*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.
*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.
im gonna liveblog interview with a vampire so get ready kids
brad pitt talking in monotone is the single weirdest and funniest thing i have ever seen
i think im developing a thing for 80s/90s christian slater
“how can i put you at ease?” idk maybe you shouldn’t have told him you’re a vampire
six minutes in and there’s a montage with dramatic music and a deadpan monologue voice over provided by brad pitt i love this movie already
aaaaannnnnnnddd………….now they’re flying
they’re in mid air, tom cruise in a blond wig is drinking brad pitt’s blood, brad pitt made a sex noise when tom cruise detached himself from brad pitt’s neck, and then tom cruise dramatically dropped him into a river. i really do love this movie
as in all period dramas, there is a scene where a rich person in lacy nightclothes lies coughing and gravely ill in their massive bed in a huge mansion. even when the period dramas have vampires, there’s always this scene
question: how many times is tom cruise gonna attach himself to brad pitt’s neck in this film
also: how many more dramatic speeches is tom cruise gonna have, and how many more sex noises is brad pitt gonna make
this movie is so dramatic i can’t
do you mean to tell me that these two guys can just sit in a public tavern and casually drink someone’s blood in the corner until they die and no-one notices??
tom cruise: [offers him rat blood]
brad pitt: [makes an “is this bitch for real?” face]
brad pitt:
brad pitt:
brad pitt: [drinks it anyway]
tom cruise: read her thoughts
brad pitt: [makes an “is this bitch for real?” face]
brad pitt:
brad pitt:
brad pitt: [tries it anyway]
brad pitt:
brad pitt: i can’t
the “NYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA” then the high pitched squeak/laugh i’m losing my shit
in other news, this immortal vampire is also a grape-throwing eight-year-old
HE’S DANCING WITH THE FUCKING CORPSE
claudia: where’s mama??
lestat: [brief “oh shit what do i tell her without seeming like a homicidal maniac” moment]
lestat:
lestat:
lestat: she’s in heaven
they’re parents. its official. lestat and louis are an old married couple, complete with daughter. i can’t believe i don’t even have to make this up
“you’re mine and louis’ daughter now” gay vampire dads i cannot fucking believe this
claudia: eww dad when did u eat rats
louis: long time ago, before u were born
louis, silently in his head: and it was bc of fucking lestat so don’t blame that shit on me
can’t believe claudia is having a teenage rage while louis is like OH NO BBY CALM DOWN and lestat is yelling NOT IN THE FUCKING HOUSE
the only thing not making this a scene from a domestic family comedy/drama is the dead body
there’s door-slamming and everything amazing
claudia: oh btw they’re dead ¯_(ツ)_/¯
lestat:
lestat:
claudia: ¯_(ツ)_/¯
lestat:
lestat: fuck
lestat: LOUIS
THIS WAS WORTH ALL THE DIGITAL INK IT WAS PRINTED WITH
“question: how many times is tom cruise gonna attach himself to brad pitt’s neck in this film”
I-want-my-IWTV 