Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Tom Hiddleston & Benedict Cumberbatch as Uni flatmates.
I need this fanfic. RIGHT. NOW.
(Source: shercockled, via thetaoofzoe)
Since many people are going to have their first viewings of Frankenstein in June, I guess there might be some useful info to share before people watch the play/screenings.
The National Theatre has a platform on iTunes U, on which you can find the production Frankenstein on the right-hand sidebar, and subscribe it; it’s free. I would highly recommend the Q&A with Danny Boyle and Nick Dear, which is a 40-min insightful (guarantee it’s not boring at all) discussion re the play, and the pamphlet (PDF), which includes the synopsis of the play, Mary Shelley’s writing, rehearsal diary, Danny Boyle’s interview, Nick Dear’s interview and Costume Design Suttirat Anne Larlarb’s interview. The Q&A was held before the audience saw the play, so no spoilers. Besides, as the story was written almost about two hundred years ago, and there are reviews, reports, trailers, clips and gifs all over the internet since last February, I personally don’t consider anything is too spoilery, but if you don’t want to be exposed by any details of the play before actually seeing it, here is the BIG SPOILER ALERT!
Two interviews re casting worth reading:
Benedict and Danny Boyle’s interview with Metro published a few days before their first press night last Feb. (Benedict had a cold then):
“Cumberbatch, an actor of rare emotional intelligence on stage, and cerebral and charming in the flesh, is quick to bat away any audience preconceptions about how he and Miller might approach both roles. ‘I hate this distinction of me being some f***ing academic who has just managed to escape the allure of some postgraduate course, and Miller as this mad f***ing wild child with dyed hair from Trainspotting,’ he spits.
Boyle, for his part, draws no distinction at all. ‘I just wanted two stonking actors with the arrogance to feel no fear,’ he laughs.”
Danny Boyle’s interview with The Times:
“Casting Victor and the Creature was always going to be a gamble. But Benedict [Cumberbatch] and Jonny [Lee Miller] just feel right, in the same way that Hugh Grant just wouldn’t feel right. You literally can’t cast it with four combinations in mind, so you have to go for quality. You have to back their ability as lead actors. They have to have the ambition and talent to command the stage, particularly as it’s the Olivier Theatre. It’s a challenging stage, a huge, huge space and it can swallow up actors very easily.”
Nick Dear’s script can be purchased here: Amazon UK/ Amazon US
Underworld’s Frankenstein OST can be purchased here: underworldlive.com or iTunes UK /iTunes US
Transcript (by Cumberbatchweb) of the special late night Q&A with Benedict, Jonny and Danny Boyle for Dramatic Need: this is where I’ll give a HUGE SPOILER ALERT and definitely suggest reading it after seeing the play.
And, finally, here is the Frankenstein Rehearsal Diary from the pamphlet downloaded on iTunes U; I believe a lot of people who saw the play last year didn’t notice this diary, and for me, this is the most interesting info as we can have some insight on how the cast and crew developed the play:
(AGAIN SPOILER ALERT)
Day One
Danny and I met at the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee School. Nick has been writing his version of Frankenstein for nearly fifteen years – I have heard a rumour he is on draft number 147! Actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller will alternate the roles of The Creature and Victor Frankenstein.
Over the years, he and Danny began to see aspects of the Creature’s character and situation as relating to autism.
Danny is keen for Benedict and Jonny to be able to meet children with autism and aspergers as part of their rehearsal process, so we went to the school to see whether this would be possible. The school was a wonderful place, and we met some of the students and teachers. Then back to the rehearsal room to meet up with Underworld, who will be composing the music for the production.
Rehearsal room one is big with a high ceiling, and its own revolve to imitate the space of the Olivier Theatre.
Danny suggests to Underworld the idea of a train representing Ingolstadt and the Industrial Revolution, to run down the central tracks from the Upstage doors and shoot out into the audience. Danny’s idea is that rather than taking the Creature outside onto the street, we bring the town to him. The train can have both live and recorded sound and be a powerful presence physically. We meet with Toby Sedgwick, the Director of Movement.
He is keen to begin work with Jonny and Benedict by exploring neutral mask. The Creature is an innocent. He is like an adult baby, with no sense of who he is or the world around him, and he must discover everything. Being able to start from a position of neutrality is a useful tool for this.
I join Alastair Coomer (Deputy Head of Casting) to meet some actors for parts which are yet to be cast, and for understudy roles.
Danny is keen to start immersing the actors in other elements of production as early as possible and we do a make-up test for the Creature. There is discussion about the pattern and size of the scarring but it is apparent that the concept for the Creature make-up is a work of art.
Reblogging for @tnsears. Gotta get our research in before our viewing!
(via fucckery)
- we want independence they say
- yay we got independence they say
- yay independence day they say
- what is eurovision they say
- nothing that concerns you we say
I personally prefer to be called “Colonist”.
(via callusyourbitches)
Watch this space…
Come cuddle with me and let me tell you about my list.
It’s a list of the 75 actors in the UK.
They will not be ranked. They will not be rated. They will most likely be listed alphabetically. But there will be 75 and they will all be born in the United Kingdom.
My friend Teri and I sat down and made a loose list of those Brits that we could think of that we’ve seen in EVERY film EVER. BUT… we had to take into account that we’re Americans. And as a result, we had to limit the list to those actors who’ve been in at least FIVE films that actually made it over here to the US.
We also had to eliminate those actors who’ve done more television work than film work. And voice-over work doesn’t count either.
To satisfy our fangirl desires, we have also decided to include a separate listing of all the up-and-coming actors in Britain. For instance, Benedict Cumberbatch actually doesn’t count. His work in Star Trek 2 will put him past the 5 movie limit for US-released films, but at the time that the list is made, it hasn’t come out yet! And you best believe that that little fact broke our hearts!
So… taking into account all those actors that have graced the big screen here in the US and not counting voice-acting roles, I will compile a somewhat comprehensive list of the 75 actors in the UK.
After all, there are only 75 allowed to exist at any one time. It’s the law.
STAY TUNED…
Yeah.
I’m thinking that this shot is the biggest Reichenbach clue we could have gotten.
Make of it what you will, fandom.
(via hiddlestonerr)
Goddammit, Benedict! Do you have to look like a supermodel in EVERY photograph?!
STOP.
(via thetaoofzoe)
GingerBatch!
This is just my favorite version of Ben.
Ginger curls with those EYES…
HNNNGGGGGG….
COME
TO
MAMA
(Source: theprivatelifeofsherlockholmes, via gabriellacumberbatch)
When Star Trek 2 comes out, I’m gonna need more Scotty. The first film didn’t have enough of him and Simon Pegg (@simonpegg) is my spirit animal.
Oh and half-nekkid Ben (or all-nekkid Ben) would be awesome too.
Just sayin’.
GUYS BENEDICT SAID WORDS ON DANCING WITH THE STARS
DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I WANT HIM TO BE ON THIS SHOW
SO MUCH
SO
SO
SO
SO
SOSO MUCH
I would actually watch that show if he were on it. And I hate that show.
This paradox may mean the end of the universe, but I’m willing to risk it.
(via air64000)
What?
Are you kidding?
Is that Hiddles AND Batch leaving a restaurant?
UGH… STOP.
(Source: sheisdelirium, via lovebenedictcumberbatch)
