Azakban casting

[Sara]

Hello!

I'm new to this list too and I've been all inspired by seeing the new 
film (well on DVD) and waiting for the new book to return to all 
things Pottery... 

Reading past posts, I feel that I'm in a minority when I write that I 
feel  that Gary Oldman is an inspired choice for Sirius Black. It's 
funny how everyone has a different version of their fav character in 
mind when reading the book (one of the advantages of reading over 
watching a film, I guess) but although MY Sirius Black resembled a 
somewhat more emaciated Dougray Scott, I think that Oldman will be OK 
(at worst). The audience need to be utterly convinced (as young Harry 
and the rest of the wizarding community are), that Sirius is a bad, 
mad and very, very dangerous to know. A review of Oldmans's 
filmography (several posts back) does show that if anything, Oldman 
is quite adept at playing up the "mad" side of characters (his 
nastiest one I think, was the crook cop he played in "The 
Professional"). Whether he can tone down his overacting enough to 
make you want to give him a hug at the end of the film, is hopefully 
where the director comes in (and thankfully, it isn't Chris Columbus 
this time). Most importantly of all, he does remind me of a staggly 
black labrador ;)  The rest of the casting seems perfect - David 
Thewlis is thin, long and mournful (and can act a treat), one of my 
fav. actors of all time, Tim Spall is perfect as the slothful and 
none-too bright Scabbers/Peter Pettigrew. Dame Edna would be great as 
Rita Skeeter but I think that she's definately based on a the fairly 
obnoxious comedian, Ruby Wax. Post's too long so I won't elaborate 
further. I'll end by stating that I honestly don't have any shares in 
the film (and am not related to Mr Oldman) but and am really, really 
glad that the books precede the films (enabling me to bring to life 
the characters to my own liking)!

Sara - Elf Liberation League