Once Upon A Time General Discussion/News/Speculation (spoilers possible)

[Morgania]

So.. Who do we want for Merlin?

Sir Ian McKellen? But he might be too expensive. Cliff Simon, because that would amuse me greatly. Or maybe Paul McGillion.

[Princess Awinita]

The casting call for Merlin is describing him as "an african-american with a british accent and longish hair" Personally I want either Sir Ian McKellen or Jake Gyllenhall myself

[hedwig]

The casting call for Merlin is describing him as "an african-american with a british accent and longish hair" Personally I want either Sir Ian McKellen or Jake Gyllenhall myself

How about Sam Neill (of the Jurassic Park movies)? He played Merlin in a TV movie a number of years ago.

[garhkal]

The casting call for Merlin is describing him as "an african-american with a british accent and longish hair" Personally I want either Sir Ian McKellen or Jake Gyllenhall myself

?? Why the heck are they going for an African American to play merlin?? That would be akin imo to getting a Pacific islander to play King Arthur, or an Asian lass to play Lady Guenevere.

[Princess Awinita]

How about Sam Neill (of the Jurassic Park movies)? He played Merlin in a TV movie a number of years ago.

Now there's a good actor, I liked that movie! Plus it makes sense!

[jelgate]

Most of the fairy tale characters we grew up with are white. That's not an accurate portrayal of the world we live in. So it really doesn't bother me from a story perspective to have a minority play Merlin.

[dragongirl]

I can see that I am a little surprised by that too but if that is what they want...

[garhkal]

Most of the fairy tale characters we grew up with are white. That's not an accurate portrayal of the world we live in. So it really doesn't bother me from a story perspective to have a minority play Merlin.

But when all the history for that character shows him as a white englishman, it imo does not make any sense to have him played by a black. Just like if say i was going to make a tv show about camelot, i wouldn't cast a pacific islander female to play Lancelot.

[hedwig]

But when all the history for that character shows him as a white englishman, it imo does not make any sense to have him played by a black. Just like if say i was going to make a tv show about camelot, i wouldn't cast a pacific islander female to play Lancelot.

Lancelot was portrayed by a black man. So was Poseidon. So, I guess, why not Merlin?

[jelgate]

But when all the history for that character shows him as a white englishman, it imo does not make any sense to have him played by a black. Just like if say i was going to make a tv show about camelot, i wouldn't cast a pacific islander female to play Lancelot.

I'm okay with pacific islander. Female is just you being silly.

[Morgania]

Hmmm... Michael Dorn? Avery Brooks? Chris Judge?

[rushy]

I'd love to see Terry O'Quinn portray Merlin. I mean, they've probably already picked out an actor(remember, we saw Merlin in that cauldron thing), but if I had to choose any actor, I'd go with O'Quinn. I loved him the most in Lost and the idea of him and Carlyle(who is basically the John Locke of the OUAT universe anyway) facing off is too awesome.

[hedwig]

Morgan Freeman or Samuel L. Jackson - if they could afford either of them.

[Princess Awinita]

Morgan Freeman or Samuel L. Jackson - if they could afford either of them.

So let me get this right, the voice of God himself playing Merlin.......

I can see that happening

[garhkal]

I'm okay with pacific islander. Female is just you being silly.

I am not though. Butchering a character by making him another ethnicity, just to (IMO) appease people (which is what this smacks as to my perception) is something i have come to hate. Its why a lot of modern TV comedies i don't watch, cause they all seem to need to have that one gay or transgendered person, to hit a specific 'demographic wicket'.