Glen's Star Wars Prequels

[Glen]

I still need a good actor for Jar-Jar Binks. It has become increasingly obvious to me that he will need to be recast (or should I say 'cast' since this Jar-Jar really is different).

[Glen]

Originally Posted by Glen

I still need a good actor for Jar-Jar Binks. It has become increasingly obvious to me that he will need to be recast (or should I say 'cast' since this Jar-Jar really is different).

I have had a really odd idea for a alternate casting of Jar Jar Binks. I was thinking that I would retain Brian Blessed as Nass. I was also thinking that given the extra height that the prosthesis places on the actor playing Jar Jar Binks, that it would be better to cast a shorter actor so that jar jar Binks does not tower over the future Darth Vader. Also, given that I need an actor who can play it both tough, funny, and somewhat shady as my version of Jar Jar Binks. This made me think that I need a good actor who does a good British accent that can hold his own in Brian Blessed's presence plus can play the various shades of personality that I want to attribute to our Jar Jar Binks as well as being a physical actor and doing action. Oh and don't forget that I want him on the short side. When I put all this together it made me think of Tim Roth. What do you all think?

[ANARCHY_4_ALL]

Originally Posted by Glen

I have had a really odd idea for a alternate casting of Jar Jar Binks. I was thinking that I would retain Brian Blessed as Nass. I was also thinking that given the extra height that the prosthesis places on the actor playing Jar Jar Binks, that it would be better to cast a shorter actor so that jar jar Binks does not tower over the future Darth Vader. Also, given that I need an actor who can play it both tough, funny, and somewhat shady as my version of Jar Jar Binks. This made me think that I need a good actor who does a good British accent that can hold his own in Brian Blessed's presence plus can play the various shades of personality that I want to attribute to our Jar Jar Binks as well as being a physical actor and doing action. Oh and don't forget that I want him on the short side. When I put all this together it made me think of Tim Roth. What do you all think?

Actually since I read your first treatment. That's exactly who I imagined.

[Glen]

Originally Posted by ANARCHY_4_ALL

Actually since I read your first treatment. That's exactly who I imagined.

Really? That is interesting! Maybe I'm on to something with this, then. Thanks for the feedback, Anarchy!

[Glen]

Updated the script for Episode I, adding the consequences of Maul's displeasure and the end of our adventurers' trip to Otoh Gunga.

[ANARCHY_4_ALL]

Originally Posted by Glen

Really? That is interesting! Maybe I'm on to something with this, then. Thanks for the feedback, Anarchy!

I thought so too when you brought that up. It's mainly cause of the ammount of British actors you were using. So, I correlated that in some unconsicious way and made that choice. I watch a lot of Tarantino film's and your reasons for picking him are the same reason Tarantino does I believe. He is very versatile which makes him fit that sly persona. For instance his role in Reservoir Dogs as an undercover policeman.

[Glen]

Originally Posted by ANARCHY_4_ALL

I thought so too when you brought that up. It's mainly cause of the ammount of British actors you were using. So, I correlated that in some unconsicious way and made that choice. I watch a lot of Tarantino film's and your reasons for picking him are the same reason Tarantino does I believe. He is very versatile which makes him fit that sly persona. For instance his role in Reservoir Dogs as an undercover policeman.

Parallel thinking I reckon! For fun I think all the Naboo will have American accents.

[Glen]

Script updated in the OP. Showed the somewhat rocky greeting our plucky adventurers receive on their return to Otoh Gunga with Amidala in tow, and also what happens when a double cross causes a change in plans. It'll be a hot time in old Otoh Gunga tonight!

[Glen]

One of the things I have recently been pondering are who to have do the film editing for the prequels - one of the things that is sorely lacking in the prequels compared to the originals is good editing I believe.

And of course, there is also the question of who can handle some directing duties and maybe some other contribution to the scripts...

I have certain thoughts and ideas but would love to hear yours.

[Glen]

Did a little update on the script in the OP just laying the groundwork for the next stage of the adventure.

[Glen]

Expanded a bit on the escape from Otoh Gunga to make them have to fight their way out.

In related news, Tarpals really has taken on an expanded role in this version of things, so I need to cast someone good in the role.

