If the BBC (or other party) was to remake "Tinker, Tailor, ..", perhaps make "The Honourable Schoolboy" and remake "Smiley's People" again. Who do you think would be best to play George Smiley?
People who've read the books might have a better idea. But I'm keen to hear people's ideas.
Probably Brad Pitt, or Colin Farrell. (Shudders.)
sharedavid kelly.
shareDavid Suchet would be in the running. Brian Cox also comes to mind.
There could be some runners from the USA, John Malkovitch for instance.
Some UK posters may have seen "Stella Street". Those who have will know that John Sessions does a wicked and very accurate Guiness-doing-George-Smiley.
Failing that, Ciarin Hinds was great in "Munich" and I reckon he would do George justice.
I've been in the group for years and I know, he always listens.share
Yes Ciarin Hinds
<~~I caught a falling star - it cut my hands to pieces~~>
I would like to see George Cole have a go or possibly David Jason.
shareSimon Russell Beale.
It's the part he was born for.
What about Johnny Depp? I'm just thinking about his character in The Ninth Gate and that he's matured somewhat from that time. He also seems to be an actor that can rise to and add individuality to any part, a fitting tribute to Alec Guinness.
shareIf yr going to bring up Johnny Depp, why hasn't anyone mentioned Ewan MacGregor? There is a precedent.
Seriously though, Kate Winslet. She's great. She can do anything.
Otherwise Jim Broadbent will do in a pinch.
[deleted]
Fun question. He'd have to be world-weary, bitter and impassive, but indispensable for the job. Sounds like Anthony Hopkins, Brian Cox or Ciarán Hinds.
Loved to have seen these guys do Smiley:
Michael Redgrave
Cyril Cusack (Played Control in The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.)
Olivier
IF IT WAS MADE IN HOLLYWOOD ---- CANDIDATES --OR SUSPECTS --JOHN TRAVOLTA, LEONARDO DECAPITATOR, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, OR WILL SMITH OR OTHER RAPPER, CHEECH MARIN OR TOMMY CHONG ARE ALWAYS POSSIBILITIES ............
shareIf it were the BBC, then Patrick Stewart would make a pretty good fist of it. He can easily do gravitas and minimal contemplativeness.
ITV would give it to Ant with Dec dragging up to play Anne. (Everyone's love to Anne.)
God forbid it could be made by Channel 4: Russell Brand with Davina McColl as Anne and a 'phone-in vote to decide who the mole is. "OO is the moale, yoo decahd". Ugh!
Of course if it were Fox, it would be Kiefer Sutherland split screening all over the place to the tune of. Dink, Dink, Dink, Dink.
All this is academic fun, of course, as this is one sublime series which really
doesn't need remaking.
When something is perfect just as it is, like Guinness' portrayal of Smiley, there is scarcely any need to consider remaking it (it's rather like asking who else should play "Rick" in Casablanca?!). But as an intellectual exercise, I agree, it's fun to think about. Someone interesting to consider: Michael Kitchen. Think of him in Foyle's War: complicated, quiet, introverted, with deep sadness just below the surface. He has the capacity to show strong but suppressed emotion in his face which is at the heart of the Smiley character. He'd need to be aged some, pack on some pounds and be dressed in the "frumpy" style of Smiley but I think he'd do a smashing job.
shareGreat suggestion, Michael Kitchen is most suitable. We can forget that Smiley is fat in the book. When reading the Bourne Supremacy I did not picture a lithe muscly Matt Damon, that's for sure.
Ian Holm is the right age and I've never seen Game Set & Match, alas.
Brian Cox does not to me to be suitable. Perhaps he's not understated enough - fine actor though.
I would also suggest Michael Gambon though perhaps the role would be rather too understated for him as well.
A toughie. Let's pray the Beeb doesn't friartuck it all up if they do The Honourable Schoolboy or indeed any other 'Smiley' novel... I really hope they do not remake TTSP nor Smiley's People - it would discredit Guinness' and Ian Richardson's work.
Bu..bu..but Patrick Stewart is Smileys nemesis (Karla)in the original series. It would be sacriledge to then play as Smiley....
ppaulh