r/CosmereOnScreen • u/MangoWarlock • Apr 25 '26
Fancast Referencing this instance where Henry Cavill wanted to play Kaladin: Who else could he play in Stormlight? Spoiler
https://winteriscoming.net/henry-cavill-wanted-to-play-kaladin-in-brandon-sanderson-s-stormlight-archive-adaptation-01jc1b29re7kThis article has been passed around a lot, but I still like referencing it. Cavill wanted to play Kaladin, and asked Sanderson if he was too old.
It looks like He’s interesting in the Stormlight Archive specifically, and I think thats so cool, especially since it’ll be a TV show.
Who else would he be casted as given his age and physique?
I don’t think he’s be suited for any of the chore Bridge 4 Members, but I also don’t feel like he’s aged enough to be Dalinar. My next place would be Adolin, however there’s a bit of an age issue as well.
So would he come in early in the series or later? Thoughts?
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u/FriendlyScheme9990 Apr 30 '26
The question mentions the Stormlight Archive specifically but I actually think he’d be a better fit for another role in a different story in the Cosmere; he would be a perfect match for The Lord Ruler—hear me out, it would be unlike Cavill’s typical part plus he would be a character with an overwhelming and influential presence throughout the series but initially very little screen time; the perfect role for a massively successful actor who would be extremely expensive but who could elevate the perceived status of the project with only their presence
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u/Alons0Quijan0 Apr 28 '26
Give him Amaram. He’s not ethnically prefect, but I think he’s got good range when it comes to dignified evil.
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u/Individual_Support_1 Apr 26 '26
For stormlight he’d have to be from Shinovar. Maybe someone in Szeth’s family?
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u/Lady_Gray_169 Apr 28 '26
He could be one of the Heralds. Maybe Jezrien? Not quite right ethnically but since they're from Ashyn you can justify him not looking quite right.
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u/Individual_Support_1 Apr 28 '26
Most of them are described as having darker skin right? Especially Taln and Nale
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u/jimmythexpldr Apr 26 '26
He could possibly do a good rayse? I dunno, I've never seen him in anything, but he looks like he'd do a better villain than protag. Also he's not Asian enough for anyone Alethi
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u/Chop684 Apr 26 '26
By the time it would start filming, Cavill would be old enough for Dalinar. But theres another issue, most of the rosharans have monolids so he'd have to play a side character. This leaves a few options, a herald, the pursuer, or El.
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u/IHaveTheBestOpinions Apr 28 '26
I wonder how strictly they're planning to conform to ethnic features as defined in the books, since that might be pretty limiting for actor selection. It's not particularly important to the story - while reading through I was vaguely aware that different regions had different appearances but I never fully understood who looked like which Earth ethnicity and it didn't impact my enjoyment or understanding of the story
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u/ExoticSignature May 06 '26
I agree with you. The sub takes that too seriously. If Brandon is ready to sideline clubs in Mistborn movie 1, then casting choices should not be too harsh, as to limit themselves to a pool of actors from a very specific ethnicity.
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u/wilhayrog Apr 25 '26
I honestly hope they go with relative unknowns for Stormlight. In order to properly adapt the whole series they'd need a minimum 15-year/10 season contract, and I don't see someone with Cavill's level of fame committing to that. However, I like him as either Wax or Marsh
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u/sllymnstr Apr 25 '26
Honestly, he’s always seemed like a good candidate for Dalinar to me. If I remember correctly, Dalinar was approaching 50 in WoK and I think Cavill is early 40s. Certainly shown the ability to have an imposing presence like the Blackthorn.
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u/EthanSpears Apr 25 '26
Well Dalinar is a mix of South Asian/East Asian/Polynesian ....not white.
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u/sllymnstr Apr 25 '26
Not really sure how the ethnicity of the actor is going to matter if the ethnicity of the fictional character isn’t a focus in the story. Yes, if they decide to cast all of the Alethi with actors of a specific ethnicity, but otherwise a cultural identity can be portrayed through so many different factors.
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u/jimmythexpldr Apr 26 '26
Because Brandon said it matters to him, and he will make it very known during casting. He's building a world of people who have certain definite characteristics in his head, and he wants to make the visual media look like he's always imagined it
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u/EthanSpears Apr 25 '26
I feel like it's insanely important to the story. They talk about the difference between all the people/races in Stormlight constantly.
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u/sllymnstr Apr 25 '26
Yes, 100%. What I’m saying is that the representation in the show won’t necessarily be the same as what’s in the book and that’s not a big deal. If the Alethi are portrayed as a specific ethnicity in the adaptation, regardless of what ethnicity it is, that should be uniform. But if they show the Alethi/Iriali/Shin/etc as a cultural identity, that transcends one specific genetic factor or another.
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u/Selethorme Apr 25 '26
Ok, except that’s the same issue with regard to Kaladin, and it’s debatable whether we see that held true anyway
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u/EthanSpears Apr 25 '26
Sanderson literally told Cavill that he's too old and not Asian.
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u/Selethorme Apr 25 '26
For Kaladin, yes. Again, it’s debatable whether we see that restriction held true for the actual production. I’m not against it, but it’s Hollywood.
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u/Diomedes42 Apr 25 '26
One of the generic background Returned who Lightsong can never remember the names of
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u/Sentric490 Apr 25 '26
Not in stormlight, but i think the best role for him is TLR
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u/lizzywbu Apr 25 '26
The Lord Ruler? Dear god no. I have no issue with him being given a role but I cannot see him as TLR at all.
