Uncle Andrew

[Ithilwen]

Now that we know MN will be next, we have to consider who should play Digory's uncle Andrew Ketterly.

Back when I first read MN in 2005, I always pictured Uncle Andrew looking like Austin Pendleton.

Thoughts/Opinions?


~Riella

[DamselJillPole]

Your actor choice looks really good Ithil! I always imagined Andrew as close to his mid thirties because I remember something about his hair color returning to blonde after he was done with magic and I always thought he was a bit younger if his hair color would change back, idk.

[Ithilwen]

I remember hearing what his age was once... I can't quite remember where... I think it was either in the book itself or here on NW in the Character Profiles. I think it was... 65 or something?

Plus, whenever he was shaken, or when Digory suggested he go to another world himself, he would always start talking about how it wouldn't be right at "his time of life". So even if the 65 number should turn out to be incorrect, we know he wasn't exactly young.

EDIT: It was 60. And it's in Character Profiles -- http://wiki.narniaweb.com/index.php/Uncle_Andrew
I wonder where they got the age? Does it say it somewhere in the book?

Anyone have any other casting suggestions? Or comments/thoughts?


~Riella

[fantasia]

The popular suggestion for Uncle Andrew on NarniaWeb over the years has been Bill Nighy.

However, I would love to see Steve Coogan in this role. I mean check out this picture here of him in Percy Jackson. Costume aside, does that not just scream Uncle Andrew?

ETA: Ithilwen, I know I've seen that age listed somewhere before (we don't usually add specific ages without a specific source) but at the moment I'm not finding it. What I was able to find is that he's quite often described as an old man. And also this... "[Uncle Andrew] was tall and thin. He had a long clean-shaven face with a sharply-pointed nose and extremely bright eyes and a great tousled mop of gray hair."

[ChristProclamer]

I think he should be older, sort of late middle ages. Definitely an actor who can pull of a pompous demeanor, but be dangerous, too. Let's face it, in the beginning, Andrew is downright creepy. At least, I know he scared me, and I'd like to see some of that tension on screen. It's the idea of him being sort of a little crazy that makes him so scary at first.

So an actor who can do crazy-scary, and then sort of let it melt off so you realise he's just a pompous drunken fool.

I'd suggest Kenneth Branagh, but I'm not sure he can be 'scary' enough.

[fantasia]

I wonder where they got the age? Does it say it somewhere in the book?

Credit goes to wisewoman for finding it cause I sure couldn't.
MN, Chapter nine:

"And then as regards oneself," Uncle Andrew continued, in a happy dream. "There's no knowing how long I might live if I settled here. And that's a big consideration when a fellow has turned sixty. I shouldn't be surprised if I never grew a day older in this country! Stupendous! The land of youth!"

[Lucy85]

Riella, I like your suggestion. That actor was on one of my favorite episodes of the tv show "Frasier." Anyway, back to the topic: I also think Bill Nighy would be an excellent choice. Uncle Andrew is very creepy at the beginning-gave me the heebie jeebies when I re-read MN recently. I like Kenneth Branagh too, but as Christproclaimer said, I'm not sure that he would be creepy enough. Hmmm, very interesting question!

[puddleglum32]

I think Johny Depp would make a good uncle andrew because he is such an oddball and he can be creepy when he wants to.

[DamselJillPole]

He's 60? I wonder how his hair went back to blond? Or maybe i read it wrong. i was going to reread Silver Chair once I heard it would be greenlit but since Magician's Nephew is I'll go and reread that.

[Lucy85]

Interesting suggestion Puddleglum. As a Johnny Depp fan, I can say that he can definitely turn up the creepy factor when he needs to. I'm just not sure if he's old enough:)

[Shy Galadriel]

Ok, first off, NOT Steve Coogan. I like his portrayal of Hades in Percy Jackson, and I laugh my head off with Around the World in 80 Days; but he IS NOT an Uncle Andrew type. He's much too young and goofy. Also, please no Johnny Depp... I'm really bored by Johnny now, he plays every single role with the same zaniness and it's just old now. I think I'm anti-Depp because if there's a grown male role he will be suggested for it, no matter what the role is.
Kenneth Branagh is my favorite for the title, even though his facial structure is not what I always imagined Uncle Andrew to be. I think that they could give him a different nose if necessary... but it's his voice and his incredible acting I love the most. I mean, he's played serious (Hamlet), he's played goofy (Harry Potter, Much Ado About Nothing), and he's read the Magician's Nephew aloud!
I looked up Austin Pendleton to see if I'd seen him in anything, I don't remember a "Gurgle" from finding Nemo so I can't place him. Somebody suggested Martin Short on the news article, I don't know about acting, but he looks really good for the part.
Anyhow, my main drive would be for acting and voice, let the looks follow. Maybe they'd hire somebody younger and he acts so well that he re-defines our perspective of Uncle Andrew! I mean, Tilda Swindon re-defined Jadis for a lot of us.
I think for any actor they're gonna have makeup. Wig, maybe nose, wrinkles perhaps; so let them pick the best and then fit his face to the part!

[perfect_jill_pole]

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000120/

[Shy Galadriel]

O_O

Carrey? He's not even British! Oh but he could do a British accent any day...
Oh my. What fun. Oh but wait, he'd cost too much. He'd probably cost the movie more than all the rest of the cast combined! Oh well. Good thought though

[DamselJillPole]

Who cares if Jim isn't British, and i don't mean that in an offending way. but he's the best interpreter I've ever seen and one of my top favorite actors. Ever since Ace Ventura he's been pulling off different accents and dialects and his recent film A Christmas Carol he spoke a fantastic British accent. I think Carrey could pull it off and would bring in more money at the box office.

[Ithilwen]

I looked up Austin Pendleton to see if I'd seen him in anything, I don't remember a "Gurgle" from finding Nemo so I can't place him.

This is Gurgle --



Austin Pendleton is also in Christmas With the Kranks, Guarding Tess (which is THE BEST example of how he would play Uncle Andrew), and an episode of the Cosby Show.

I like the Martin Short suggestion. Jim Carrey would be an... interesting choice. Not sure if I like that idea or not. Maybe. I doubt they'd be able to get him though.


~Riella

[puddleglum32]

The problem with Jim Carrey is hes not serious, and puddleglum takes life serious. Definetly not Jim.