Who Should Play Rochester? - Jane Eyre (1996) Discussion

[–] fazrain 18 years ago

Colin Firth or Heath Ledger, Ledger is a bit young but both have that darkness and brooding quality and the intense eyes.

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[–] bubu_unlimited 18 years ago

You're right: Colin Firth has the face,the temperment,the voice and the look which would make him a splendid Mr.Rochester!

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[–] Dogma_wb 18 years ago

No way !! I bet Colin is tired of all Darcy/Rochester roles. Let him find the role where he can be different and show that he is a good actor and not only in costume dramas

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[–] Aaryn_Zhou 17 years ago

Those are terrible choices.

Colin Firth's characters have always come off as somewhat jittery and unsure of themselves. Rochester is so sure of what he is about and who he is. I don't think Firth can pull that off.

Heath Ledger is too handsome for the character of Rochester. He's a good actor and his characters do carry an air of confidence but for some reason, it just doesn't feel right.

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[–] megan_norway 18 years ago

For actual part
Sean Bean: Fabulous, dye the eyebrows and hair and all is good
For looks not acting:
Binico Del Toro (fits the description, shame about the accent)
Vinnie JOnes (would be terrible, but has a certain rochester appeal)
ANd for future films in about 20 years:
Daniel Radcliffe, will look exactly right for rochester, apart from those eyes
I actually found the description of rochester quiet good looking (i liked timothy dalton, while others find him ugly, then agian he played heathcliffe)who knows?
Chissled chin, dark intense eyes, thick dark hair, well defined striaght nose, strong arms, older man appeal,speak actual words and doesnt care about how fast his fully sick car goes (well except for his new carriage, but that had horses, so it doesnt count) WHATS NOT TO LIKE MS BRONTE!
must be a period ugly look
then again jane is plain but her descrpition, petite, fairy like, green eyes, blond, brown hair, is not actually considered plain now a days, thats why i found it hard to visualise them as ugly and plain characters when i read the book. THe 1983 version did not help me with Dalton. Alas no avail!
I dont think they will ever cast this movie right.
For a purely Hollywood film: ST JOhn: JUde law, in plat forms to make him tall
Catherine Zeta jones as mrs mason rochester (once beuatiful women gone mad) no more ideas really!!!

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[–] frumious_bandersnatch42 18 years ago

Alan Rickman would be the BEST Rochester ever.

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[–] sndform 18 years ago

I agree! Alan Rickman all the way!!

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[–] loreena-1 18 years ago

I totally agree!!! Although Ciaran Hinds was not so bad.

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[–] fantasyfanatic7 18 years ago

Alan Rickman is already labeled as Col. Brandon of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Plus I'd be distracted by the fact that he is Snape.

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[–] Nynaeve 18 years ago

Rickman is also in his 60s. Too old! He can play Brocklehurst, however.

--

If my dream was true, then everything we know, everything we think we know, is a lie.

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[–] raiseyourvoicemovie 18 years ago

That's what I thought = Alan Rickman. Enough said =]

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[–] Cindi14 16 years ago

I thought of Alan Rickman, too! Good choice.

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[–] dreamwork15 15 years ago

I love Alan Rickman but he is 25 years too old - Rochester in the book is not yet 40 years old.

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[–] poppysecrets 15 years ago

Yes, he would be amazing!
When reading the book I also thought Marco Pierre White could be good if his hair was tidied up a bit haha because he's one of those men I have an 'old man crush' on. And, although he's a celebrity chef not an actor, I reckon he could pull it off given a good director

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[–] liz-banfield 18 years ago

how dare you! suggest! that! daniel! bloody! radcliffe! would be a suitable choice for mr rochester?! in 34930 years perhaps, when he has reincarnated as a good looking and talented actor with more than one facial expression (model: paper plate). or shall i give him a bit more time for that?

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[–] TheSqueee 15 years ago

Daniel Radcliffe as Rochester!? Seriously?! Aside from not being a good enough actor, he's way too YOUNG, for starters! He would not be able to do any sort of justice to the role whatsoever. No. Sorry, but I wholly disagree. I'm a big Harry Potter fan/nerd, but Harry Potter as Rochester? Maybe in 15 years time.

