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From magical wizards to chocolate factory owners, these actors brought our favorite literary characters to life! Join us as we count down our picks for the greatest movie depictions of characters from beloved books. Which actor do you think most perfectly embodied their book counterpart on screen?
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00:00My dear, don't you know? That's Red Butler. He's from Charleston. He has the most terrible reputation.
00:08Welcome to Miss Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the greatest movie depictions of a character from a book.
00:14If I were going to be a writer, I'd go to New York and pursue the stage.
00:20Are you shocked?
00:22Very.
00:24Number 10. Matilda, Mara Wilson
00:27Roald Dahl released one of his most famous novels, Matilda, in 1988, and eight years later, it became a hit movie.
00:35It was directed and co-produced by Danny DeVito, who played Matilda's father.
00:39I'm smart, you're dumb. I'm big, you're little. I'm right, you're wrong. And there's nothing you can do about it.
00:44Both DeVito and his then-wife, Rhea Perlman, do a wonderful job at portraying Matilda's family.
00:50However, DeVito specifically chose Mara Wilson to play the titular character after seeing her acting in other places.
00:57And she ended up stealing the show.
00:59You're a little cheat. You saw the paper.
01:01From all the way over here.
01:05Are you being smart with me?
01:08If you're being smart with me, young lady, you're going to be punished.
01:11Punished for being smart?
01:12Wilson nails the balance of youthful wonder, mischievous moxie, and advanced intellect that defines Matilda as a character.
01:20It's now one of the most beloved Roald Dahl adaptations, and Wilson even won a Young Star Award for how flawlessly she brought the character to life.
01:28I think I got them down. Watch this.
01:43Number 9. Gandalf, Sir Ian McKellen, the Lord of the Rings franchise.
01:48You're late.
01:53A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.
02:02It's virtually impossible to imagine anyone other than Sir Ian McKellen playing the iconic wizard Gandalf.
02:08McKellen does a flawless job bringing him to life, combining all the wonderful traits that make him such a beloved character.
02:15He's wise, kind, and warm, until he needs to be powerful.
02:19And he does a total 180, having more gravitas than anyone on screen.
02:23Over, Baggins!
02:25Do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks.
02:30I am not trying to rob you.
02:38Trying to help you.
02:40Most fans have since found it impossible to re-read the novels without imagining Ian McKellen as Middle-Earth's greatest wizard.
02:47The entire trilogy had flawless casting of all characters, like Viggo Mortensen.
02:52He easily put the most passion into his role as Aragorn, hiking mountains between sets and even breaking his toe for one shot.
02:59I mean, Viggo actually, feeling that pain, he actually turned that into performance.
03:04I mean, he stayed in the character of Aragorn.
03:06He was letting that pain feed and drive his performance, which is pretty amazing.
03:09Number 8.
03:11Lisbeth Salander, Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
03:15In 2011, David Fincher released his adaptation of this 2005 Swedish thriller novel.
03:21Lisbeth Salander is the story's titular character, and she's an incredibly complex character.
03:27She's one of the best investigators I have, as you saw from her report, but I'm concerned you won't like her.
03:35She's different.
03:37In what way?
03:39In every way.
03:40Her remarkable depth is a large reason why the series is so successful.
03:44This put a lot of pressure on whoever was cast as Salander.
03:48Rooney Mara was chosen, and it's unlikely they could have chosen anyone better.
03:52Mara became the star of the show, earning her universal celebration from critics.
04:09It was actually the second adaptation of the character, with Noomi Rapace playing her in an earlier Swedish adaptation.
04:15Many believed Mara did a far better job, and she's since become the definitive depiction of Salander.
04:22What do they say?
04:24If you had to sum it up, they say I'm insane.
04:28No, it's okay, you can nod, because it's true.
04:32I am insane.
04:34Number 7.
04:35Katniss Everdeen, Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games Franchise
04:38First, we have to give praise to this whole film's casting choices.
04:48Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Elizabeth Banks as Effie are perfect, but to us, Katniss sticks out the most.
04:55I volunteer! I volunteer!
04:58I volunteer as tribute.
05:01About 30 actresses auditioned for the role, including many famous names like Emma Roberts.
05:06Director Gary Ross thought his decision was easy, though, and that Lawrence blew the doors off the place.
05:12Lawrence, surprisingly, wasn't as eager to take the role as you might expect.
05:16She had read the books and was a bit overwhelmed by being involved in such a massive project.
05:22After accepting, she then refused to lose weight as she wanted Katniss to be as good a role model as possible.
05:28Thank you for your consideration.
05:32Number 6.
05:33Scott Pilgrim, Michael Cera
05:34Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
05:37Password
05:37Whatever.
05:40Cool.
05:45Second password?
05:49Cool.
05:51Can you imagine literally anyone other than Michael Cera playing Scott Pilgrim?
05:55We personally can't.
05:56Sarah is often cast for his awkwardness, and this makes him an excellent choice for Pilgrim.
06:02The character is completely unsure of himself, and Sarah's performance makes his journey of self-discovery entirely convincing.
06:09You want to fight me?
06:12For her?
06:13No.
06:15I want to fight you for me.
06:17Scott earned the power of self-respect.
06:22Sarah, alongside most of the cast, returned for the 2023 animated adaptation, showing how tied to the character he is.
06:29It's always surprising re-watching this movie, then realizing how many major Hollywood stars were involved.
06:36Sarah arguably isn't even the most famous person involved.
06:39That badge probably goes to Chris Evans, also known as Captain America.
06:44You wouldn't think you'd stand a chance against an A-lister, bro.
06:51Some competition you are.
