That'd be my second choice for Wednesday if I couldn't get Stockwell. As for Mad Sweeney, has anyone said Paul Dillon?

mcdowell is almost too creepy to play wednesday. wednesday needs to be charming too. Peter Fonda I'm telling you! He has the perfect charming, yet conniving grin.

It's funny, I'm actually doing a project for my Devry class about making this novel into a movie. I have to list out what scenes and characters to cut or keep, how to shoot certain scenes, and even what actors to have play what roles. Someone commented on a post on this site that they'd like to see Vin Diesel play Shadow. That's crazy talk! Shadow had long dark hair. Vin would be a better live action version of "Mr. Clean" than Shadow. Since Shadow spends some time in jail, working out and doing his coin tricks to keep him busy, maybe if Chris Angel put on a little bit more muscle, he would play the part.

Shadow: Christian Bale (fantastic actor, and if you've seen the weight loss for The Machinist and subsequent weight gain/buffing up for Batman Begins you know he'd work to get the look right - Vin Diesel just doesn't fit the part in my head), could also go with Clive Owen, but in Bale would be far better
Wednesday: this one is hard...I can see Jack Nicholson or Sean Connery, I also like Donald Sutherland or Rip Torn, but I can't really think of anyone that completely fits
Sam: Natalie Portman, hands down (this is actually the only character I pictured an actor for while I was reading the series)
Loki: I've read so many great ideas...I'd have to go with James Marsters
Mr. World: Hugo Weaving, easily
Mad Sweeney: This is another one I've seen a lot of great ideas for, but once someone mentioned Sean Bean I could immediately picture him in the part
Hinzelmann: Terry O'Quinn, could also see Ian Holm
Easter: Scarlett Johannsson
Buffalo: James Earl Jones...the most amazing voice ever
Czernobog: Gary Oldman
Horus: Brad Pitt
Laura: Naomi Watts (I think Julianne Moore would actually be better, but I think she's a bit too old for the part)
Director: there's several that would be good, but my personal favorite is Christopher Nolan

anyways, that's my 2 cents

I agree whole heartedly on Ian McKellen as Wednesday. If not, then (just hear me out)I might concider Nick Nolte. Remember, It's American Gods. I think Vin Diesel would be good in appearence, but doesn't have the acting chops. I am a big believer in casting unknowns or relatively unknown actors in major roles ( much like they did for Tristan Thorn in Stardust). Shadow needs to be played by someone who can be powerful in his silence. Shadow is not a very talkative guy, nor is he very emotionally open. If I were pressed to pick a name actor, I'd say Christian Bale or Eric Bana. Both are excellent actors and (if you've seen any of their movies)can command your attention in a scene without speaking.

It's been great to read through this post and discover just what a wide spectrum of interpretations a single work can create. It shows well how a story is what the individual reader makes it.

To be true, the only character I imagined with the face of an actor I know, was Shadow. But, I'll give this a go!

Shadow - I couldn't get the image of a younger Dennis Haysbert (aka 24's President David Palmer) out of my head. Heritage-wise, I got the impression that Shadow reflected the melting pot of the US, so the suggestions of apparently Caucasian actors (while talented) such as Christian Bale really don't fall into my interpretation of the book. That said, Haysbert hasn't the look I'd imagine for Shadow, though he certainly has his stature, but I feel he has that strong, stoic presence that Shadow evokes. Ultimately, an unknown with these qualities would be perfect for me.

Wednesday - This is a toughie, but I agree with the earlier poster that Donald Sutherland would be great for this role. He has a definite charisma about him while looking worn by the passage of time, as does Wednesday.

Loki - Ed Norton - no question!

Mr. Nancy - An earlier poster mentioned Ossie Davis. Perfect!

Easter - Kate Winslet is a natural beauty, a real woman with curves, full lips, and...and...I could go on all day here, but if you wanted a personification of natural, beautiful, fertile womanhood, she would be it.

Czernobog - Jeremy Irons. He has the age and the stature to play him. The trouble with Irons is that the films he plays in are either out of this world or dreadful. I would hope this one would be the former!

Mad Sweeney - Brad Pitt plays the loony to the hilt. Look at Six Monkeys, Snatch, etc.

Bast - Halle Berry

Hinzelmann - Ben Kingsley

Shadow's coloured, is he not? For my tuppence worth, given the many references to his size and that I fel he has to be a bit sinister, I'd go with Laurence Fishburne or that big guy out of the Green Mile, Sin City and Daredevil - Michael something, I think. I'd agree with Jack Nicholson as Wednesday, or Ian McKellin, as he is Odin, really. Loki's an interesting one - maybe Christian Bale could pull it off. Or Nicholas Cage. The deadly Laura, perhaps Connie Nielson, or Maggie Gwyllenhal. Anthony Hopkins would be good as Hinzelmann. Rutger Hauer as Czernobog.

While reading A.G. these were the actors who I pictured as playing the characters.

I picture Cillian Murphy as Mad Sweeny

I pictured Keanu Reeves as Shadow (if only he were a better actor)

As Mr. Wednesday I couldn't get the image of Patrick Stewart out of my head

For Loki I pictured Rik Mayal (young ones)

For Mr Ibis I pictured Tony Todd (Candy man & The Crow)

For Laura I pictured Linda Hamilton

I pictured Flavor Flav as Mr Nancy (Again If only he could act... but then again if he was "playing" Anansi he really wouldn't have to)

I'm sorry, but Linda Hamilton as Laura? She's too old for the part. I picture a younger actress as Laura. Like Laura Allen (Lilly from The 4400) or even the latest incarnation of Sarah Connor, Lena Heady.

