Who Should Play Beorn in The Hobbit?

[Macalaure]

Can Craig Parker?

I'm being mean, I'm sorry. Seriously though, I don't think you need a Shakespeare-actor for Beorn. It's not like he's that complicated.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.