Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - What could have been

Kevy Baby · 04-29-2006, 10:39 AM

While sitting at my computer vegetating, I was reading through Hugh Laurie's biography on IMDb and saw this:

Quote:

Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005), originally wanted [Hugh Laurie] to play Arthur Dent for the film adaptation. A deal was almost in place to have Hugh play Dent, along with Jim Carrey as Zaphod and Jay Roach directing, before Adams's untimely death.

Oh, what a movie that might have been!

Matterhorn Fan · 04-29-2006, 11:27 AM

Jim Carrey? Count me out of the theater for this hypothetical film.

Stan4dSteph · 04-29-2006, 11:29 AM

Hugh Laurie doesn't strike me as being pathetic enough to play Dent.

wendybeth · 04-29-2006, 07:11 PM

Actually, based on some of his Black Adder work, I'd say he would have been pretty perfect. I didn't like the Arthur they wound up with at all- the only casting they got right was Rickman as Marvin.

cstephens · 04-29-2006, 10:35 PM

I liked the guy they cast as Arthur, but I would have hated Jim Carrey in the film.

Alex · 05-01-2006, 08:40 AM

I was fine with all the casting in the movie except Sam Rockwell whom I generally despise. But then I'm not a fan of the book (Adams only wrote one funny book in his life and it was non-fiction) so I'm not emotionally attached to any particular traits, characterisitics, or foibles that may have been added or removed in the adaptation.

Cadaverous Pallor · 05-01-2006, 10:17 AM

Hmm. I don't have the Jim Carrey aversion gene that many do, but I can see how having him in the movie would turn off the Hitchhikers' fanbase.

There was something major that was missing from the movie and I don't know if casting was it.

Gemini Cricket · 05-01-2006, 10:23 AM

The movie was missing something. I'm not sure what it was. It was just kind of bland. I loved the actor from 'The Office' who played Dent. He's hysterical. I also loved Bill Nighy.

I don't know if Jim Carrey would have made it any better. He didn't help 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'.

tracilicious · 05-01-2006, 10:50 AM

I didn't read the books, but I really liked the movie. Arthur was one of the best parts, IMO.

alphabassettgrrl · 05-02-2006, 01:02 PM

Would have been interesting to see Adams' hand in the making, regardless of casting. As it turned out it *was* just kind of dull.

Arthur was well cast. Trillian was hot. Marvin was *very* well cast. I hated the Zaphod head-trick though. Foul. I know it's difficult. I don't care. I wanted to see two heads, side by side, and three arms. He was also poorly cast. Didn't like him at all.

The ship looked pretty good from what I remember. I think it needed more of that wonderful British humor. I think it took itself too seriously.

04-29-2006, 11:27 AM	#2
Matterhorn Fan Double Agent Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Back East Posts: 2,071	Jim Carrey? Count me out of the theater for this hypothetical film.
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04-29-2006, 11:29 AM	#3
Stan4dSteph Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,156	Hugh Laurie doesn't strike me as being pathetic enough to play Dent.
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04-29-2006, 07:11 PM	#4
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	Actually, based on some of his Black Adder work, I'd say he would have been pretty perfect. I didn't like the Arthur they wound up with at all- the only casting they got right was Rickman as Marvin. __________________
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04-29-2006, 10:35 PM	#5
cstephens Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 231	I liked the guy they cast as Arthur, but I would have hated Jim Carrey in the film. __________________ Disneyland Resort trip reports and restaurant reviews and more The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.
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05-01-2006, 08:40 AM	#6
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I was fine with all the casting in the movie except Sam Rockwell whom I generally despise. But then I'm not a fan of the book (Adams only wrote one funny book in his life and it was non-fiction) so I'm not emotionally attached to any particular traits, characterisitics, or foibles that may have been added or removed in the adaptation.
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05-01-2006, 10:17 AM	#7
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Hmm. I don't have the Jim Carrey aversion gene that many do, but I can see how having him in the movie would turn off the Hitchhikers' fanbase. There was something major that was missing from the movie and I don't know if casting was it. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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05-01-2006, 10:23 AM	#8
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	The movie was missing something. I'm not sure what it was. It was just kind of bland. I loved the actor from 'The Office' who played Dent. He's hysterical. I also loved Bill Nighy. I don't know if Jim Carrey would have made it any better. He didn't help 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'.
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05-01-2006, 10:50 AM	#9
tracilicious avatar transition Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in-between Posts: 2,487	I didn't read the books, but I really liked the movie. Arthur was one of the best parts, IMO. __________________ And now Harry, let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure! - Albus Dumbledore
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05-02-2006, 01:02 PM	#10
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	Would have been interesting to see Adams' hand in the making, regardless of casting. As it turned out it was just kind of dull. Arthur was well cast. Trillian was hot. Marvin was very well cast. I hated the Zaphod head-trick though. Foul. I know it's difficult. I don't care. I wanted to see two heads, side by side, and three arms. He was also poorly cast. Didn't like him at all. The ship looked pretty good from what I remember. I think it needed more of that wonderful British humor. I think it took itself too seriously. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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