Casting

Expelliarmus!

I jest, not that sort of casting, I'm talking film casting.

In the news this week two roles worthy of discussion. First Scarlett Johansson is set to play Jane Austen heroine Elizabeth Bennet the zombie-slayer version in Pride and Prejudice with Zombies. Secondly, and the role that interests me most, is that newcomer James Howson has been cast as Heathcliff in Andrea Arnolds adaptation of Wuthering Heights.

James Howson is believed to be the first non-white actor to star in the role in any screen adaptation of Emily Bronte’s classic 1847 novel.

Howson, who is in his early 20s and from Leeds, will follow in the footsteps of Hollywood legends Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes and Timothy Dalton.

And by casting him for the pivotal role the production team may have fulfilled Bronte’s wishes – because some academics believe Heathcliff was not meant to be white.

In the novel, the young Heathcliff is found abandoned at the former slave port of Liverpool by the kindly Mr Earnshaw, who adopts him.

The boy is described as a ‘dark-skinned gypsy in aspect and a little lascar’ – a 19th Century reference to sailors from India  Daily Mail

What do you think? I love Scarlett but I don't think she'll make a great Elizabeth Bennett, though as this isn't really a 'real' Elizabeth I guess she'll be ok as a zombie slayer version.
Howson I think will be an interesting change from the white, chiseled 30 something actors we usually get playing the role. I can't wait to see what him and Kaya Scodelario bring to the parts.