Who Should Play Beorn in The Hobbit? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Macalaure · 12-07-2006, 07:35 AM

Though I really like Bana, I don't think that a minor character like Beorn could justify an actor as popular (and expensive!) like him. I'm sure they'll find some decent actor, whom probably none of us had known before.

Besides, am I the only one who fears that Beorn could perhaps share the fate of Tom Bombadil?

Bêthberry · 12-07-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macalaure

Besides, am I the only one who fears that Beorn could perhaps share the fate of Tom Bombadil?

Could well be the case, especially if TH is "expanded" into two films with background from The Silm.

Still, one would think they would need all the action they can get if they want this expansion. Surely a shape-shifting bear could be used to provide some log rolling if not tree shielding comic relief?

narfforc · 12-08-2006, 07:34 AM

Robbie Coltrane, for those non-British he is the actor who plays Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies.

P.S Hairy Potter and The Prisoners on a Razorban, or
Potty Harry and The Goblins on Fire

Lush · 12-08-2006, 09:07 AM

Robbie Coltrane would be pretty sweet. Also, Brian Blessed is amazing.

Aaron · 12-08-2006, 09:21 AM

But Beorn is in my mind a character who is almost an antihero, I'll never forget how he nailed the Warg skin to a tree. Whoever plays him needs to have a real edge.

Lush · 12-10-2006, 09:37 PM

Coltrane has major edge. Have you ever watched "Cracker"?

And Brian Blessed is also a great actor, with great range. Range and versatility are what's important here, I think.

They could do something really new, and get Michael Clarke Duncan.

doug*platypus · 12-10-2006, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Robbie Coltrane, for those non-British he is the actor who plays Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies.

Yeah, for sure. When I thought "Beorn" I immediately afterwards thought "Hagrid". I agree that he has to have a bit of a dangerous edge to him, as well, though. Beorn is a bit of a maniac!

Sir Kohran · 12-11-2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macalaure

Besides, am I the only one who fears that Beorn could perhaps share the fate of Tom Bombadil?

Could well be the case, especially if TH is "expanded" into two films with background from The Silm.

Still, one would think they would need all the action they can get if they want this expansion. Surely a shape-shifting bear could be used to provide some log rolling if not tree shielding comic relief?

I don't think they'll get rid of Beorn as he's an important character - he saves Thorin from instant death and almost single handedly turns the tide of the battle on the ground. Besides that, is any film director going to pass up a bearded shapeshifter who transforms into a giant fighting bear?

The problem with Bombadil was that he would have totally ruined the atmosphere. Think about it - we have the scared Hobbits fleeing through the night in the shadowy forests from the ghostly Ringwraiths, when suddenly...'Hey dol! Merry dol! Don't you crush my lillies!' The movie would have lost all credibility, I'm afraid.

Kuruharan · 12-11-2006, 04:54 PM

I will loudly and wildly second any and all nominations of Brian Blessed.

Quote:

Stephen Fry is a big guy (people forget how big he actually is) with enormous range. He might seem too genteel, but he can do it.

Sad that I just can't shake the Jeeves picture...I'm seeing a werebear in a tux bringing Bertie breakfast.

mormegil · 12-11-2006, 07:21 PM

Me? I could do it.

I'm wondering if they will actually expand the role a bit and have Beorn play a bit more active part in the adventure and battle.

Encaitare · 12-11-2006, 08:38 PM

Chuck Norris.

Kuruharan · 12-11-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Chuck Norris.

There are no Wargs, only puppies that Chuck Beorn allows to live.

When the Great Goblin went to sleep every night, he checked his closet for Chuck Beorn.

Chuck Beorn single-handedly won the Battle of Five Armies...oh...wait a minute...

Okay, I'll stop now.

Mithalwen · 01-15-2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

I will loudly and wildly second any and all nominations of Brian Blessed.

Sad that I just can't shake the Jeeves picture...I'm seeing a werebear in a tux bringing Bertie breakfast.

After the initial shock I managed to accept Hugh Laurie, who was Jeeves then a bit typecast in "nice upperclass twit" roles, as "House" ..not sure that it is anything like as big a step for Fry who has played darker roles. However he is sooooo intellectual for what is quite a "primal" role. Might make an interesting Master of Laketown if he could resist the temptation to overact (cf Gosford Park).

How about Gerard Depardieu? He is capable of both charm and menace.

