(Original post not updated anymore. Portrait by Amok, used with permission. All pics from IMDB if not specified otherwise. I don't intend to infringe on any copyright.)
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 cannot have Jeff Bridges, maybe not Jeremy Irons either. 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?
Just for the visual: My fugly Blackfish art on DeviantArt. (Working on a Blackfish Graphic Project, intended to show my favourite British Blackfishies "in character". Currently drawing Mullan, since Irons has already a million pics in costume out there. Hopefully I'll get to the others too.)
- Jeremy Irons (1948). He's Jeremy Irons, for goodness' sake, he can't get it wrong. Alas, this makes him very busy. (See here a post dedicated to him in "The Borgias", his most Blackfishy role yet.) Note: Raymond III of Tripoli (and Tiberias) DID fight at Hattin.
- 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 with good camera work. I put toghether a collection of pics. Note: Odoacer was not a Goth.
- 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 a redhead. Pic from the 17th SAG Awards where he went up to pick the Best Movie award for The King's Speech with Firth, Rush and Bonham-Carter.
- Nigel Havers (1951) (pic from Mirror Celebs). 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?
- 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.
- John Lynch (1961), a relative unknown, but he's Irish and I can't get his role in Merlin out of my head. Suggested on WiC, I believe. Pic from About.Com.
- Ian McShane (1942). Suggested everywhere but I never added him because no role of his screamed "Blackfish" for me. This does. Even too much.
- Bernard Hill (1944). Suggested on Westeros. Simply yes.
- Pierce Brosnan (1953). Suggested on Westeros. Never thought about him, but he satisfies ALL requirements. A piece of "stunt casting"?
- 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. Alas, grey beard or not, no way he looks 55, especially with a Tully smile.
- Victor Reinier (1963, The Netherlands). Suggested on Westeros. Even younger than Waltz, older than me by just... *cough* Cons: young and handsome. Pros: young and handsome. Season 2 needs such men. Just add lines on his face. His smile is pure Tully.
- Jeff Bridges (1949, USA). Not really feasible since he won the Academy Award, but almost perfect. 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 would be a really nice choice for Brynden Tully. Check out my Lapidus tribute gallery.
- Mark Harmon (1951, USA). Precisely the right age, and affordable. Perfect Tully eyes.
- 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 yea. 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."
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.