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(crop from Amok's portrait)
Just for the visual: My fugly Blackfish art on DeviantArt
(crop from Amok's portrait)
Just for the visual: My fugly Blackfish art on DeviantArt
BRYNDEN "THE BLACKFISH" TULLY
From ASOIAF: 55-60 yrs old, a warrior, tall and slim, very fit and strong, blue eyes, shaggy grey hair (once red), no beard. Smiles and laughs easily, but can be very fierce and stubborn, maybe moody.
I know we can't have Jeff Bridges or probably any of the others. But since it seems that the casting department is not oblivious to fan suggestions, here is mine: Dear HBO, I think an actor who looked like one of the gentlemen below, or a mix of them, would be a nice choice for the Blackfish. Thank you.
UPDATE: THE MYSTERY KNIGHT
GRRM has confirmed that the Blackfish will be moved to Season 2. While commenting the news on WiC we came up with an idea: Have the Blackfish in Season 1 as an extra in a black armour, with a black fish as the crest of his helmet, but never show his face. Then he would be revealed in Season 2, maybe as a recognizable face. How about it, HBO?
(Disclaimer: All pics from IMDB if not specified otherwise. I don't intend to infringe on any copyright.)
- Anthony Andrews (1948). Suggested on WiC. Old flame since he was the Scarlet Pimpernel. Not really how I picture Brynden, but he's a class act and my favourite of this batch. And a redhead.
- Jeremy Irons (1948). He's Jeremy Irons, for goodness' sake, he can't get it wrong. Alas, this makes him very busy.
- Peter Mullan (1959) (pic from www.lahiguera.net). Suggested on the Westeros forums. I noticed him as Odoacer in "The Last Legion"; blew me away in "HP and the Deathly Hallows". He's only 5'8" (1,73) but that's no problem. I put toghether a collection of pics. Just repeat after me: Odoacer was no Goth.
- Gabriel Byrne (1950). Suggested on WiC. Irish, blue-eyed, charismatic.
- Billy Connolly (1942). Suggested on WiC. Loved him in "Mrs Smith", then lost sight of him. Scottish, picturesque, especially if he hasn't cut his hair.
- Daniel Day-Lewis (1957). Suggested on Westeros. Charismatic, a first-rate actor.
- Nigel Havers (1951) (pic from Mirror Celebs). Because I'm an idiot and only now I've thought to look him up. I loved him when he was young and I a kid. Now he's sixtyish, still handsome and very physical (he played Captain Hook on the stage). Almost perfect?
(Disclaimer: The Bridges pic is from Time.com. The others are from IMDB. I don't intend to infringe on any copyright.)
- Jeff Bridges (1949, USA). Not really feasible since he won the Academy Award, but almost perfect.
UPDATE: Another pic, even more Blackfishy (minus the cigarette)
UPDATE: It almost looks like the man is prepping up for the part. Bryn should be clean shaven, but this pic is stunning.
- Jeff Fahey (1952, USA). Thanks to anybody who suggested him on Westeros.org. They made me discover a great actor and my new favourite LOST character, pilot Frank J. Lapidus. Striking an average between affordability and general looks, I'd say Fahey is THE choice for Brynden Tully. Check out my Lapidus tribute gallery.
- Mark Harmon (1951, USA). Precisely the right age, and affordable. Perfect Tully eyes.
- Christoph Waltz (1956, Austria). The most oddball choice, suggested on WiC, and thus the most brilliant. He's good enough to make us forget Hans Landa. Only problem: grey beard or not, he looks 18, especially if he gives us a Tully smile.
- Dennis Quaid (1954, USA). Someone pointed out that this (last pic) is a portrait of Dennis Quaid, and though I don't see much of a resemblance, I say YEAH! But stop dyeing your hair, Dennis.
(UPDATE: it seems that in the movie In Good Company he's listened to me.)
- William Hurt (1950, USA). Check out the above pic from Ridley Scott's Robin Hood and you'll know he would not be miscast in a costumed part requiring intensity.
- Sam Elliott (1944, USA). He does not look like my Blackfish, he's not British, but he would be AWESOME. "Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, well, he eats you."
- Victor Reinier (1963, The Netherlands). Suggested on Westeros. Even younger than Waltz, older than me by just... Cons: young and handsome. Pros: young and handsome. Season 2 needs such men. Just add lines on his face. His smile is pure Tully.
THE UNFEASIBLE (only for the visual)
- Clint Eastwood twenty years ago. Need time machine.
- Harrison Ford. Right age. Over budget.
- Val Kilmer. The youngest and FATTEST of the group. He was terrific as Philip of Macedon, and in the same vein he'd be a terrific Blackfish - after he loses weight.