[Glen]

Jar-Jar Binks Concept Art (including some more tongue-in-cheek ones by the design staff):

[Glen]

A partial, working cast list per request:

Anakin Skywalker: Heath Ledger
Qui-Gon Jinn: Liam Neeson
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Gary Oldman
Clone Masters (Nute Gunray, Rune Haako, etc.): Billy Dee Williams
Darth Maul: Benecio Del Toro
Jar-Jar Binks: Tim Roth
Governor Nass: Brian Blessed
Padme Amidala: Ashley Judd
Senator Palpatine: Ian McDiarmid
Mace Windu: Samuel L. Jackson

[William_Dellinger]

Tim Roth, IMHO, is a perfect cast for Jar Jar.

As far as appearance goes, the first thing would be getting rid of the eyes. Make them deeper set into a higher brow and make the mouth less like a duck's bill. More alligator-like in both cases. Skin color and texture is fine as is. Thicker limbs and body.

[Glen]

Originally Posted by William_Dellinger

Tim Roth, IMHO, is a perfect cast for Jar Jar.

Amazing response to Roth as Jar-Jar (you are the second person to see Roth as my Jar-Jar, well third if you count me).

Tim Roth it is.

As far as appearance goes, the first thing would be getting rid of the eyes. Make them deeper set into a higher brow and make the mouth less like a duck's bill. More alligator-like in both cases. Skin color and texture is fine as is. Thicker limbs and body.

I think for me, the biggest problem with the eyes is not their placement, but the fact that they are half hooded almost all the time when he is not outright frightened. I would get rid of the sleepy look for most of the film, though he may give the occasional hooded look (but it will look skeptical or 'cool and collected' rather than 'sleepy').

I also would not change the mouth as much - the problem wasn't it's basic shape but that stupid smirk on it most of the time! My Jar-Jar doesn't smile nearly as much, and when he does, it is not a stupid smile.

Oh, the biggest thing is the tongue - my Jar-Jar will not have his tongue lolling about!

[Glen]

And since I've started raiding the 'Brit Pack' anyway, I am thinking of having Paul McGann play the Gungan Captain Tarpals.

[Glen]

Originally Posted by Glen

A partial, working cast list per request:

Anakin Skywalker: Heath Ledger
Qui-Gon Jinn: Liam Neeson
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Gary Oldman
Clone Masters (Nute Gunray, Rune Haako, etc.): Billy Dee Williams
Darth Maul: Benecio Del Toro
Jar-Jar Binks: Tim Roth
Governor Nass: Brian Blessed
Padme Amidala: Ashley Judd
Senator Palpatine: Ian McDiarmid
Mace Windu: Samuel L. Jackson

Some more cast confirmations (but who won't show in the first prequel)

Count Dooku: Christopher Lee
Wilhuff Tarkin: Wayne Pygram

Wayne Pygram was a incredibly good choice for a young Tarkin, and then was unforgivably underutilized. That will be corrected in my prequels.

[Kome]

Originally Posted by Glen

Clone Masters (Nute Gunray, Rune Haako, etc.): Billy Dee Williams

You probably answered this already, but i gotta ask about the reasoning behind that? I mean Billy Dee Williams is awesome and all but...

Originally Posted by Glen

Wayne Pygram was a incredibly good choice for a young Tarkin, and then was unforgivably underutilized. That will be corrected in my prequels.

Sounds promising.

[Glen]

Originally Posted by Kome

You probably answered this already, but i gotta ask about the reasoning behind that? I mean Billy Dee Williams is awesome and all but...

The casting choice is pure fan service. There had been rumors for years that the character of Lando Calrissian was a clone, a left-over if you would from the Clone Wars. While the films will never confirm or deny the relation, it is clearly implied that Lando is a younger version of the Clone Master model of clone.

Besides, Billy Dee Williams is awesome and all!

Sounds promising.

Oh yes, yes indeed. I think anyone who has seen his portrayal of Scorpius in Farscape knows just how promising his casting should be!

[Glen]

And one casting teaser - Anthony Daniels will appear in the prequels at one point, but it won't be as C-3PO!