New feature: Film Fantasy Friday

So, lots of blogs have weekly features--thematic postings which happen on the same day every week. I have decided to add my dear Picaresque to the ranks of these blogs with the all-new, singing, dancing Film Fantasy Friday, during which I will cast a book-to-movie film of my choosing. As a fan of science fiction, fantasy, and comics, I have to deal with lots of movies being made out of reading material that I enjoy. Generally I have lots of opinions on how these are created and, of course, who is in them. Mostly it ends up that I should've cast them. Duh.

So, without further blather, I present the first Film Fantasy Friday: the cast of Lioness Rampant. Based on the last book of the Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce, Lioness Rampant will feature a broad ensemble cast. The major players are listed below.


Alanna "the Lioness" of Trebond and Olau: played by Bryce Dallas Howard, Alanna is the King's Champion, the first lady knight in a hundred years, and an all-around badass.

Prince Jonathan of Conte: played by Milo Ventimiglia, Jonathan was formerly Alanna's lover. He is next in line for Tortall's throne, but does not yet have the support of his people, and is being undermined by his crazy risen-from-the-dead cousin. Alanna intends to help by finding the fabled Dominion Jewel and gifting it to Jonathan at his coronation.


Lady Delia of Eldorne: played by Emma Stone, Delia is one bad bitch. Jonathan's former and Roger's current mistress, she is ultimately imprisoned for treason.

Duke Roger of Conte: played by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Roger was killed by Alanna but raised from the dead by her twin brother, Thom. This is bad news for everyone involved, since Roger was deadly before but is now also nuts and hell-bent on destroying the kingdom of Tortall!




Lord Thom of Trebond: played by Paul Bettany, Thom is Alanna's twin brother and a powerful sorcerer--powerful enough to perform necromancy. As you may imagine, things don't end well for him.

George Cooper, the Rogue: played by Eric Bana, George is Alanna's beloved (ultimately; she has a few, as we will see), as well as being the king of the thieves of Tortall's capital. His title is the Rogue. He is, in a word, awesome.

Princess Josiane Rittevon of the Copper Isles: played by Evan Rachel Wood, Josiane is in league with Delia and Roger. She is also a foreign princess from a notably batshit family (of whom we may see more in future films).

Liam Ironarm, the Shang Dragon: played by Zack Ward, Liam is arguably the most dangerous fighter in the Eastern and Southern Lands, barehanded or with weapons. He travels with Alanna on her quest to find the Dominion Jewel and they briefly become lovers. He embodies the adage about living by the sword.

Thayet jian Wilima: played by Catherine Zeta-Jones Salma Hayek, Thayet is the daughter of a hated warlord and is halfblood, her mother being a native (K'miri) princess of her land. She is so beautiful that eventually her nickname will be "The Peerless". She and her bodyguard and best friend (see below) escape with Alanna into Tortall, where Thayet is introduced to Jonathan.

Burirarm Tourakom: played by Zuleikha Robinson, Buri is Thayet's bodyguard and oldest friend. She is a full-blooded K'miri warrior and a ferocious fighter.

And that's how Diana casts it! All images pulled from Google and Wikipedia.