Question?

[ADreamAbove]

I've read quite a few articles referencing the strict casting of exclusively British actors, etc., but then they hired a Mexican director for PoA? And Chris Columbus was American. Is there some technicality I've overlooked? And, for that matter, why's everyone so revolted at the thought of casting Americans? Does everyone think we're horrible or what? (I wouldn't change the cast, and I'm certainly not complaining, and I don't want to open up a Great Debate of UK vs. US, I'm just trying to understand).

[pallas artemis]

I think a lot of the people that work behind the scenes are from different countries, but the actors are all British Irish or Scotish. The most I can figure its a matter of national pride (and maybe they don't want Americans with fake British accents)

[Won Wheezy]

Hogwarts is set in Great Britain, so for me it's perfectly understandable that they use british actors. But, to turn the question around, why does it bother you that there aren't any american actors in the films?

[pallas artemis]

Its not so much that as the fact that . . .
example- Viggo Mortensen would have been great as Sirius but they wouldn't even consider him because he's American

It just seems like HP is an awfully large project to restrict to two islands and not allow outside people in!

[Mint]

They said the Actors need to be british, not the film director or the crew. I am pretty sure that the British requirement was because of the accent. Actors are always made fun of for their fake accents.
Also, FLeur (sp?) is French actress - because she was suppose to come from France. (thus she will have a natural french accent )

[Alice I]

Well not to put a wrench in it or anything but some Americans can do an extreamly convincing Brittish accent.
I also think that Viggo would have been a perfect Sirius. (And his is taller than that fellow they used! )

[ADreamAbove]

<<why does it bother you that there aren't any american actors in the films>>

I never said it did; I could care less. I never even thought about Viggo as Sirius - how fantastic would that have been!

[pallas artemis]

It doesn't BOTHER me that they're not useing Americans, its just that I think they should exclude Americans or anyone. Whoever out there is best for the part should be offered the part regardless of nationality, that's all

[TDM]

lol. prolly why they never thought of Viggo was because he prolly never thought of them. some actors sometimes call up and say "Hey, would it be alright if I tried to audition for the part?" because everyone needs to audition anymore, i don't care what ppl say. however, in most cases, the movie ppl contact the actors. but, if i were ever to become an actor, i would go looking for parts.

BTW, on the accent thing, get this:

a woman that was native to florida, meaning she was born and raised there, (this was recent and true, BTW), got into an accident and was in a coma for about 6 months, i think. anyway, when she woke up, she had a full fledged British accent, even though she had never been there. so, yeah, accents are oftentimes weird.

[Bellatrix]

Wow! That is so cool! I never would have thought!

[Bellatrix]

I like how they didnt use any americans in the film. It makes perfect sense.

[Phinea Rogue]

I kind of like that too, because I prefer British actors to American ones. Their acting is somehow... I don't know, it just appeals to me more. Can you imagine someone else playing Snape? Or Hagrid? Anyway, where does Malkovitch come from?

[Asphodel]

Accents are a funny thing. Though one, on occasion, can be faked, the British look is probably important to.

[Asphodel]

Oh yeah, the guy who plays Prof. Flitwick is American.

[Arun]

You know, some of the characters on "Lord of the Rings" were American, but I thought they were British at first.