I have not done a casting call in forever. These are always pretty fun. Since I finished The Dinosaur Princess the other day and it looks like this series will be ending (unless someone steps in to write it), I figured it would be a good time to do this.
Karyl Borgomirsky
I kept picturing John Malkovich from Rounders with his terribly awesome accent. However, the more I thought about it and the more the third book went on, I started to picture another actor: Jackie Earle Haley. You may remember him from Watchmen as Rorschach. I actually loved him in the television show, Human Target. He was hilarious and a pretty badass in that show. I think he would be perfect as the warrior mercenary who used to be a count. I would love to see him riding a giant allosaurus fighting against a Gray Angel or the rebel duke. I think the reason Haley is perfect is that he is not some huge dude, but he can pull off the unassuming warrior quite well.
Rob Korrigan
Rob is a traveling bard/dinosaur master. He rides an einiosaurus named Little Nell (it is a type of dinosaur similar to a triceratops). He befriends Karyl and accompanies him upon their travels together. Karyl makes use of Rob’s talents, either handling dinos or being a spymaster. Rob carries an ax that he calls Wanda, he mentions many times that he is not a skilled warrior, but more of a brawler. I think a few of the women describe him as a bulky guy, thick neck, bowed legs from riding a big dino. At first I was thinking someone funny, since Rob is usually the comedic relief. Maybe someone like Rob Riggle. He is a pretty big guy, but I think he might be too silly for the role. Instead, maybe Russell Crowe would be perfect. Think about it! He can sing, he can do the Irish accent (he is an Aussie, they can do all the accents). He is a little older, but whatever, it would work. Crowe was able to pull off not looking too old next to Ryan Gosling in The Nice Guys.
Princess Melodia
The princess of Nuavaropa. She is described as being very beautiful. Also, it seems like the Imperial family has a Spanish descent, so I kept picturing someone incredibly attractive. However, she has to be someone with strength (physical and mental). Someone that you could believe could lead soldiers and become a dinosaur knight. One of my favorite things was when she covers Karyl and Rob’s escape on her dinosaur. She pretends to be inept, but anyone watching could tell she knew exactly what she was doing. It was Melodia’s time to shine (especially since the nobles did not consider her leadership during the battle to be at all meaningful since she was not on a dinosaur). I think Selena Gomez would absolutely be perfect for the role. I mean…c’mon, she is insanely hot. And she just exudes a cool strength.
Jaume
This is a tough one. He is warrior poet. The leader of a sect of the church that believes in beauty. He is betrothed to Melodia (and he is her cousin), he also leads the Emperor’s armies, as well as his own unique group of men. He is considered to be a very beautiful man. Practically perfect. Unfortunately, we have not seen him in action as much as we would like. I mean, he fights plenty of people, but he never has that defining battle with someone. I decided on Maxi Iglesias, who is from Spain and is very good looking. I think women (and men) would approve of Maxi as Jaume. Can you see him going up against Karyl at the beginning of the series and then going to the man for help later and half-expecting to be killed for the betrayal? I could definitely see it!
Duke Falk
The villain. Or at least he seems like the villain. He and his mother are manipulating things to bring about war. He rides a T-Rex and he is an incredible knight. However, after the battle against the Gray Angel horde, he realizes that Jaume is the superior swordsman. He also is a horrible human being. Every time you start to feel a little something for him, you remember that he raped Melodia while she was imprisoned. Yeah, he is not a standup guy. I cannot pinpoint where the Duke is from. He was a northern rebel and I think they mean for him to be Germanic (right?). However, they describe him as also good looking and a pretty big guy. The women of the court like him and the men start wearing a beard like him. I was thinking Tom Hardy. He just looks like the type of guy who would be involved in some plot to overthrow an emperor.
Duchess Dowager Magerthe von Hornberg
Falk’s mother. She is the power behind the scenes. She ends up coming to the capital and she seduces the emperor. She is described as very attractive despite being a bit older. Remember, she is able to ensnare the emperor, who has been staying single since his wife died. Before you think he is desperate, remember that he has high class prostitutes take care of his needs. I decided to look at pictures of actresses over fifty and guess who showed up on the list? Elizabeth Hurley! She is still smokin’ hot. Plus she has the accent to match Tom Hardy. I can definitely see her being seductive and alluring.
Emperador Felipe
Melodia’s father and the emperor of Nuavaropa. He is considered fairly weak, the only reason he was elected emperor was because people thought of him as average. However, he is more savvy than people give him credit. I kept thinking of Alexander Siddig, the guy who played Doran Martell on Game of Thrones. I know that is a little bit on the head, but that is the image I had of the guy.
Bergdahl
He is the advisor to Falk, who is a weasel. He constantly reprimands his boss (he really works for Falk’s mother) and is later assigned to Rob Korrigan. He keeps the newly made baron pretty drunk and gives him bad advice, leading Rob to betray Karyl. Rob describes the man as ugly. I was thinking someone older, but then I remembered that one dude from The Hobbit films. Ryan Gage. He played a great weasel and could do it again. Sorry man, you got typecast.
Uma
The Queen of the Fae. She is obviously going to be CGI. She is described as beautiful and basically like some kind of blue flame in the form of a woman. Kelly Macdonald would be absolutely perfect for the voice and to base the look of the character. I loved her in Boardwalk Empire and I think she has an amazing way of speaking, like a musical quality to her voice.
Raguel
The first of the Gray Angels we encounter. He infiltrates the Garden and causes the horde to form. His goal is to wipe out the humans (I think that is the goal of all the Gray Angels). I am guessing there will be some CGI for him. He is down with the pleasure from the members of the Garden. I believe he is associated with ice (some of these Angel things get confusing). I could see Idris Elba being the actor they base Raguel. Why not? He can do everything.
Uriel
The Gray Angel who is masquerading as Fray Jeronimo. I think he is associated with fire, but is also calm. He wants the destruction of humans, but he wants to go about it a different way. I think he wants them to destroy each other. Hence why he is pushing the Emperor to go to war and he is working with the Duchess. This is a character that we will see in both Angel and human form. I think the actor that would be perfect is Javier Bardem.
Gabriel
We only see her a few times in the third book. She has some dealings with the other two Gray Angels and she definitely does not like Aphrodite. We also see her at the end of the book when she makes her dramatic entrance to the people. She is described as tall, redheaded, and very beautiful. I think Samantha Colburn could handle this role nicely.
Aphrodite
We first meet her as the witch who sets Karyl and Rob on the path. She also heals Karyl’s missing hand. Later we learn that she is sort of the embodiment of Paradise. She can influence things, but she cannot directly interfere. She is at odds with the Gray Angels. I honestly cannot remember how Rob describes her or if Karyl ever comments on her looks. I know that many people would cast someone older. You know, the whole witch thing. But, I would go someone young. Like really young. It would be totally disarming to these older knights if they were being given advice by a beautiful young girl. I would think someone like Odeya Rush would have what it takes. She is twenty years old and stunningly beautiful. I think she could pull it off.
Alright, I think that is most of the main characters. I know there are a bunch of other ones that I skipped. If you want to suggest some, toss ’em out in the comments.
