I recently saw a meme of Merlin from The Sword in the Stone (the one where he says he is a grumpy old man) and realized that Disney really needs to do a live action version of that movie. It was one of my favorite Disney movies when I was a kid (yeah, I know, when I was really little it was Dumbo).
The live action remakes they have made updated the themes a bit. I think you could change the theme a little or add a character to give another lesson. If you stick too close to the it does not matter where you come from, but instead your character…then you are awfully close to A Knight’s Tale.
I would love to see the CGI adventures of Merlin changing Arthur into different animals in order to teach him lessons (in the book, there are different animals…a badger, goose, ant…but the important thing is the lessons Arthur learns).
Anyways, who would I cast for this remake?
Merlin
The cranky old wizard, who likes to turn a young boy into different animals, while singing fun songs. I think you need a big name here. Like Will Smith as Genie (oh I know, we are not allowed to mention his name) or Bill Murray as Baloo. So who is an older British actor that would kill it as Merlin without it being too much like Gandalf or Dumbledore. I think Patrick Stewart would be the best choice. He can be grumpy and angry, while also being the silly wizard who changes into a squirrel.
Arthur
The future king. Arthur has a good heart and learns the lessons of Merlin and is eventually judged worthy by Excalibur. He is eleven years old. Any young actor would do just fine. Just make sure they look young. Or maybe you age the part up a bit, that way there could be a romantic interest (Arthur did have a close call with a particularly cute squirrel).
Mad Madam Mim
The witch who ends up having a magic battle with Merlin. I was trying to think of an actress who is older and can sing, but then it hit me. I think this is a role that you could expand. Maybe Mim is trying to sabotage Merlin’s attempts by also changing Arthur and teaching him bad lessons? So here is my thought, Lady Gaga as Mim when Arthur meets him. She is sweet and nice, giving him lessons that just do not jibe with Merlin’s lessons. When Merlin finds out and they battle, she reveals her true form, some hideous old hag.
Archimedes
The intelligent, speaking owl who is Merlin’s pet. Or maybe his only friend. I think this is a role that could be expanded. Archimedes is fun and the movie could give him some more lines. Look, if you get Patrick Stewart to play Merlin, why not have his good friend, Ian McKellen as Archimedes. Also, it would be funny since the book the movie is based on is what is featured in the X-Men movies (I think Professor X takes it from Magneto’s cell and is reading it to his kids at the end of X2).
Sir Ector
Liam Cunningham as Arthur’s foster father. He does care about Arthur, but he treats him a bit like a servant. Maybe give him a backstory, like he was with the previous king’s close friend or guard. He hears about the tournament to crown a new king and he has been grooming his son for years for the moment.
Sir Kay
Ector’s son and the asshole foster brother to Arthur. I think it would be cool to change this role a bit. Instead of the oafish, uncouth Kay, why not have someone who is refined and completely perfect in appearance for the job of being king. But, he is a jerk and no one ever sees it except Arthur. I am thinking Paul Mescal, the guy from Normal People would be good. He could pull off that charming nice guy, but have some deep down asshole to him.
What do you think? Would you watch this movie???
