>From the AICN. Enjoy1
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY started filming on the 19th and
Producer Garth Jennings talks about casting choices.
Father Geek here... THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY started its
principle photography yesterday in England at Elstree Studios. The
MAGRATHEA site has posted a great interview by M. J. Simpson of
Producer Garth Jennings and Director Nick Goldsmith in honor of the
start of shooting. I've selected a few of his questions to Garth about
casting choices to post here. If this sparks your interest make sure to
check out the entire interview (much more detailed) over at MAGRATHEA .
Now here's a sample to get you started...
MJ: Can we start off by discussing the cast members who have so far
been officially confirmed? Why did you pick Martin Freeman for the role
of Arthur?
Garth: ÒArthur Dent had to be Martin really. Martin screen-tested for
the role many months ago now. Robbie saw the tape along with us and it
was the kind of tape you hope youÕre going to have but very rarely do,
when someone just comes in and nails it.Ó
ÒHe has just been extraordinary. He has reinvented it so itÕs still
Arthur but itÕs a very new, fresh take on it. As youÕve seen in The
Office, he can make even the most preposterous situations real and have
real heart. HeÕs just so natural and wonderful. To see Martin
struggling with hitchhiking through the universe is going to be the
most lovely thing to watch.Ó
MJ: What about the unusual choice of Mos Def as Ford?
Garth: ÒWell, you canÕt get more of a contrast than between Martin
Freeman and Mos Def. HeÕs just marvellous, a fabulous bloke. You wait
till you meet him, youÕll love him. HeÕs perfect for Ford. We didnÕt
know much about Mos before we went to meet him; since meeting him and
investigating everything heÕs done, it was almost no question Ð it had
to be him.Ó
MJ: Can you just allay the fears of some people that, although Mos Def
is a rap artist, he wonÕt be playing a hip-hop Ford?
Garth: ÒNo, I think that would be the most appalling thing ever in the
history of the world. To be fair, I didnÕt know much about Mos Def
before I met him and didnÕt think that he was going to be right. But
thatÕs why I say, when you meet him, heÕs the most wonderful actor
first and foremost but heÕs also incredibly funny, incredibly clever.
He just fits the brief in a most unexpected way really.Ó
MJ: And Zooey Deschanel will be Trillian. Why did you pick her?
Garth: ÒTrillianÕs one of those characters that needed a bit more going
on. She was a character that needed much development and thatÕs
something that Douglas was working quite hard on. Zooey again just
fitted the bill as far as being somebody who can be both smart and
funny but not irritating. ItÕs very hard to have somebody whoÕs very
clever and knows lots of things and not have them get under your skin.
We found somebody who also works very well with Arthur, to really give
Arthur a run for his money Ð and everyone else. She can hold her own.
The last thing we wanted was the token female, and Zooey more than
fitted the bill. I could go on about her for ages because sheÕs
absolutely fabulous and she is extraordinary in real life as well. If
we just get a bit of what sheÕs like in real life, I think weÕll be
there.Ó
MJ: I know a lot of people feel Sam Rockwell is a great choice for
Zaphod.
Garth: ÒSam is an extraordinary fella. HeÕs the only man I know who can
go from a high karate kick, straight into the splits without pulling a
muscle and still look cool! He really took to Zaphod like a duck to
water and his determination to Ôget it rightÕ is more than I could hope
for. I would imagine itÕs a bad idea to let him have an espresso before
work unless we have a re-enforced set but other than that I think heÕs
going to be excellent.Ó
MJ: Bill Nighy as Slartibartfast was the first casting we heard about
but the last of the main roles to be confirmed Ð why was that?
Garth: ÒNick and I received the script for the film just after watching
the BBCÕs State of Play in which Bill Nighy was fantastic. BillÕs just
perfect for Slartibartfast and we never bothered even considering
anyone else. I wrote to him on several occasions to ask him to play
Slarti but didnÕt hear anything back for a while because he was so
busy. The next thing I knew, he was in the papers talking about how
much he loved the script and how excited he was to be offered the part.
His enthusiasm and understanding of HitchhikerÕs is priceless. You
canÕt ask for more than that.Ó
Father Geek back again... Well, there's a little abridged taste of the
interview... If your interest is fired up hop on over to MAGRATHEA
right now and dig into the more detailed edition of Simpson's full
interview. Annnnnnd to see our earliest archived story on this long
wished-for flick check out our August 22nd, 1998 (my sister's birthday)
column... and if your still interested in more on the subject see my
Obit of Douglas Adams from May 12, 2001.
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