5 Actors We Don’t Want to See In The Skyrim Movie

Earlier this year, we speculated as to whether a Skyrim movie was in the works. Our opinion hasn’t changed — we still believe that a Skyrim movie will be released sooner rather than later, and that taking the Elder Scrolls franchise to the big screen will be a boon to Bethesda and their parent company, Zenimax. The timing couldn’t be better for such an undertaking. The hunger for well made fantasy films and television shows is arguably at an all-time high. Hits such as The Hobbit and Game of Thrones still leave fans wanting more. The Elder Scrolls franchise is rich in history and lore, and a Skyrim movie would have an extensive amount of material to draw upon. In the hands of a master story teller, a Skyrim movie could truly be something special.

Skyrim-MovieHowever, with great reward comes risk. One surefire way to kill any interest in a Skyrim movie would be to cast the film with Hollywood “A-listers” whose best work is either behind them, or who wouldn’t be suited for an epic film based in Tamriel’s northernmost province. Here then, in no particular order, are 5 actors we don’t want to see in the Skyrim movie:

  1. Johnny Depp In our earlier article we talked about how we didn’t want to see Johnny Depp in a Skyrim movie, and questioned as to why he was picked to play Tonto in the Lone Ranger. Sure enough, we were spot-on with our criticism. The Lone Ranger proved to be a box office disaster and the critics were not impressed with Depp’s portrayal of the Masked Man’s best friend. Depp has been involved in too many projects, and his quirky characters just seem like different incarnations of Jack Sparrow. He’s annoying, and would kill a Skyrim movie faster than nailing a Skeever broadside with a fireball.
  2. Dwayne Johnson (aka “The Rock”) Dwayne Johnson definitely has the physique to be in a Skyrim movie, but an epic film needs more than chiseled muscle. Johnson’s not necessary a bad actor in a “guys movie” sort of way, but like Depp he’s simply been in too many movies (most of them not very good). He’s an action-star that’s been typecast. He’s a lazy choice for Skyrim, and there are other athletic actors in Hollywood capable of swinging a battle axe with greater effect.
  3. Nicholas Cage Nicholas Cage has starred in just about every type of movie imaginable– everything from comedies like Raising Arizona to action flicks like the upcoming Expendables 3. With such an extensive body of work, Cage is no stranger to fantasy films as well. Unfortunately, his work in Season of the Witch is why we have to add him to this list (a terrible rating on Rotten Tomatoes). As brilliant as Cage has been at times in his career, he just doesn’t have the acting chops to pull off a sword and sorcery action movie.
  4. Ben Affleck Fans are so angry that Ben Affleck has been cast as the new Batman that they’ve started petitions to have him booted before filming begins on the upcoming Man of Steel sequel. The anger stems from Affeck’s perceived lack of acting ability — most notably his panned performance in Daredevil. The fan backlash if he were chosen for the Skyrim movie would be just as harsh. Can you imagine Affleck fighting dragons in Windhelm? Nope. Neither can we.
  5. George Clooney Is it possible that the creators of the Skyrim movie would be crazy enough to even consider a role for George Clooney? Stranger things have unfortunately happened (hey, did anyone tell Ben Affleck that Clooney once played Batman?). Clooney is a serious dramatic actor who is also adept at comedies. Not trying to be haters, but the joke would be on Skyrim fans if he were picked for the Skyrim movie. Clooney is definitely a box office draw, but his all-American looks and witty charm just wouldn’t play well in cities like Solitude.

The Skyrim movie needs to be epic. While the five actors mentioned above have starred in good movies over the years, it would be a casting mistake to pursue any of them for Skyrim. So what do you think? Do you agree with our choices? Who else do you think should make the list of actors we don’t want to see in the Skyrim movie?

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Shane Scarbrough
Shane Scarbrough

Shane Scarbrough is the founder of the Skyrim Fansite. He's a business owner, video game journalist, and role playing game aficionado. When he's not working he enjoys reading, writing, and playing video games. He's currently on his third playthrough of Skyrim, and is playing as a Templar in The Elder Scrolls Online. You can find Shane on Google+ and FaceBook.

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Kongo Kannibal
Kongo Kannibal
10 years ago

Yea I think they should cast fresh faces in skyrim. Someone who we cant relate with other movies.

Frostinberg
Frostinberg
10 years ago

You forgot to add Arnold Schwarzenegger….in fact, I would refrain from using any famous actor for Skyrim movies. Some of these actors are overused as it is

Shane Scarbrough
Shane Scarbrough
Reply to  Frostinberg
10 years ago

You guys are spot on. Fresh faces and no Arnie (even if he bears a resemblance to Vorstag and sounds like the Hold guards)!

Ackmator
Ackmator
10 years ago

One actor they surely need is Sean Bean, in my opinion…

Shane Scarbrough
Shane Scarbrough
Reply to  Ackmator
10 years ago

Sean Bean is one of my favorite actors. He was perfect as Boromir.

Ackmator
Ackmator
Reply to  Shane Scarbrough
10 years ago

I was thinking about a role as Ulfric or a Jarl or something. Jarl Balgruuf perhaps…

The Hooded One
The Hooded One
10 years ago

George Clooney as Batman, hell yea!

John B
John B
6 years ago

Why not employ the original actors who did their voices?