Why are fantasy world accents British?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Dilettante

Canadians do have an accent, even compared to Americans, but it's very subtle, you have to know what you are listening for.

Eh?

In what is probably my favorite "fantasy" film, this one, the main actors have British accents because that happens to be where most appear to have come from.

Is there really a conscious effort to "Anglicize" the fantasy genre, or is that just a perception? Do filmmakers actively seek out British actors for certain types of movies? Somehow, it doesn't seem like a worthwhile pursuit for such a nebulous goal as adding "loftiness" to a production. Maybe it's more luck of the draw.