Why are fantasy world accents British?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Interesting article on the BBC site today:

Why are fantasy world accents British?

They bring up the example of Kevin Costner in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves to show how jarring an American accent can sound when supposedly in an 'English' setting. Though really, should it matter in a fantasy film or series? What do you think?

I think for film and stage adaptations of stories and books in general, sounding the part is every bit as important as acting it.

I know that in the movie Amadeus the American accents of the Emperor, and especially Tom Hulce's Mozart, mar for me what is otherwise an excellent film.