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So I'm pleased to hear that, following the success of Hogfather last Christmas, Sky have begun production of Terry Pratchett's first Discworld novel, the Colour of Magic. Christopher Lee has been cast to provide the voice of Death, reprising the role he played in the animated versions of Wyrd Sisters and Soul Music, and taking over from Ian Richardson who voiced the character rather superbly in Hogfather before his death in February. Tim Curry and Sean Astin have also been cast in other as yet unknown roles, but perhaps the most worrying casting decision is David Jason, who has been brought in to play the principle character, Rincewind.
Oh dear.
Now before I go on, I'd like to stress that I like David Jason. I think he's a fantastic actor, he's brilliant in every single thing he's ever been in. Be it Only Fools and Horses or A Touch of Frost or even Count Duckula, the man is a fantastic actor. He was knighted in 2005 and quite rightly so, in my opinion. He played Albert, Death's Manservant, brilliantly in Hogfather despite my concerns that he didn't look the part, and I have no doubt he'd be just as good in The Colour of Magic.
The problem is, and I mean this in an entirely unoffensive way, that he's simply too old and too... bulky (not to say fat, because he isn't particularly chunky in my opinion) for the role. Rincewind is much younger in The Colour of Magic, and he's described as a fairly tall, gangly character. He's tall and thin and he's a young student and David Jason isn't really suited to that sort of role. He'd perhaps be better off playing Archchancellor Galder Weatherwax, being honest.
Still, it's not being broadcast until next year, and seeing as I found this information out via Digital Spy, there's every chance it may be inaccurate. I'd love for Sky to continue producing the Discworld books as miniseries... actually, that's a lie. I'd love for anyone else to do it, because Sky is owned by Fox and I am not a huge fan of Fox. But yes, I want to see The Colour of Magic. I guess we'll have to wait to see just how it turns out.
Oh dear.
Now before I go on, I'd like to stress that I like David Jason. I think he's a fantastic actor, he's brilliant in every single thing he's ever been in. Be it Only Fools and Horses or A Touch of Frost or even Count Duckula, the man is a fantastic actor. He was knighted in 2005 and quite rightly so, in my opinion. He played Albert, Death's Manservant, brilliantly in Hogfather despite my concerns that he didn't look the part, and I have no doubt he'd be just as good in The Colour of Magic.
The problem is, and I mean this in an entirely unoffensive way, that he's simply too old and too... bulky (not to say fat, because he isn't particularly chunky in my opinion) for the role. Rincewind is much younger in The Colour of Magic, and he's described as a fairly tall, gangly character. He's tall and thin and he's a young student and David Jason isn't really suited to that sort of role. He'd perhaps be better off playing Archchancellor Galder Weatherwax, being honest.
Still, it's not being broadcast until next year, and seeing as I found this information out via Digital Spy, there's every chance it may be inaccurate. I'd love for Sky to continue producing the Discworld books as miniseries... actually, that's a lie. I'd love for anyone else to do it, because Sky is owned by Fox and I am not a huge fan of Fox. But yes, I want to see The Colour of Magic. I guess we'll have to wait to see just how it turns out.
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