Lalwendë · 01-15-2007, 12:51 PM

I suppose who plays him depends on which 'side' of Beorn you wish to play up the most. If you're talking just about a big guy, then there are a lot to pick from - how about Clive Mantle who made a great Little John in Robin of Sherwood? Or are we talking about Beorn's menacing side? Ray Winstone could do both big and menacing without dumbing it down, seeing as Sean Bean's aready been used, or maybe Alfred Molina? Robert Carlyle does menacing better than anyone though, and with modern film techniques it doesn't matter that he's small. Or do we want to go for the wild side? In that case I go for David Thewlis. And finally, what about the shifty, shamanic side of Beorn? Do we want him to be 'intense'? In that case I'd go for John Malkovich or Joaquin Phoenix, even Ralph Fiennes if he could put on ten stone in film tricks and costume (actually, he'd make an excellent Thranduil so scratch that one

).

Thinlómien · 01-16-2007, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Or do we want to go for the wild side? In that case I go for David Thewlis.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!

He's already ruined one of my favourite characters (Professor Lupin in HP), so don't let him do Beorn. (I'm not saying he's a bad actor - he was very good in the New World, for example - but he just doesn't fit to certain roles.) He lacks the bear-like charisma Beorn has.

Nazgûl-king · 12-18-2007, 06:40 PM

Perhaps Bill Nighy who played Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean could be a good Beorn. As for David Thewlis I think he would be better as Bard.

***Thenamir*** · 12-18-2007, 08:58 PM

Leafing through the thread I would second the nomination of Alfred Molina -- I've seen him in several other roles besides Doc Ock, and he was a very intense presence onscreen.

Nazgûl-king · 06-14-2008, 07:05 AM

I think Jim Cater would be a good Beorn.

12-08-2006, 07:34 AM	#3
narfforc Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muddy-earth Posts: 1,297	Robbie Coltrane, for those non-British he is the actor who plays Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies. P.S Hairy Potter and The Prisoners on a Razorban, or Potty Harry and The Goblins on Fire __________________ [B]THE LORD OF THE GRINS:THE ONE PARODY....A PARODY BETTER THAN THE RINGS OF POWER.

12-08-2006, 09:07 AM	#4
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,770	Robbie Coltrane would be pretty sweet. Also, Brian Blessed is amazing. __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~

12-08-2006, 09:21 AM	#5
Aaron Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: England Posts: 96	But Beorn is in my mind a character who is almost an antihero, I'll never forget how he nailed the Warg skin to a tree. Whoever plays him needs to have a real edge. __________________ Remember, stranger, passing by: As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you shall be. Prepare thyself to follow me.

12-10-2006, 09:37 PM	#6
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,770	Coltrane has major edge. Have you ever watched "Cracker"? And Brian Blessed is also a great actor, with great range. Range and versatility are what's important here, I think. They could do something really new, and get Michael Clarke Duncan. __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~

12-11-2006, 07:21 PM	#10
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,651	Me? I could do it. I'm wondering if they will actually expand the role a bit and have Beorn play a bit more active part in the adventure and battle. __________________ “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

12-07-2006, 07:35 AM	#1
Macalaure Fading Fëanorion Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: into the flood again Posts: 2,911	Though I really like Bana, I don't think that a minor character like Beorn could justify an actor as popular (and expensive!) like him. I'm sure they'll find some decent actor, whom probably none of us had known before. Besides, am I the only one who fears that Beorn could perhaps share the fate of Tom Bombadil?

12-11-2006, 08:38 PM	#11
Encaitare Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: On the jolly starship Enterprise Posts: 1,814	Chuck Norris.

01-15-2007, 12:51 PM	#14
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I suppose who plays him depends on which 'side' of Beorn you wish to play up the most. If you're talking just about a big guy, then there are a lot to pick from - how about Clive Mantle who made a great Little John in Robin of Sherwood? Or are we talking about Beorn's menacing side? Ray Winstone could do both big and menacing without dumbing it down, seeing as Sean Bean's aready been used, or maybe Alfred Molina? Robert Carlyle does menacing better than anyone though, and with modern film techniques it doesn't matter that he's small. Or do we want to go for the wild side? In that case I go for David Thewlis. And finally, what about the shifty, shamanic side of Beorn? Do we want him to be 'intense'? In that case I'd go for John Malkovich or Joaquin Phoenix, even Ralph Fiennes if he could put on ten stone in film tricks and costume (actually, he'd make an excellent Thranduil so scratch that one ). __________________ Gordon's alive!

12-18-2007, 06:40 PM	#16
Nazgûl-king Wight Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 104	Perhaps Bill Nighy who played Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean could be a good Beorn. As for David Thewlis I think he would be better as Bard.

12-18-2007, 08:58 PM	#17
*Thenamir* Spectre of Capitalism Join Date: May 2001 Location: Battling evil bureaucrats at Zeta Aquilae Posts: 987	Leafing through the thread I would second the nomination of Alfred Molina -- I've seen him in several other roles besides Doc Ock, and he was a very intense presence onscreen. __________________ The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. ~~ Marcus Aurelius

06-14-2008, 07:05 AM	#18
Nazgûl-king Wight Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 104	I think Jim Cater would be a good Beorn.