Voice of Smaug? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Aganzir · 04-13-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formendacil

But Smaug is pretty much the coolest bad guy in Tolkien's corpus, if not beyond.

I prefer Saruman. <3

Quote:

Maybe if Jeremy Irons were Smaug's voice, this fact would cause you to like dragons.

No, it might lead to me not wanting to see the Hobbit film at all in fear of losing my ability to watch the Lion King without thinking of dragons.

But yeah Jeremy Irons' voice anywhere is an awesome thing.

Morthoron · 04-13-2009, 07:36 PM

Tuor, you skipped my suggestion on TORn:

Pee-wee Herman.

That would throw everyone off.

Mnemosyne · 04-13-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Tuor, you skipped my suggestion on TORn:

Pee-wee Herman.

That would throw everyone off.

*brain asplodes*

Morthoron · 04-13-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mnemosyne

*brain asplodes*

*Casually wipes Mnemo's splattered gray matter off his shirt*

Ummm...sorry about that. I hope you didn't need that brain. I simply suggested Pee-wee Herman because most people are suggesting folks like Jeremy Irons, Ian McShane, Sean Connery, Tim Curry, John Hurt, Geoffrey Rush, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart and the like to voice Smaug, and these individuals, fine actors one and all, have each done very recognizable voice-overs for notable cartoon/CGI characters.

Personally, I would prefer an unrecognizable, ominous voice for Smaug, rather than watching the movie and saying, "Hey, that's [fill in the blank] doing Smaug's voice!" The cameo superstar voice/appearance in movies has been so overdone that it is past cliche. Besides, the voice of a many-ton talking dragon would be distorted, loud and would reverberate about the cavern. Such large vocal chords amplified in such a vast hall would be more of a rumbling growl at its quietest and a bellow of a herd of hefalumps at its loudest.

Kent2010 · 04-13-2009, 08:44 PM

Djimon Honsou would be interesting, but I would like to see Derek Jacobi considered.

William Cloud Hicklin · 04-13-2009, 09:12 PM

Jacobi's voice is just a little light. But at the same time the deep, booming Darth Vader thing is a pitfall to be avoided. Smaug should be an *aristocrat*- a sneering, cynical, supercilious villain, which is why Irons comes to mind (think of his von Bulow). Alan Rickman maybe. Tom Wilkinson might be good (he's a voice chameleon). But I'm leaning toward Jason Isaacs (who hasn't as distinctive a voice as Rickman and wouldn't carry as much Harry Potter baggage).

Gwathagor · 04-13-2009, 10:08 PM

I like the idea of Irons voicing Smaug because of the gravelly quality of his voice. Someone who breathes fire is likely to be a bit rough-throated.

Durelin · 04-13-2009, 10:18 PM

If only Orson Welles were somehow still alive.

I love Alan Rickman but I know I'd just be cracking up. Isaacs is too sniveling in the Potter movies at least...I don't remember him well enough from other roles to really comment though.

Liam Neeson can't because he's the Jesus-Lion.

Sean Connery already got to be dragon.

Patrick Stewart...yeah, I'd also be cracking up. I love his voice (who doesn't?) but...

As long as Jeremy Irons can be less of a fruitcake than he was as Scar...no, still, not feeling it. Too weak.

Christopher Lee would be a safe choice, but regardless might not agree to it anyway.

That is such a horrible list from ToRN, though...no offense. Seems mostly like a joke list...I mean, Morgan Freeman? Hmm...actually I bet Mark Hamill could pull off a pretty good Smaug voice, haha.

So, a couple more hilarious Smaug ideas:

Peter Ustinov. O.m.g. So terribly terribly hilarious (though also dead

).

Also, CaptainofDespair just suggested they just get Christian Bale to do his *Batman voice*...much lolz.

04-13-2009, 07:36 PM	#2
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,515	Tuor, you skipped my suggestion on TORn: Pee-wee Herman. That would throw everyone off. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.

04-13-2009, 08:44 PM	#5
Kent2010 Wight Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 240	Djimon Honsou would be interesting, but I would like to see Derek Jacobi considered. __________________ an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind

04-13-2009, 09:12 PM	#6
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,330	Jacobi's voice is just a little light. But at the same time the deep, booming Darth Vader thing is a pitfall to be avoided. Smaug should be an aristocrat- a sneering, cynical, supercilious villain, which is why Irons comes to mind (think of his von Bulow). Alan Rickman maybe. Tom Wilkinson might be good (he's a voice chameleon). But I'm leaning toward Jason Isaacs (who hasn't as distinctive a voice as Rickman and wouldn't carry as much Harry Potter baggage). __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

04-13-2009, 10:08 PM	#7
Gwathagor Shade with a Blade Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A Rainy Night In Soho Posts: 2,512	I like the idea of Irons voicing Smaug because of the gravelly quality of his voice. Someone who breathes fire is likely to be a bit rough-throated. __________________ Stories and songs.

04-13-2009, 10:18 PM	#8
Durelin Estelo dagnir, Melo ring Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,063	If only Orson Welles were somehow still alive. I love Alan Rickman but I know I'd just be cracking up. Isaacs is too sniveling in the Potter movies at least...I don't remember him well enough from other roles to really comment though. Liam Neeson can't because he's the Jesus-Lion. Sean Connery already got to be dragon. Patrick Stewart...yeah, I'd also be cracking up. I love his voice (who doesn't?) but... As long as Jeremy Irons can be less of a fruitcake than he was as Scar...no, still, not feeling it. Too weak. Christopher Lee would be a safe choice, but regardless might not agree to it anyway. That is such a horrible list from ToRN, though...no offense. Seems mostly like a joke list...I mean, Morgan Freeman? Hmm...actually I bet Mark Hamill could pull off a pretty good Smaug voice, haha. So, a couple more hilarious Smaug ideas: Peter Ustinov. O.m.g. So terribly terribly hilarious (though also dead ). Also, CaptainofDespair just suggested they just get Christian Bale to do his Batman voice...much lolz. Last edited by Durelin; 04-13-2009 at 10:28 PM.