors??
i love Sharuk khan!! and Zayed Khan..
AND MADURI DIXIT!!
HEHEEE
plus amitabh and jaiya and abhishek bachan

[PrinceOfTheWest]

OH THANKs
so do i lol.. i'm indian.. and i grew up basically watching bollywood.
who are ur favorite actors??
i love Sharuk khan!! and Zayed Khan..
AND MADURI DIXIT!!
HEHEEE
plus amitabh and jaiya and abhishek bachanSadly, I don't have any favorites because I haven't had exposure to the movies. There was one that almost "broke into" the American market called "Bride and Prejudice", but when it came it only played in a few theatres. That was a shame, because I hear it was well done and quite funny.

I like the idea that though the movies are romantic, they are not dripping with overt sexuality and violence. That would be refreshing!

[LadyofGreenKirtle]

Sadly, I don't have any favorites because I haven't had exposure to the movies. There was one that almost "broke into" the American market called "Bride and Prejudice", but when it came it only played in a few theatres. That was a shame, because I hear it was well done and quite funny.

I like the idea that though the movies are romantic, they are not dripping with overt sexuality and violence. That would be refreshing!

Ha, yeah, it was pretty good. (Bride and Prejudice) I had it at the theatre I worked at when it came out. But not a lot of people knew about it so we hardly got any business for it.

[Faun 3.0]

Okay back on topic people

[~Rogue~]

I dont see anything wrong with it. It's not like Americans are majorly deprived of acting opportunities.



The same type of controversey went on about casting Chinese in the movie Memiors of a Geisha. I dont understand why there is a need to have people act like they're an ethnic group when they can cast someone from that group. It's not exclusive, it's the scrpit. If it calls for a Geisha (Japanese) then cast Japanese.

I think you American's here have very selfish attitudes. You have the biggest film industry in the world and you wanna crash ours? New Zealand and Australia are ok because they are still part of the British Commonwealth and they have brilliant attitudes towards their films.

It makes sense to cast people in the corresponding countries and due to the fact they are classic British books I think we're entitled to keep them as true as possible and not let them get corrupted.

As for the black people thing, it is a pity that most characters are assumed to be white in these books (I've always thought of Lavendar Brown in HP as a mixed race girl) and indeed it is very limiting when you want to be cast in films like this and your colour provides a problem (though it really shouldnt).

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Kingsley Shacklebolt in HP is explicitly described as being a great, bald black guy, and he's as cool as they come! Can't wait to see him in action.

I agree with you, Rogue - I think the major American studios are far too fixated on America. Oddly, here in the States, it gets even more specific - from the movies and television shows, you'd swear that nobody lives outside southern California or New York (except, perhaps, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.). Talk about self-obsessed! The derogatory term for everything in between is "fly-over country", as in "country you fly over while traveling between places that really matter." That's one reason I'm so delighted by the HP and Narnia film series, with their inherent Britishness.

[Catalyst]

I think you American's here have very selfish attitudes. You have the biggest film industry in the world and you wanna crash ours? New Zealand and Australia are ok because they are still part of the British Commonwealth and they have brilliant attitudes towards their films.

It makes sense to cast people in the corresponding countries and due to the fact they are classic British books I think we're entitled to keep them as true as possible and not let them get corrupted.
).

I'm hoping that you knowingly reiterated what I said, not thinking that I'm among the population that believes that because we're American we deserve unlimited access to roles.

[miss_elizabeth]

well you see, hp, LOTR and narnia are few of the films that has "all british cast" esp. hp. the 'hero' should be british (take example for james bond.). god! i mean many american actors are not given chances for the part because they don't have 'the right looks or nationality' (liam aiken should be harry potter, y'all know) but i tink british movies had is the chemistry and the accent..IMO :)

[Truth[and lies]]

I think they only casted British/Scottish/Irish/whatever(And I'm speaking generally) for the authenticity. My friend was furious when she found out that Chinese were casted instead of Japanese for Memoirs of a Geisha. That's probably the effect they were aiming for. To have that feeling when you're watching.

[QueenSusanofNarnia]

im not being rude to the british but im jsut saying, LOTR and Narnia and Harry Potter are all british based, or suppoesed to be. why is magic conntected to the british so much? i wonder why..... and i think any actor no matter what nationallity shouldbe able to at least auditioin!

NO FLAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D


You know, I totally agree.
I love HP, Narnia, and LotR. I sent in a request to HP to be an extra, but they wrote back saying:
You are not allowed to be in a [HP] movie unless you are from Europe.


I mean, COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!

[narnian\elven princess]

ya i know
y british and stuff
y cant just eny actor audition
it unfaire!

[Apple_Of_Life29]

ehh. gosh people. the authors of narnia, lotr, and hp are all british(a point already made) so it would only make sense. aaaaand, wouldnt it be weird of say, susan and edmund had american accents, and lucy and peter british? it would hurt the flow. america has many other oppurtunities, so stop being babies about films like these(i live in america also)!!!!!! and create some good ones to show your worthy enough for a film like narnia~!

[Dora_the_explora]

Well, the director of LWW is a New Zealander.....

[Moseleyfreak]

I find nothing wrong with an all british cast.

[polly&digory]

I find nothing wrong with an all british cast.
There isn't anything wrong with it, of course. But what isn't fair is the fact that a british actor can come and play an american when americans can't do the same. The only actress i have seen recently play a brit is Natalie portman. i am sure there are a few americans who can play brit's i just don't think there is the opportunity.

[Moseleyfreak]

Americans do not talk like Brits.

[moi_18]

Jup, I do think it's discrimination, because if there was to be a new american movie and they wouldn't hire british actors, people would be insulted..

[waterhogboy]

There isn't anything wrong with it, of course. But what isn't fair is the fact that a british actor can come and play an american when americans can't do the same. The only actress i have seen recently play a brit is Natalie portman. i am sure there are a few americans who can play brit's i just don't think there is the opportunity.

Johnny Depp plays a Brit in Pirates of the Carribean! Rene Zellwegger playing Briget Jones?? Also, portraying Beartix Potter in the upcoming films!

The thing is about these actors is that they REALLy can do British accents, not that they think they can. Many Americans cant pull off a British accent, not cos they dont sound right, but intonation and even who British people act is completely different! To make the film believable the best is to go for British actors.

[Lucy of Nárnia]

Well, easy, the authors of the books are from the UK so... first they probably would like to see the films of their books with british people and second, well you already said what I was about to say. Can you see Harry/Ron/Hermione Lucy/Peter/Susan/Edmund with an American accent? even if the actors could do the british acent! let it be...it's ok! people from Portugal, Spain, Filand, Japan, China, and all those countries that don't speak english don't have a chance it would be even more injust.

[rembrandt]

And it's much easier to get the main part of a cool film if you're(in the first place) Caucasian. Seriously, have you ever seen a movie that didn't involve anything about the Struggle,Hip Hop,or Gangs and comedy with a black person as the main character?

The only two movies I can think of are:
Alian VS Predator (Horror)
Finding Forester(Drama)

Feel free to add to that list

Much Ado About Nothing... Denzel Washington although that is technically a Shakespearean comedy.

and who is beartix potter? (or what is)