*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.
Of course it’s hard to fight back the depression! You lost a parent recently! (Hell, I still have bad days about my mom’s passing, and it was 4 years ago.)
My advice is this: keep moving forward as much as you can, and accept that you are going to grieve and be depressed for a while. It’s awful, but that is the natural process. If you are having problems coping, TALK TO A COUNSELOR. Grief is so, so hard to cope with, and having a professional help you is invaluable. (The first time I went to see a therapist was a few months after my mom had passed, and that made a HUGE difference.)
Again, I’m so sorry for your loss, darling. It’s awful and it hurts, but eventually you’ll feel joy again.
OH MY G-D FLUEVOG HAS COME OUT WITH A PAIR OF SHOES NAMED “THE LESTAT”. WITH BRUSHED STEEL HEELS. I NEED THEM.
::prays the 7 in men’s = 8 in women’s sizes::
You don’t understand. The depths of my COVETING for these shoes is off the charts. THEY’RE POINTY POINTY FLUEVOGS WITH A HEEL I COULD WALK IN AND THEY’RE NAMED FOR MY RIDICULOUS BRAT PRINCE.
#LESTAT LIKES THIS #I WANT THIS BC OF REASONS
NOTE: This info reblogged on his BIRTHDAY of all days nights!
I would describe Guillermo del Toro as compassionate because he sees the good in everyone even his monsters. (x)
Yes, I’m on (another) Crimson Peak posting spree, but I wanted to specifically point out what Tom Hiddleston says: “beauty in places that many of us would fear to look.” That sounds VERY familiar to me, as my definition of goth/gothic is looking for “beauty and wonder in dark or unsettling places”.
You will occasionally make bad decisions! Sometimes you will make ASTONISHINGLY bad decisions! This happens, and pretending it doesn’t can lead to even worse consequences in the future. The important thing is to recognize when you’ve made a bad decision, do what you can to cope with your part of the aftermath, AND PAY ATTENTION SO YOU DON’T DO IT AGAIN.
I-want-my-IWTV 