06:54Number 5.
06:55Joe March
06:56Saoirse Ronan
06:57Little Women
06:58This 19th century novel has been adapted into seven movies since being published.
07:22This means quite a few actors had played the main character, Joe March, before Saoirse Ronan took the part.
07:28In 1994, Winona Ryder became arguably the most famous to portray March, but most agree Ronan gave the definitive performance.
07:37Critics adored her performance so much that she was nominated for multiple awards, including the Oscar for Best Actress.
07:44People have always said that I'm talented.
07:47Oh, I think you're talented, which is why I'm being so blunt.
07:54I can't afford to starve on praise.
07:57She didn't win the Oscar, but she got a bunch of awards from other institutions to comfort her.
08:03Ronan becomes more impressive when you notice how many other talented actors were involved, like Florence Pugh as Amy March.
08:09Yet none stick out like her.
08:11Writing them will make them more important.
08:13When did you become so wise?
08:17I always have been. You were just too busy noticing my faults.
08:20Which were never there, of course.
08:22Number four, Willy Wonka, Gene Wilder, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
08:27If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.
08:35Anything you want to do it.
08:39Want to change the world?
08:42There's nothing to it.
08:46So far, there have been three separate film adaptations of Roald Dahl's famous novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
08:53Many fans believe the first was the definitive Wonka movie.
08:57I'm so glad you could come.
08:59This is going to be such an exciting day.
09:01I hope you enjoy it.
09:03I think you will.
09:04It wasn't a hit at the box office, but it's become ingrained in pop culture.
09:08Gene Wilder's performance is easily a major factor in its success.
09:12He does a remarkable job at playing Wonka, appearing kind and warm, but simultaneously mysterious.
09:19And he can turn sour instantly when a child gets into trouble.
09:22You may be surprised to learn that Dahl hated the casting choice, instead wanting Spike Milligan to play the character.
09:28Well, when does he get it?
09:30He doesn't.
09:31Why not?
09:32Because he broke the rules.
09:35What rules?
09:36We didn't see any rules, did we, Charlie?
09:37Wrong, sir.
09:39Wrong!
09:40Number three, Mr. Darcy.
09:42Colin Firth.
09:43Bridget Jones' Diary.
09:44I thought that you were in America.
09:46Well, yes, I was, but I realized I'd forgotten something back then.
09:54Which was?
09:55Well, I realized I'd forgotten to kiss you goodbye, do you mind?
10:02Mr. Darcy has been considered the ultimate book boyfriend since he first debuted in Jane Austen's 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice.
10:11Among Austen fans, the 1995 BBC miniseries is considered the novel's greatest adaptation, and Colin Firth is the definitive Mr. Darcy.
10:20He was so superb in the role that he was cast to do it all over again in the modern update Bridget Jones' Diary.
10:27I know you're by reputational force.
10:31Ah, Natasha.
10:33This is Bridget Jones.
10:34Bridget, this is Natasha.
10:35Natasha is a top attorney and specializes in family law.
10:39Bridget works in publishing and used to play naked in my paddling pool.
10:42As Mark Darcy, Firth again gets everything exactly right, from his intimidating awkwardness to the charm he buries deep down inside.
10:51In any era and any circumstance, no one else can embody the complicated, infuriating, and endearing Darcy quite like Colin Firth.
10:59What I'm trying to say, very inarticulately, is that, um, in fact, perhaps despite appearances, I like you very much.
11:15Number 2. Annie Wilkes, Kathy Bates
11:18Misery
11:19If you've seen Misery, you may be surprised to learn that in real life, Kathy Bates isn't a terrifying stalker in real life.
11:27This flick is an adaptation of Stephen King's famous horror novel about a writer being kidnapped by an obsessed fan, Annie Wilkes.
11:34I can imagine what you might be thinking of me, but you see, Paul, it's all okay.
11:40Last night, it came so clear.
11:42I realize you just need more time.
11:45Eventually, you'll come to accept the idea of being here.
11:48Interestingly, out of all of King's characters, Wilkes is his favorite.
11:52Bates gave such an amazing performance, she won Best Actress at the Academy Awards.
11:57Let's have a toast.
11:58A toast?
11:59Yes, to, um, to Misery.
12:02Let me pour you some wine.
12:03This was the first Oscar given to a King adaptation, and a surprisingly rare win for a horror movie.
12:09Over three decades later, Wilkes is still considered one of horror's greatest villains, despite having zero supernatural powers.
12:17Now, don't be afraid.
12:20I love you.
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12:37Number 1, Severus Snape
12:40Alan Rickman
12:41Harry Potter Franchise
12:43This series' greatest antagonist is debatably Dolores Umbridge, played by Imelda Staunton, who is one of the most hated characters in fiction.
13:06We also adore the casting of Fred and George Weasley, who feel like they've jumped straight out of the book.
13:12Despite the franchise's almost perfect casting choices, none of them stick out as much as Rickman as Snape.
13:19Understandable. Over the years, I've played my part well. So well, I've deceived one of the greatest wizards of all time.
13:25Fascinatingly, he was actually Rowling's second choice, meaning she could have imagined Rickman as Snape from day one.
13:32Rowling discussed the character with Rickman, leading him to alter his performance based on information no one else on set knew.
13:39The role was initially offered to Tim Roth, who is a talented actor, but we can't imagine anyone other than Rickman as Snape.
13:53What's your favorite casting choice for a book adaptation? Let us know in the comments below!
14:02See you next time!
14:05Backing at Bill Bye!
14:07See you next time!
14:13Deal�!
14:28Bye!
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