Who Should Play Beorn in The Hobbit?

[Aaron]

No but he is quite a deep character being a representation of the awful force of nature in that he is (in my view) equally treacherous and loyal. He'll rip the dwarves apart if he has to, could Vinnie Jones portray this type of person? After watching him very recently in Snatch I'm not too sure

[Sardy]

Though not a household name, I think that actor Marc Nelson (who is a large man, not to mention an absolute master of dialects) would be perfect! He has a long history in theater (starred with Amanda Plummer in the critically acclaimed "Killer Joe") and more recently was the lead in my own film "The Nuke Brothers."





--Scott
www.myspace.com/sardy

[Selmo]

Like others before me, I'll vote for Brian Blessed acting in the over-the-top style he used in Flash Gordon.

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Selmo

I'll vote for Brian Blessed acting in the over-the-top style he used in Flash Gordon.

If he took the role, he couldn't do it any other way.

"Gordon's alive!"

Still, while he does rather look the part, I am not sure that "over the top" is what is called for in Beorn's role. I see him as a rather more understared character. So, for me, Brian Blessed would top my list of picks for Tom Bombadil, rather than Beorn.

Robbie Coltrane would seem the obvious choice, given his association with the Hagrid role in the Harry Potter films, and I am sure that he would be considered for the role.

Stephen Fry is an interesting suggestion. He certainly has the stature, but I am not sure that it is his sort of role. Then again, Beorn in the style of Jeeves or, better still, Oscar Wilde might be interesting ...

What about Stellan Skarsgård? He certainly made an imposing Viking leader in King Arthur.

Or even, as was suggested earlier, Ray Winstone - for a bit of a dodgy-but-salt-of-the-earth-geezer-type Beorn.

[Holbytlass]

Gotta love imdb. Most of the actors suggested I had to look up.

I like the looks of Marc Nelson, Sardy.

How about Michael Clarke Duncan.
He's a big guy and he can certainly pull off the hospitable yet don't get too comfortable Beorn.

I agree though, they probably won't put him in.

[HerenIstarion]

... but I suppose you know the guy...

... the one who is Hagrid in Harry Potter

[Sauron the White]

Brian Blessed is am amazing stroke of genius casting which would be perfect. I realize that the man is about 70 years old - which, on the surface at least, may be pushing it a bit, but he is a veteran mountain climber who is in great shape. So his "real age" may be a lot younger.

Forget about Coltrane. He will forever be associated with the Potter films - and I did not even like him in that role. Giant???? Indeed!

[Sir Kohran]

The Eagles dropping the Dwarves off at Mirkwood? I think that's just a bit absurd...audiences everywhere would be asking why the Eagles stopped giving them help as soon as they arrived at the most arduous and difficult stage of travelling. Why on earth wouldn't the Eagles just fly them over Mirkwood? I think for the sake of common sense Beorn should be included.

[TheLostRanger]

A little off topic with this question, but could anyone tell me what happened to Beorn after the hobbit? Was he still alive during the LotR era? Fade in to obscurity? Or am I forgetting something like he died at the end of the Hobbit? It's been a long while since I've read the Hobbit but he was a favorite character of mine. As far as who I think should play him. I don't know... How about William Wallace's friend (The big guy) from Brave Heart?

[zxcvbn]

Somebody mentioned Robbie Coltraine earlier. I can't think of a better fit for Beorn. His portrayal of Hagrid in the harry Potter film comes to mind. He'd be ideal for playing the grizzled, grim skin-changer.

[TheLostRanger]

Very true zxcvbn. I am near certain he will be considered for the role... but a certain part of me would wonder when his character was introduced in the movie when exactly he was gonna take Bilbo to Hogwarts...

[Knight of Gondor]

I think William Dafoe sounds good, although his voice and demeanor seem to me to be too...thin. His voice is a thin, cruel sounding voice (IE, Green Goblin in Spider-Man, Gill in Finding Nemo), whereas I look to Beorn to be a lumbering, boisterous fellow.

Stephen Fry, I know he's versatile, but I simply can't see him in that role. I haven't seen him in anything but A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster, but still.

Auh-nuld and Chuck are both out.

I like the look of Bob Hoskins in the pictures.

One guy that jumps to my mind is Gordon Kennedy. He plays Little John in the latest BBC Robin Hood.


(The bearded fellow on the left)



He has that heavy-set thick face and the unkempt curly hair and an overall rugged look that I picture Beorn having.

[Lush]

You know, two years ago (gotta love the threads that go ever on and on), someone mentioned Eric Bana.

While Bana is a huge star, and this is a small role, you never know, some actors regularly take pay-cuts so that they get to do stuff they love. If Bana likes Tolkien, he might be up for it. Also, sometimes it's really good to take a break from the big roles, it's good for your resume, and you can really grow as an actor without such enormous pressure that the people in the bigger roles have.