>> > >> While on one hand I'm loath to return to one of those "Who'd play who" >> e-mail discussions, and without yet seeing Pirates, I think I'd have to >> veto Depp as a choice for Vlad. > > <<snip>> > >> Instead he (Johnny Depp) always seems to play that unassuming >> character, good at what he does, but then thrust into something far >> beyond his means and far over his head. > > Ummm, maybe I'm missing something, but didn't you just describe Vlad > almsot > perfectly? "Unassuming", "good at what he does" and "thrust into > something > far beyond his means and far over his head"...aren't these ALL things > that > are associated with our lovable ex-Jhereg? The problem is that Depp's characters always appear to stumble and falter in ways that Vlad never does. When Vlad is thrust into such a situation he takes it in stride and seems to always have an effective plan or slick last second trick in hand. Depp gets into trouble and generally gets his but kicked for a while, ala Ninth Gate. In addition while Depp is unassuming, I've never felt he's dangerous like the feeling I think Vlad exudes. I can't see Depp effectively blustering his way through the palace intimidating the Jhereg heir, or even just acting in Vlad's his normal manner. A movie that I think the adapters of this conceptual film should keep in mind is "Payback" with Mel Gibson. If you haven't seen it, it is a movie done in a very noir style with Mel Gibson as antihero thief out to recover 70,000 in cash that was stolen from him. I'd almost suggest Mel Gibson as Vlad based solely on his performance in that movie but think he's too old. AkodoBob -who's probably not doing anyone any favors by continuing this thread.