I'm not thrilled about the new IWTV casting, but I think we should be willing to give it a chance as a spin off/another take/fanfic. I say that because Antonio Banderas was so different from book Armand, and yet I loved it. To be fair, I saw the movie before I read the book (wouldn't have read it otherwise), and I fully admit I was let down by book Armand, he didn't have the presence and etherealness I thought he should have. So maybe, it will make some characters work better for some people.
I am 100% with you on this, Anon. I'm also not thrilled about the new IWTV casting for many reasons, but I'm willing to give it a chance as a spin off/another take/fanfic! I'm not saying everyone else has to feel this way, that's just my feeling on it. I still want more graphic novels, really 😊
AND, the movie was your gateway to the series, so, the other Anon's concern about that, see, your experience confirmed what I said, that the adaptations can be advertising for the books.
[X by @pondmelody]
When I first read IWTV, which was my intro experience to the series, I didn't get the impression that Armand was as young as he's depicted in canon later on, in TVL he's described as much younger than in IWTV, if I recall correctly. In IWTV, it's mentioned that he has auburn hair, but that also comes in a wide range of shades, and at the time, I imagined it as pretty dark with auburn highlights. So seeing Antonio Banderas play Armand as being older, with dark hair (no auburn highlights, oh well) fit just fine for me. His acting was more important to me than his appearance, and I really enjoyed him.
And you're right, Antonio brought a lot of depth to the role, I bought that he was the world's oldest vampire, he did have that etherealness, the presence, and that voice! And in moments where I find myself reliving some past regret that's unproductive to dwell on, I can still hear him say, "We must be powerful, beautiful, and without regret."
Adding: I think most people agree that Aaliyah was an amazing Akasha and she didn't match the canon description, but her acting, her costume, it was believable as the queen of all vampires, with her deranged mission, almost fully divorced from any shred of humanity.
Maybe it will make some characters work better for some people!