Personally, I reckon Richard Armitage would be brilliant. He can do pained brooding so terribly well, and is an ace actor in general. However, the next Rochester in line seems to be Michael Fassbender. We'll see how he works out. I'm sure he'll do a good job, but we'll see if he can top Stephens and Dalton. :)

^^ May contain ramblings of an easily over-excited fangirl # http://thesqueee.blogspot.com

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[–] rachel-marie44 13 years ago

"Personally, I reckon Richard Armitage would be brilliant. He can do pained brooding so terribly well, and is an ace actor in general. However, the next Rochester in line seems to be Michael Fassbender. We'll see how he works out. I'm sure he'll do a good job, but we'll see if he can top Stephens and Dalton. :)"

I absolutely lovee Richard Armitage and I think he would be great in the role. But I think he's too handsome and I would also just be thinking Mr. Thorton! the whole time. lol

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[–] amourexx 18 years ago

I just started reading the book and haven't seen the movie before, but I have to agree simply because I adore Joaquin.

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] MiNiBiRiN-1 18 years ago

Clive Owen
Hugh Jackman
Alan Rickman
Ralph Fiennes (even though he did Heathecliffe already)
Joseph Fiennes
Goeffrey Rush (but he might be too old)
Eric Bana!! omg he's so hot
Colin Firth would do great, but he's already labeled as Mr.Darcy
If Colin Farrell was older he'd do great

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[–] MiNiBiRiN-1 18 years ago

Here's a perfect one......Daneiel Day Lewis!!

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Dogma_wb 18 years ago

I agree. Daniel would be OK !! I liked him in The Age of Innocence. I think he looks good in dramas. He is around 59 now. A bit too old for Rocherster

http://kathyddl.tripod.com/r1.jpg

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[–] plopez_13 18 years ago

Matthew Mcfadyen

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[–] kat63 18 years ago

Couldn't agree more, can't watch any other version without seeing Jayston and Cusack in the roles. But if I was forced to give a name, the only one that springs to mind is Alan Rickman, fantastic voice (which is something I love with Michael Jaystons acting), and I think he'd play the part with some wit as well, which I think a lot of Rochester portrayals is missing., apart from Jaystons.

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[–] sophie_amundsen 18 years ago

Just agreeing. Nothing more to add. :)

***
Bronteana Bronte Studies Blog:

http://bronteana.blogspot.com

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[–] lutece 18 years ago

Michael Jasyton played quite a good Rochester, but Timothy Dalton was IMO much better. Having seen his performance in Jane Eyre 1983, it's difficult for me to imagine another actor playing the part so well. I must admit that Alan Rickman could be a good choice, but unfortunately, he is too old for the role now. Perhaps Richard Armitage in 10 years?

http://the-inn-at-lambton.cultureforum.net/

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[–] kat63 18 years ago

I think it depends sometimes on which adaptation you saw first. I saw the Jayston version way back in 1973 when it was first shown and I've never forgotten how much I enjoyed it, and how much I enjoyed the acting of Cusack and Jayston, so 10 years later when I saw the 1983 version it just didn't do anything for me, great acting, a wonderful love story, but something missing. I do think Dalton is a fine actor but just can't see him in the part when I read the book and wasn't too keen on Zelah Clark as Jane which I think really spoiled it for me. Richard Armitage sounds like a pretty good choice for Rochester.

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[–] sophie_amundsen 18 years ago

I remember back when I first found out about there being a new JE. The first reaction from most of my friends was 'Armitage for Rochester!' ;) And, having him play Rochester in 10 years isn't an impossibility. I predicted the new BBC production from looking at how often adaptations were made. It is about once a decade.

In all honesty, Dalton didn't quite get the depth of character most of the time. There were moments were I can only say his performance was brilliant. But there were long stretches where he just didn't bring the character across. I think I first got this impression from the first interview scene where the repartee repeatedly fell flat. I think his reading of 'common place sinner' lines were absolutely perfect. There could have been more consistency throughout, maybe. But I wouldn't hesitate to put him second of all film Rochesters. But Jayston was so brilliant at every turn, he will always be first in my opinon (unless, somehow, someone manages to go even further ;). I saw the 1983 version first, btw. It was the second version I ever saw. By the time I got to the 1973 version, I had seen another 3 versions or so? And I had thought no one would get Rochester right, but I was satisfied with Jayston's performance.

