The Twilight Saga: New Moon is picking up speed with its casting lately. Joining the likes of returnees Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Peter Facinelli, Nikki Reed, Elizabeth Reaser, Billy Burke, Michael Welch, Christian Serratos, Anna Kendrick, Justin Chon, Edi Gathegi, Rachelle Lefevre, and Gil Birmingham, will be Michael Sheen, reports say.
First we saw the addition of Dakota Fanning to the cast list for the role of Jane. Then, the wolfpack and Heidi were announced (actors Bronson Pelletier, Chaske Spencer, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon and Tyson Houseman alongside Taylor Lautner for the wolfpack and Noot Sear for Heidi), then we got wind that Sweeney Todd star Jamie Campbell-Bower would become Caius in the Twilight series films, and now (as my friends over at Cullen Boys Anonymous so kindly pointed out), we can add Michael Sheen to the list for the part of Aro, also a Volturi coven member who, alongside Caius, reigns over Volterra (and pretty much the vampiric world as we know it in Twilight).
Michael Sheen, British film star in such pieces as the up-coming Alice in Wonderland and Underworld: Rise of the Lycans and (previously) hit films Frost/Nixon, The Queen, Blood Diamond, Kingdom of Heaven, Underworld, Underworld: Evolution, and Timeline, carries with him one hay of a resume as he enters the set of The Twilight Saga: New Moon.
The Daily Mail, who broke the story, reports that Chris Weitz, director of New Moon, pursued Sheen in a rather aggressive fashion for the role. Why? Perhaps it is because the role of Aro in The Twilight Saga: New Moon and, especially, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn is a rather complex one. Sure, on paper Aro is a cloaked vampire with a bloodlust for our favorite characters with gifts such as Alice and Edward Cullen, but beneath the surface (especially when Aro is brought to the big screen), he will need to be vexed in a way.
I say that because the character of Caius, who will be played by Campbell-Bower, and Aro will go head-to-head on certain issues near the end of the series. Aro's sense or right and equity is tested near the end of the series, especially when it comes to our dear Renesmee and the almost-showdown between the stacked-and-backed Cullen coven (with Taylor Lautner, and the rest of the wolfpack to boot at, as Stephenie Meyer would say, their flanks). The portrayal of Aro will require a presentation of self-inspection and dignity in order to accomplish on-screen the inner-feats that Aro went through in the books. Sure, Aro had the power in New Moon to keep Alice and Edward all his own (thus effectively solidifying his trifecta of extra-sensory perception), but he didn't. Ah, the discussion could continue on this matter, but suffice it to say that, of the three Volturi members, it was precisely important (at least in my humble opinion) that Aro be cast perfectly.
Word also has it that Tinsel Korey, who was un-confirmed before for the role of Emily, is a definite go. There were also some waves in the blogosphere and fansite community (for a full discussion, visit my friends over at NewMoonMovie.org's article on-point here) where names like Kim Kardashian and Justine Wachsberger floated around. Specifically, it seems, Kardashian wants it, and IMDb says Justine has it (for the fairly small part of Gianna, the Volturi's human secretary pet (whose fate she willingly entrusts to the Volturi).
Phew! So what is left? Obviously, we still need to cast the "bored" Marcus, whose role and lines are bound to be very short. Also, we need to see an Alec, whose physical description nears that of Jane enough that they together could rightfully be called the terror twins. Furthermore, there are a lot of other Volturis left to be cast - Demetri, Felix, Chelsea being some - as well as some more members of the wolfpack - Seth and Leah Clearwater, perhaps, most importantly.
With the addition of the likes of Dakota Fanning and Michael Sheen, we can definitely surmise that we are no longer dealing with low expectations from Summit Entertainment, or a low budget for that matter. Perhaps, rightly, we can put to bed our concerns over the accuracy of the book-to-film translation (as, we saw, most of them stemmed from worry that the studio would underestimate our staying power as Twilight fans). Though some fans have shown disappointment with the look of Jamie Campbell-Bower (see here) for Caius, perhaps the casting folks on the project got it right with this one. After all, Michael Sheen, a forty year old man, is clearly not a kid (which was one of the major complaints over the choice of Campbell-Bower).
What do you think? Do you think Michael Sheen looks the part for Aro? Are you excited at his addition to the cast? Comment below and let us know!
Thanks to Cullen Boys Anonymous for reminding me of this!
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Comments
Honestly, on hearing this casting announcement, I was a little disappointed. The reason is entirely superficial; Aro has always been my favorite character, and I've always imagined him really young. My biggest fear going into this movie was that they would cast actual old men as Volturi members, even though it never mentions in the books how old they were when they were turned. After Jamie got cast, I kind of thought they were casting them the way I would have.
