[Liviutz]

Hey guys. Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I didn't think it a good idea to make a new one.

So, I've just started the Malazan series, I think I'm about halfway through Gardens. I'd been previously warned about the multitude of characters, and I'm using a photo-chart so that I can better visualize/keep track of characters.

I've been searching this thread for suggestions, but not all GoTM characters were present. I was wondering if you'd help out with some GoTM suggestions, other than the ones I've already chosen (some inspired by this very thread). Here's the image (sorry if it breaks the forums):




Yes, I know some of the choices are weird (e.g. I chose Peter Falk solely based on the voice he had in the audible version, I know he'd be more of an Orlando Bloom). These are my choices and I'm sticking with them because for the most part I've already associated them with the characters. I'd love some help from you guys, especially for GoTM, but maybe the other books, too. Thanks!

[Binder of Demons]

What you will find immediately with your list LIVIUTZ, is that you are off on the ethnicity of several characters. It's a very common problem in that while Erikson does give descriptions of his characters, he doesn't necessarily beat you over the head with the fact that certain characters are of a particular ethnicity. It really shows up in threads like this, and I've been guilty of it myself too.

Off your list above, you have Ammanas as being Caucasian, when he is described as black.

The other one which jumps out is that Sorry should have asian features as the major identifying description of people from Itko Kan as have eyes with epicanthic folds. So for Sorry, I would have thought a decent start could have been Kristen Kreuk (from Smallville, or for a bigger actress Zhang Zhiyi, (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).

I always thought Lance Reddick (The Wire, Fringe) would be a great fit for the look of Quick Ben, but whether he'd do the smart ass role well as an actor is my only doubt.

This post has been edited by Binder of Demons: 24 June 2014 - 05:28 PM

[worry]

You're right, Binder, but hold off on spoiling Liv on that particular detail (halfway into GotM as they are).

I would go with the rule of thumb: assume the characters aren't white unless you are specifically told they are, and also don't cast that lady from Dexter in anything ever again.

[Binder of Demons]

Good catch Worry, I've edited my post above to remove that bit. Forgot when that information became obvious.

I love trying to figure out who would play who in a HBO style TV series, but the one I always stumble on is COLTAINE.

[worry]

Hmmm maybe

[Liviutz]

Damn. Well, I was sort of expecting that. The sheer scale of the series has got me exclusively listening to the audiobook version, and, although I'm aware you REALLY have to pay attention to everything the author throws at you, I obviously missed out on stuff.

Who would you guys suggest for the sappers, Hedge and that other guy? I work in the visual field and this reeeally helps out, and I guess I don't have enough insight yet as to cast them accurately. Thanks again!

[worry]

I dunno about Hedge. He's described as bald and leather brown, but the coloring could be for any number of reasons. This may sound like a weird choice, but I'd maybe even go with a balder post-Chong Cheech Marin. Like while he was on Nash Bridges. Fiddler, on the other hand, I can't tell who that guy is you picked (looks like Eric Stoltz and Guy Pearce had a son together) but it's actually a pretty solid choice IMO.

This post has been edited by upworthywort: 24 June 2014 - 07:02 PM

[Liviutz]

It is Eric Stotlz Loved him in Pulp Fiction, and his fidgety, always-on mannerism seemed to fit Fiddler.

[Obdigore]

Ha!

RAFO (Read and Find Out), you have a couple of things on the list that need to be changed, and I'm totally curious who you would cast as Iskral Pust once you get there.

Are you using these people in their 'prime'? For instance, I feel like Terry Crews

Would make a better Kalam, as Mr T is gettying pretty elderly to do that. Also, pretty sure Colombo (Toc the Younger, I've no idea his real name) is dead.

[Starling]

I really enjoy seeing how people picture characters, but unfortunately I'm no help whatsoever as I never really picture characters in my head as I'm reading about them.

Love your choices for Oponn, QB and Nightchill, but... Eddie Murphy? REALLY?

[Liviutz]

In my defense, I saw the SHadowthrone casting either in this thread or a similar one on this forum, and I thought it'd be fun to see him in a serious role, for once.

Anyway, I've since updated the roster, it's getting wilder and wilder

[D'rek]

Ha, that Murillio is hilarious, though probably spot-on!


Uh, I'll put this in spoilers just in case but I don't think is is a spoiler... Liviutz don't read this!

Spoiler

Does anyone know a reason Liviutz, halfway through GotM, should think Ammanas and Shadowthrone are different people?

[Starling]

IS THAT SNOOP DOG? WHAT.

[Obdigore]

 D, on 25 June 2014 - 01:05 PM, said:

Ha, that Murillio is hilarious, though probably spot-on!


Uh, I'll put this in spoilers just in case but I don't think is is a spoiler... Liviutz don't read this!

Spoiler

Does anyone know a reason Liviutz, halfway through GotM, should think Ammanas and Shadowthrone are different people?

SPOILERS, Don't read unless you are at least 4/5 books in.

Spoiler

They have two different names and, iirc, it isn't spelled out that they are the same in GOTM. I don't think a lot of the people in the books realize it (at least that we have the viewpoint of, IE malazans) until later in the series

[Imperial Historian]

Spoiler

Kelanved and shadowthrone are referred to as different people (its fairly explicitly said in dhg that they are the same), ammanas is only referred to explicitly as shadow throne on p360 of gotm, but I think they are referred to as the same person in the dramatis personae

[Liviutz]

Oh boy. Trying REALLY hard not to look at those spoilers Thanks for the Terry Crews suggestion, definitely going to cast him, lol. It really irks me that the audiobook voice of Kalam is whiny and I chuckle every time I picture Mr T squeaking out those lines.

[Obdigore]

Essentially; you have 2 people listed in your cast that is only one person, which you find out in the first 1/3rd of GOTM. (or if you read the appendix)

Don't read Imperial Historians spoiler until you are done with Deadhouse Gates.

[Liviutz]

Oh, ok, and they're probably of different races in my chart ...figures.

[D'rek]

 Imperial Historian, on 26 June 2014 - 04:49 AM, said:

Spoiler

Kelanved and shadowthrone are referred to as different people (its fairly explicitly said in dhg that they are the same), ammanas is only referred to explicitly as shadow throne on p360 of gotm, but I think they are referred to as the same person in the dramatis personae

Major DhG spoilers

Spoiler

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Ammanas = Shadowthrone should not be much of a spoiler. I guess in early GotM the narrator doesn't name Shadowthrone because it is mysterious who has appeared to harass Sorry, but Cotillion calls him Ammanas. It's not explicitly said, but you can infer from descriptions of The Rope and Shadowthrone that they are Ammanas and Cotillion. Quick Ben visiting ST would be the ultimate confirmation, but the various deck readings would be a major indicator too (esp. as relating to Gear, who would be recognizable as a Hound from chapter 1).

Kellanved = Ammanas/ST is indeed a big spoiler that is hinted at blatantly-but-subtly in GotM by Tattersail, but most people only learn in DG. No Kellanved on this chart though, so I wasn't going to mention it at all.

[D'rek]

 Liviutz, on 26 June 2014 - 11:26 AM, said:

Oh, ok, and they're probably of different races in my chart ...figures.

Yup!

Ammanas and Shadowthrone are the same Ascendant/God. I don't think this is at all meant to be a surprise, so I'm okay with "spoiling" it. You could think of it as like "Ammanas" is his name and "Shadowthrone" is his title, perhaps.

(Or, the alternative notion is that Ammanas is a literal translation of Shadowthrone in another language -> "Am" = Throne, "manas" = "Meanas" = Shadow)