***
Bronteana Bronte Studies Blog:

http://bronteana.blogspot.com

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] WoodElf87 18 years ago

Hahaha, I read that as "Michael Jackson" at first glance, and was all whooaaa...

xD

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[–] farah_193-3 18 years ago

Hugh Jackman

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[–] iLikeMonkies 18 years ago

Orson Welles made the best Rochester, but for today I would have to go with Clive Owens, he definitely has the look of Mr Rochester but I'm not sure if he can pull off his whole demeanor

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[–] Crying_Banshee 18 years ago

I agree that Orsen Welles made the best Rochester.

Although for a more updated version my choices would be Alan Rickman, Daniel Day-Lewis or possibly Hugh Jackman.

"Oh, but 'Baby Fishmouth' is sweeping the nation!"

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[–] ttandb 18 years ago

In the new BBC version (on tv later this year) it's going to be Toby Stephens. I wasn't sure at first as I'm a big Welles/Dalton fan of their look and the way they both played the character as this desperate and tormented soul.

However, having read details of the set visits by reporters and also seen pictures of TS as Rochester I think he will be good. He certainly has the passion that the character needs (as witnessed in his portrayals of Duke Orsino in 'Twelfth Night' and William Dodd in 'Sharpe's Challenge'.) He's also got the looks, very brooding and menacing when needed; he can express a lot of emotion with merely a look which is very much needed for Rochester.

Still it remains to be seen, but I think he'll pull it off with ease. :O)

Let's face it NO ONE can be worse than the late George C. Scott as Rochester and the overall programme will never be worse than Zeferelli's. LOL!

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[–] classycassie 18 years ago

I can't picture Mr. Rochester as ugly. Anyway, I think Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, or Matthew McFayden would be good.

***
The truth might hurt, but a lie will only get you a billy club to the windpipe.

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[–] kim_kemp 18 years ago

I agree with you! Rochester isn't ugly. He has the whole rugged thing going on.

I agree about Colin Firth cos he has all the features... but seriously? I don't think he would do the character of Rochester with any justice. He's much more the upper class English gent, as seen in Pride & Prejudice <3 and Bridget Jones. Lol. But I think whoever mentioned Ralph Fiennes... you know I think you're onto something there.

Is it true that tht BBC are doing a remake of Jane Eyre this year?
If Pride & Prejudice (1995) and Bleak House (2005) were anything to go by, it should be good! Can't wait. Someone please verify the rumour?

Kim xxx

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] sophie_amundsen 18 years ago

Yes, the BBC are just wrapping up post-production on their new mini series. There's a ton of information, and photos at my blog.

***
Bronteana Bronte Studies Blog:

http://bronteana.blogspot.com

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] jill_rooney 18 years ago

Jeremy Brett would have been great - another Maxim de Winter (why is that version not available?) Max and Rochester are v similar. Agree about Alan Rickman.

The new Jane is the most like the book - bad tempered and plain when at rest, lovely when happy.

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] jennyrec 18 years ago

Ian McKellen when he was younger (think Chavelin in Scarlet Pimpernell.)

I was also going to say Rickman, but someone beat me too it. He'd have to tone down the pantomiming though. (More like he was in Sense & sensibility)

Joaqim Phoenix - too young; Sean Bean - too good-looking; Daniel Radcliffe - Best laugh I've had in years!!

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] trixes24meanmiracles 18 years ago

I think Alan Rickman would make a great Mr. Rochester

"The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had"~Mad World

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] vince-volaju 18 years ago

The best Rochester was clearly Orson Welles. He was not handsome in any way most women seem to consider handsome. He had masculine authority and was sardonic. What more could you ask?

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] kat63 18 years ago

Nobody could beat Michael Jayston or Orson Welles. The only one who could come close would be Alan Rickman, he's certainly got the screen presence like Jayston to pull it off. I think that's an important element for playing the part of Rochester and where some actors have failed.

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