American Actors

[laurenmcoakley]

Julie-

I understand your point, which is what was making me have a little 
difficulty in my argument with my brother-in-law.  I'm not positive, 
but I thought I saw on one of the HP fansites that if you are ever 
interested in being in a HP film, and you aren't British, you 
shouldn't even bother, because you would not be considered based on 
that fact.  I think the general opinion is that a role should go to 
whomever is best suited for it.  Of course that means different 
things, like who can they afford, or if they have the right "look", 
or accent or whatever.  And of course that could mean that they want 
British actors (nothing wrong with that!)  BUT Maybe if that 
statement hadn't been made, my brother-in-law wouldn't believe that 
the franchise is Anti-American.

And side note to the argument...
And before I even brought up Chris Columbus being involved with the 
films, he merely said, "Well our money seems to be good enough 
though!" (in reference to the American producer).  And I wouldn't 
mention CC's daughter as well, because it could seem that she only 
got to be in it because her pop is putting up big dough, and yes, it 
wasn't even a speaking part.  I have had many arguments with my 
brother in law, on many subjects, and I just don't think this would 
help my cause out too much.  But that you all, for mentioning it!

Lauren


--- In HPFGU-Movie at yahoogroups.com, "juli17ptf" <juli17 at a...> wrote:
>SNIP
> Julie:
> Actually I have flown across the Atlantic, over half a dozen 
times.  From Los Angeles. That's about 11 1/2 hours to London 
direct. (New York is much easier, at a bit less than 7 hours.) I 
personally find it quite tedious, though if I could fly first class, 
as I'm sure most actors do, I'd probably find it more enjoyable! And 
there is that jet lag factor, true. So no, it's not just an easy 
hop, skip and jump. 
> 
> But the point I was making is that this wouldn't be a really major 
> issue against hiring an American actor. If said actor was deemed 
> perfect for the part (say Kathy Bates as Umbridge--just as an 
> example, not a statement on her suitability), then it could easily 
be worked around. Though agreed there might not be that many 
American actors who'd *want* to play a character who's in all seven 
movies (like Dumbledore) if it meant traveling back and forth so 
often over a ten? year period. 
> 
> OTOH, Johnny Depp lives in France. He did a credible J.M. Barrie. 
How about him as Bill Weasley, with his hair dyed red ;-)
> 
> Julie
> (still not advocating American actors in Harry Potter roles, only 
> noting that nationality shouldn't be the be-all and end-all of 
> casting any movie role. Or where would Hannibal Lector be--er, who 
> would be Hannibal Lector, that is!)
>