Though Tony Todd as Mr. Ibis...spot on.

What would you people possibly say to Adam Beach as Shadow? I mean, he's played Native American roles, and even Hawaiian (or Peloponnesian (sp?)) on on NBC's "Third Watch." I think he could possibly be reasonable as a half-Black-half-Norse guy in the role.

Here's a pic of Mr. Beach. Right age in my mind, too.

Defo Lena Headey as Laura - I was trying to think of her name when I posted my original tuppence worth, recalling her from 300 - that's how I picture Laura in my head, cold, hard, beautiful - the girl's got balls and is much more sinister and frightening than Shadow, I'd even go so far as to say that she's probably the scariest character in the book. Oh, and Michael Clarke Duncan's the big guy out of The Green Mile. I just feel that Shadow, as a demigod, has to be someone physically impressive (oh, god...The Rock?!!) Like Gilgamesh, Hercules, Beowulf...they were all big mean guys. And if they ever do make the film, wouldn't it be nice to have the story where Shadow fights Grendel (at the back od Fragile Things, I think) as a kind of epilogue - give Mr Gaiman another chance to have a stab at an onscreen mother for the monster - personally, I preferred the dangerous little granny here to Angeline Jolie's seductive representation - not a criticism of her acting, btw, just my own humble opinion.

Dwayne Johnson: Shadow
Robert Redford: Wednesday
Kiera Knightly: Sam
Tim Roth: Loki
Hugh Jackman: Sheriff of Lakeside
Jessica Beil: Laura
Julianna Marguellies: Marge Olsen
Garrett Morris: Mr. Nancy
Sylvester Stallone: Czernobog
Robert Redford: Odin from the postscript
Alan Tudyk: Mad Sweeney
Michael Duncan Clark: voice of the buffalo-headed man

The only thing I have set in my mind so far is
Danny Trejo as Whiskey Jack.

I can't seem to come to a final decision on anything else.

David Warner as Wednesday.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: redtom,

Mr. Wednesday: Rip Torn
Mad Sweeney: has to be tall, Liam Neeson?
Sam: Ellen Page

I still can't think of a good Shadow, although I see Vin Diesel while reading the book.

I think John Glover would be a great Wednesday.

I was pleased to find this site. I read American Gods last summer and for some reason have not ben able to get it out of my head. From the very first chapter I envisioned Vin Diesil playing the role of shadow, which is what led me to this site. I am trying to learn if there are any plans yet to make a movie if so we must lobby for Vin Diesil to play Shadow. I know he has had some cheesy movies in the past but this character is him. Anyway it was just interesting to find others thought of Vin Deisil as well.

I'm in the minority with the Please Don't Cast Vin Diesel As Shadow.

I still can't envision this as a movie the story is too massive and I fear it'll get hacked.

has anyone volunteered John Goodman for Fiddler's Green? (sorry; I'm taking a quick break at work, so I don't have time to scour the thread right now.)

also, where can we fit in Alan Rickman?

ETA: my head's clearly in the wrong book. but I still want to know where we can fit in Alan Rickman.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Apathy,

quote:

Originally posted by Denise Shrout:
Shadow: Christian Bale (fantastic actor, and if you've seen the weight loss for The Machinist and subsequent weight gain/buffing up for Batman Begins you know he'd work to get the look right - Vin Diesel just doesn't fit the part in my head), could also go with Clive Owen, but in Bale would be far better
Wednesday: this one is hard...I can see Jack Nicholson or Sean Connery, I also like Donald Sutherland or Rip Torn, but I can't really think of anyone that completely fits
Sam: Natalie Portman, hands down (this is actually the only character I pictured an actor for while I was reading the series)
Loki: I've read so many great ideas...I'd have to go with James Marsters
Mr. World: Hugo Weaving, easily
Mad Sweeney: This is another one I've seen a lot of great ideas for, but once someone mentioned Sean Bean I could immediately picture him in the part
Hinzelmann: Terry O'Quinn, could also see Ian Holm
Easter: Scarlett Johannsson
Buffalo: James Earl Jones...the most amazing voice ever
Czernobog: Gary Oldman
Horus: Brad Pitt
Laura: Naomi Watts (I think Julianne Moore would actually be better, but I think she's a bit too old for the part)
Director: there's several that would be good, but my personal favorite is Christopher Nolan

anyways, that's my 2 cents

Wow, great list! I 100% agree with Bale, Nicholson (or McKellen, he'd be great as well) and Terry O'Quinn. Sean Bean was a good one too.

For Sam, I imagine Emilie de Ravin (since I just love her on Lost), and Loki...hmm...

One thing I didn't get...

Spoiler!

I thought Mr. World was Loki...were they supposed to look different?

End Spoiler.



But Loki...I could see him more as Oldman than Czernobog, and people may laugh at this but I think a great Czernobog would be John Malkovich. Maybe switch those, but Malkovich/Oldman as Czernobog/Loki would make my life.