Casting the Fables TV Show

By Ryan Riley, Contributor

In my last article I expressed some pessimism at the prospect of ABC handling the adaptation of the Fables comic book series to TV. I'm going to forego all of that negativity this time around and just enjoy the possibility that they could actually do a good job with the series. I'll even give them a little help by engaging in an artform that I enjoy participating in: fanboy movie/TV casting. It is a time-honored fanboy tradition that has been especially prevalent since the movie studios discovered that making movies based on comic books is profitable.

Now I love engaging in discussions at Pulp Fiction with other customers about which actors would be right for a particular character, but what I really enjoyed was a feature that Wizard Magazine used to have called the "Wizard Casting Call". It was a segment where the writing staff would put their heads together and place actors & actresses in comic book roles that would suit them based on their physical appearance and/or facets of their body of work. I enjoyed it so much that when I worked at SquareSoft and worked on the company newsletter, I did a couple of similar articles that were based on the "Final Fantasy" games. So when I saw that Robert Meeks was writing similar articles (with the help of his cohorts at Geoffrey's Comics), I thought to myself "Why should he have all the fun?"

It would take an inordinate amount of time to cast every single character from the extraordinary ensemble that make up the cast Fables, so I went with the most prominent characters in the series. If you fine people think that I left anyone important out or if you feel that your choice of actors is more on the money, I want to hear about it. Leave some feedback below and drop some science on me!

Without any further ado, here are my casting choices for the "Fables" TV series:

Bradley Cooper as Bigby Wolf

Bigby Wolf is the shorthand name for the Big Bad Wolf, best known for menacing the Three Little Pigs and Red Riding Hood. These days he spends most of his time in human form as the sheriff of Fabletown, but is able to revert back to his original form when the need arises. Bradley Cooper ("Yes Man") has played a variety of roles, but his demeanor and penetrating gaze (not to mention his shaving habits) give him the right look for the part of Bigby. Just give him some cigarettes and let him chew up the scenery and the bad guys.

Emily Deschanel as Snow White

Snow White serves officially as Fabletown's deputy mayor under mayor Old King Cole. But since she handles all of the real work of running the New York community of disenfranchised Fables, she pretty much runs the joint. Emily Deschanel definitely resembles the raven-haired princess, and has a similar demeanor in her role as Dr. Temperance Brennan on the show "Bones". She would be the perfect person to throw her weight around in Fabletown.

Josh Holloway as Jack of the Tales

They call this guy "Jack of the Tales" because there have been so many different stories he's been a part of (Jack & The Beanstalk, Jack Frost, etc.). This handsome rogue has gotten himself into (and out of) many a jam in those tales and in the mundane world. As Sawyer on the show "Lost", Josh Holloway has mastered both the cocky attitude and the propensity for getting into trouble needed to properly bring Jack to life. He can also pull double-duty as Wicked John, Jack's doppelganger introduced in the spinoff series Jack of Fables should the network play their cards right.

Zooey Deschanel as Rose Red

Rose Red is the hard-partying, free-spirited twin sister of Snow White. After years of estrangement, she mends fences with Snow and takes over as director of the Farm, the sanctuary for non-human Fables. Zooey Deschanel ("Yes Man") has a knack for playing this type of character, and she's related to my Snow White actress to boot. Just cut her hair, dye it red and let her work.

Eric Szmanda as Boy Blue

Boy Blue is the perpetually optimistic office manager of Fabletown. He is perfectly content to be an office drone, but has reservoirs of courage and anger to draw on when his friends are threatened. Let's just say it's lucky for Andrew Dice Clay that Blue didn't take his "Little Boy Blue" joke personally, because his having the Witching Cloak and Vorpal Sword in his possession could have meant his ass. Eric Szmanda's portrayal of Greg Sanders on "CSI" jibes pretty well with this character, and it doesn't hurt his case that he is still very young-looking. Szmanda is one actor that won't have us playing the blues as Boy Blue.

Joel David Moore as Flycatcher

Flycatcher is the former Frog Prince of legend, and now serves as the janitor of Fabletown. This character is both the most endearing and most tragic of all the Fables in exile, so an extremely versatile actor is needed. Joel David Moore ("Dodgeball") has both the comedic and dramatic chops to play this innocent-yet-tortured soul, and the resemblance is uncanny.

Jamie Bamber as Prince Charming

Prince Charming is the handsome hero responsible for saving Snow White, Briar Rose (a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty) and Cinderella from peril and/or drudgery long ago. Unfortunately, all three ladies found out that he was a bit of a cad when it came to being monogamous, and divorced him shortly thereafter. Nevertheless, he is a superb warrior and able leader in battle. As Apollo on "Battlestar Galactica", Jamie Bamber is cut from a similar mold. While not nearly as much of a womanizer as Charming, Apollo definitely puts his combat boots on over feet of clay. Just let Bamber amplify those traits as Charming and he'll work out nicely.

Malin Ackerman as Cinderella

The third and last of Prince Charming's ex-wives, Cinderella escaped from her homeland and currently owns and operates a shoe store called "The Glass Slipper". But this former princess leads a double life moonlighting as one of the Tourists, a formidable group of spies answerable only to the sheriff of Fabletown. Imagine a female version of James Bond that has had centuries to perfect the spy game and you've got an idea what Cindy is capable of. Malin Ackerman ("Watchmen") has the ass-kicking chops and acting skill to properly portray the ultimate fairy-tale superspy.

Brian Cox as Old King Cole

When Fabletown was founded, there was only one Fable well-respected enough to assume leadership as mayor, and that was King Cole. Cole is mostly a hands-off leader who assumes the more ceremonial responsibilities of leadership while leaving Snow White to handle the administrative work. He has become a bit too complacent in his leadership role as the years have progressed, but no one could deny that his heart is in the right place. Brian Cox ("X2 - X-Men United") looks a lot like the beloved Fabletown leader and is an experienced actor, so he'll do just fine.

Cloris Leachman as Frau Totenkinder

The enigmatic Frau Totenkinder was the Black Forest witch that lured Hansel & Gretel into her gingerbread house in order to kill them. Unlike the other Fables in exile, this powerful witch revels in the fact that she is largely unknown among the inhabitants of the mundane world. Despite her villainous past, she protects her fellow Fabletown residents from the machinations of the Adversary. Cloris Leachman plays a similar character as Malcolm's grandmother in "Malcolm In The Middle", so this role would just let her play a similar character with magical powers.

Ryan Reynolds as Lord Beast

Beast was the prince that was cursed with the appearance of an animal until someone loved him for his inner beauty. He is a laid back soul that keeps his cool even though he suffers the re-emergence of his curse whenever his wife Beauty gets ticked at him. Ryan Reynolds ("Van Wilder") exudes a sense of calm even as he is thrust into ludicrous situations in many of his films, so the only difference in this role is his ability to transform into the Beast.

Amanda Righetti as Lady Beauty

Beauty is the woman whose love initially broke the hold of her husband Beast's curse. Unfortunately, due to the constant fights with him about finances her mood toward him brings back the curse to a certain extent. Amanda Righetti ("The Mentalist") definitely has the look and the mercurial attitude to pull off this role.

That's all for now

Like I said before, this article could go on for ages before all the characters get cast. And casting some characters would spoil some major secrets, like the identity of the Adversary. I'd rather save those little plot twists for the folks that haven't read the book yet, although I'd like to hear from you readers about any casting choices you might have. Just leave your comments in the feedback box below.