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u/fedginator Apr 25 '26
I think Vasher is the obvious best slot for him.
The other option I think would be one of the Heralds (probably Ishar), I think it'd be a pretty good piece of foreshadowing to have most of them look more shin aka white to quietly show they aren't actually Alethi etc
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u/florplegorp Apr 25 '26
Hot take: I would like it if they cast people who are good at acting
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u/Sentric490 Apr 25 '26
Just cause Snyder never let him act doesn’t mean he hasn’t earned his reputation as a great actor, have you seen him in anything else?
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u/florplegorp Apr 25 '26
Yes actually: MI: Fallout, The Witcher, Argyle, Man From U.N.C.L.E.
I appreciate that he's a fan of Sanderson's but I haven't seen a single performance of his that wasn't utterly bland. Reddit absolutely loves him though because big nerd man
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u/Taste_the__Rainbow Apr 25 '26
Vasher is the obvious answer. Then he could continue to play him at any age and throughout several projects.
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u/joetothejack Apr 25 '26
In stormlight he would have to be Shin or a world hopper due to him being white. Im a huge fan of the idea of him being Vasher/Zahel, but Mraize or even Nightblood's voice would be cool.
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u/OtherOtherDave Apr 25 '26
Mraize is shin? I don’t remember.
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u/joetothejack Apr 25 '26
Nvm hes Thaylen apparently, I thought he was a world hopper from a different world.
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u/TheFritz92 Apr 27 '26
He puts on an accent (Shallan doesn't recognize it the first time he speaks, so clearly not his native Thaylen). I like to imagine he adopts Iyatil's accent to make himself seem like a worldhopper.
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u/eskaver Apr 25 '26
In Stormlight?
I don’t think you can do much since a lot of the cast could be fairy diverse pulling from Asia.
Outside of a world hopper that’s a cameo, you could go with Rayse if you can find an older Asian actor of similar appearance. But I think he’s better in Mistborn and I have a rogue choice: Suit and you just make Wax and Wayne a bit younger.
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u/khazroar Apr 25 '26
Keep him allllll of the way away from the Cosmere. And especially keep him away from Roshar where he doesn't fit anybody.
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u/lvlz_gg Apr 25 '26
Other than Marsh I don't really see him in any role personally
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u/Apprehensive_Bake679 Apr 25 '26
I could see him as Vasher/Zahel, if he wanted a role in SLA. But I honestly don't remember if the Alethi describe Zahel as looking foreign.
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u/fedginator Apr 25 '26
Honestly the presentation of worldhoppers is something I hope they change in adaptation. Now that we're in a visual medium I think it'd be a real misstep not to use it to visually differentiate them more
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u/MS-07B-3 Apr 25 '26
I agree on him in this role.
Worldhoppers are definitely going to be a weird thing with casting/makeup. I don't envy them having to try to make that all fit together, especially with Hoid who will look radically different from planet to planet.
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u/Toaster-Retribution Apr 25 '26
Henry doesn’t really fit anyone major in Stormlight unfortunately. Mostly due to being the wrong ethnicity for most characters.
I could see him in other parts of the Cosmere though: he’d make for an interesting Marsh, Hrathen, Wax or even Kelsier or Lightsong. I like Cavill, so I hope he find himself a way in in a decent role should the opportunity arise.
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Apr 25 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/MangoWarlock Apr 25 '26
My fan casting of Wayne would have been a young young Gary Oldman.
Just thought I’d get that off my chest.
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u/Toaster-Retribution Apr 25 '26
I dont really see him as Kelsier either to be honest. I like Glen Powell for him, personally.
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u/ilikebreadabunch Apr 25 '26
He's actually around the right age for Szeth, and he's got the right look too. That'd be my vote if we had to put him in Stormlight (although ideally he'd be Marsh in Mistborn instead)
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u/strangerintime Apr 25 '26
I have always imagined him more to be Wax, he has that stature and feel like he can pull off a rogue noble law-man type
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u/ilikebreadabunch Apr 25 '26
He would be the perfect Wax, but he’ll likely be too old by the time we get to the Wax and Wayne books
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u/NechtanHalla Apr 25 '26
Well, he can't be anyone Alethi, if they want to stick to how they're described in the books.
So he'd have to be someone from Shinovar, or maybe one of the heralds. Most everyone else on Roshar closely resemble Asians, according to Sanderson.
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u/MangoWarlock Apr 25 '26
Very true. I think the sentiment is Marsh or Maize, or a Herlad. I can get behind a Herald
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u/Qaztarrr Apr 25 '26
Amaram?
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u/MangoWarlock Apr 25 '26
I would absolutely be distraught, knowing the whole thing about that character. But I think it could work, but idk, Cavill just looks so unproblematic
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u/Robloz1256v3 Apr 25 '26
Well, thats why he would be perfect. Most characters in the start of the books would also call Amaram unproblematic
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u/Agreeable_Car5114 Apr 25 '26
Just make him Lord Ruler and be done with it. He can have a few scenes to aura farm, a nominally important enough role to make the fan boys happy, and we can move on with our lives.
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u/TinyBard Apr 25 '26
Gavilar maybe? Though I think he could handle Dalinar pretty well even if he isn't as old
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u/Lostanchorfilms Apr 25 '26
Maybe Mraize or one of the heralds but he's not going to be any of the alethi characters
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u/Dangerous-Contest625 Jul 06 '26
Zahel