What do you think of the choice of Tom Cruise as Lestat? When the movie came out I read A.R. wasn’t happy and I was surprised, but then I read the books and I agreed with her. I love the movie and he acted very well, but I can’t see him fit as Lestat.
*siiiigh* Are we still talking about Tom Cruise’s casting? I recognize that I’ve been in this fandom since before the movie came out (so it’s been officially 21 years of hearing this question), and that there are new ppl to fandom every year with their own headcanon of the character.
When anyone comes across AR’s very strong initial negative opinion of Mr. Cruise they may even agree with her at first. However! She published another opinion after seeing his performance (in the test reel even, thanx @annabellioncourt!) in which she praises him to high heaven even more strenuously! She still occasionally mentions him on her FB with affection, even now.
“ON TOM CRUISE: From the moment he appeared Tom was Lestat for me. He has the immense physical and moral presence; he was defiant and yet never without conscience; he was beautiful beyond description yet compelled to do cruel things. The sheer beauty of Tom was dazzling, but the polish of his acting, his flawless plunge into the Lestat persona, his ability to speak rather boldly poetic lines, and speak them with seeming ease and conviction were exhilarating and uplifting. The guy is great.“
And I agree with her 110% *u*
You can find some other options for casting Lestat in my #VC casting tag, but what I think it all boils down to is that an actor’s job is to ACT. Since a fictional character exists in our imagination, there is no perfect physical casting for him EVER. Not even illustrated in graphic novels or animation. We can all agree that there are certain physical characteristics he should have, like having blond hair, but there are so many shades of blond. Even then, that one thing we can all agree is necessary for Lestat was TOTALLY DISCARDED in the Queen of the Damned movie sooo… *shrugs*
It’s up to the director to choose who they want to act out the story they want to tell.
Bonus: Neil Jordan, #certified vampire therapist
I, too, was originally horrified at the casting of Cruise as Lestat. And then I saw the movie.
I still don’t like the Wee Madman – but as Lestat, he’s PERFECT. (It still should’ve been Rutger, or Sting – but it’s very, very good as the Wee One.)
Ooo! Sting as Lestat! Tasty, and a rock star (which, let’s face it, sums up Lestat).
A.R. said that the original DESCRIPTIVE inspiration for Lestat was Rutger Hauer – huge, brooding, athletic, physically imposing, very blond. This was for “Interview”-era.
by the time “The Vampire Lestat” came out, he’d gotten too old for her mind palace of inspiration, and Lestat turned into a rock star that should’ve been played by a rockstar – still tall, but lithe, beguiling, Sting-ish. 🙂
That’s why Sting wrote “Moon over Bourbon Street”. that’s him talking about wanting to BE Lestat for Anne.
But the Wee Madman (I call him that because Tom Cruise is NOT TALL. And neither am I, and I also am quite mad) was VERY GOOD as Lestat. I agree with A.R. – started off loathing the idea, ended up loving it.
I-want-my-IWTV 