Michael Sheen is certainly not my first choice. He's a little too old than I imagined, and kind of awkward-looking, not what immediately comes to mind when I think of sexy vampires. However, his acting chops are pretty much unparalleled. He's turned in tons of brilliant performances, and obviously, if Chris Weitz really wanted him that badly, he'll bring a lot of the complexity you spoke of to the role. I had my heart set on Ben Barnes as Aro, but I'm certainly willing to see how Michael does. :)
I think Michael Sheen is perfect. I've actually seen him (as Lucian, in Underworld) in some of the fan-made New Moon videos on YouTube. Great choice!!
@ Chelsea.
The Volturi are no sexy, young vampires.
They look intimidating, manipulative, wise, yet they are peaceful in their own manner. Translucent, papery looking skin and clouded eyes doesn't really make me think of sexy vampires. hahaha
I think Michael is absolutely perfect.
But I'm still a little miffed that Paul Bettany was not considered for Caius. I mean, come on, they couldn't have picked anyone more perfect than Paul.
I'm sure Michael will be super creepy and will nail Aro perfectly.
I don't think Chelsea and Leah need to be cast this time around for New Moon (Leah barely shows up and, I might be wrong, but I think Chelsea only shows up in Breaking Dawn).
Thank you Rebecca. the Volturri are not supposed to be sexy ffs lmao.
and Michael will do an amazing job. no doubt about it. He does with everything he does. They're really lucky to have him.
This is exciting! I am a huge fan of the Underworld movies and Michael Sheen is a perfect addition to the cast! He will be perfect as Aro! I can't wait to see this movie!
I like Michael Sheen (40), he was great at Underworld. But, I always thought that Aro and Caius should be around the same age, so I do not know how it is going to work with Campbell-Bower (19)
the casting of the volturi, especially aro, is very delicate in my opinion.. they have to portray the 3000 years of wisdom and authority, so the actors playing those roles should be extremely experienced and charismatic.. the casting of sheen is a good move, but i'm still hoping the caius casting is a big fat joke.. and honestly, who would be a better choice for marcus than steve buscemi??
i hope someone from summit reads this..
well i think that all the choices that had been made so far have been great ............
just cant wait for new moon,totally absorbed by this story!!!have read all the books and got my friends n family hooked too x
I like more the presence of Michael Sheen as Aro than Jamie Campbell-Bower as Caius, because I think the Volturi vampires are older.I hope they choose Marcus a actor of age similar to Sheen.
I LOVE Michael Sheen as Aro...GREAT CHOICE! I think he's perfect for it! I still don't like Jamie Campbell-Bower as Caius. I, like a lot of other people it seems, always pictured the Volturi as older men...not so much old, just more mature than the others. I'm sure it'll all work out great in the end though :) I have faith!! lol
I love Michael Sheen in "Underworld" as a werewolf. Maybe he can give Taylor and the rest of the wolfpack some insights. He would make an ominous vampire too!
I agree that Ben Barnes would have been a great choice - he can look older but still younger than Michael Sheen. I, too, thought Caius and Aro were about the same age. I honestly think they should have cast Jamie Campbell-Bower as Alex. He looks a lot like Dakota Fanning.
I really dont like some of the cast, in the first movie it was with unknown actors and now they have house-hold names!! like come on!! i really dont like it!!! i think they should stick with new and unknown actors!!
totally awesome...he'd make a great aro point blank
I am so excited that Michael Sheen has been casted to play Aro! He is a fabulous actor. I am happy to see at least *one* older actor being cast for the Volturi, considering they're age. I can't wait to see what he does with Aro.
I love love love sheen for aro....I freakin hate!!bower for cauis....he's way way to young for the part...the volturi need to be older in 30's or 40's....and I think alan rickman would be a kick @$$ marcus!!!!!!
I have to admit he didnt come to mind but now that it is out there. I could definitely picture him as Aro, I think he would be perfect:) i loved his work in Underworld so it is true that he should be right at home in the fantasy world of Twilight :)I cant wait to see it;)
I think Sheen will be good in the role of Aro. Hes a good actor. the only thing i don't like is that he has already been apart of a big vampire movie. However, they should have choose a different actor for Caius. He does not seem like a young man in the physical sense in the books. If any of them would seem young it would be Marcus because he does not seem to care about any of it really.
I also think they should for the most part stick to unknown actors. It makes the roles more powerful.
i sooooo couldn't see him as Aro. he looks too boring, and he doesnt' look the part at ALL. srry
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