This is my first attempt at a fan cast, so please bear with me. I know Fables was slated to be a TV series a while back, but that never came to fruition. So instead, I propose making a film based on the first story arc, Legends in Exile. I am casting based on appearance and acting ability. Some characters have small roles in this story arc, but larger ones later so my casting will reflect that. I would like to assume this would be the beginning of a series. All actors would be signed to at least a 5 picture deal. So, here we go:
Main Characters
Bigby Wolf - Benicio Del Toro
Del Toro can act (Wolfman, notwithstanding) and he looks the part. Bigby plays a large role in pretty much the whole series, so we would need an acting heavyweight for this one. Del Toro is a proven actor with the experience needed to play the role.
Snow White - Kate Beckinsale
For the role of Snow White, we need someone who can play the hard nosed deputy mayor as well as the concerned sister, and later, the loving mother. Beckinsale has the beauty and class to pull of the appearance and demeanor of the character and the acting range to play all angles.
Jack of the Fables - Ryan Reynolds
Yes, I know I am in danger of comic book movie overload for Ryan. I'm not sure how I feel about him playing Hal Jordan, but we all know Reynolds has can play the cocky, smart mouthed, know-it-all. He exemplifies Jack of the tales.
Prince Charming - Henry Cavill
Cavill has the looks and can play the arrogant womanizer. I'm pretty sure he was born for this role.
Bluebeard - Billy Zane
Zane can play the smooth talking, yet sinister villain. He has proven he can do physical roles quite well and Bluebeard is frequently shown fencing. Plus, he's already bald!
Rose Red - Rachel Nichols
Nichols showed she could play the perky, happy-go-lucky type during her very brief Star Trek appearance. It wasn't much, but it stuck with me. At this point in the series, that describes Rose's character perfectly. She has a small part in the first story, but a much larger part later.
Boy Blue - Justin Timberlake
I know this pick will get me a lot of hate, but bear with me. Timberlake showed some pretty good acting ability in Southland Tales. The movie was nuts, but he was pretty good and he is perpetually young looking.
King Cole - Jim Broadbent
Broadbent has a great way of just blending into his characters and I think he would bring King Cole to life brilliantly.
Supporting Roles
These are characters that make small appearances in the first arc, but have larger parts later.
Beauty - Ali Larter
Larter looks the part and has a pretty good amount of acting background under her belt.
Beast - Jensen Ackles
Ackles is a fan favorite for many roles, but it would be really cool to see him back and forth through the transformation. Beast tends to be a little more laid back and Ackles can play that part pretty well, too.
Cinderella - Yvonne Strahovski
Playing Cinderella would require someone who can do both the carefree type as well as the ruthless killer. Strahovski plays this type of character to a degree on Chuck, so she shouldn't have any trouble here. She looks the part, can act the part, and I just like to look at her. :)
Flycatcher - Matthew Gray Gubler
I had never really watched Criminal Minds, but it caught my eye one night. As soon as I saw Gubler, I immediately thought of Fly. He looks the part and already plays the sightly socially backward, goofy type of character.
Well, that's it. Let me know what you think.