Rochester and Jane Eyre?

Question

They've made so many adpatations of this great novel.

But who would be your ultimate dream actors to play the two main characters?

Also, does anyone else think that Clive Owen was BORN to play Heathcliffe in Wuthering Heights or is it just me??!

whoops - a typo - its mean to say "adaptations" sorry!

I see Clive Owen as more of a Heathcliffe, but I can see him as Rochester too! He's so brooding! People in the UK might remember him in "Precious Bane" - another classical novel adaptation - on the BBC in the late 80s.

MizzBee - Heath Ledger = StJohn Rivers.

Alan Rickman would be a fantastic Rochester! Good choice!!!

Answer 1

I think Clive Owen is a good choice, it's a while since I read it can't think of a Jane Eyre, no one immediately springs to mind.

Answer 2

I agree with your assessment that Heath Ledger would make a better St. John. As to Rochester: I think Clive Owen is too good looking for the part, though he would probably do a good job of it. In fact, I could see him as St. John (he's a good enough actor for the role). Though he's too good looking as well, I would say Hugh Jackman would be a good Rochester. Joaquin Phoenix would be another actor that could do a very good job, though I'm not sure how well he'd do a British accent. (I could also see Colin Firth or Jeremy Northam in the part.) As to Jane, herself: Anna Paquin would be a good choice - if she can do the accent.

BTW: there was a very good adaptation of Jane Eyre by BBC in 1983 starring Timothy Dalton as Mr. Rochester and Zelah Clarke as Jane Eyre.

I don't know that I think Clive Owen was BORN to play Heathcliffe, but he'd do it well.

Answer 3

I think Natalie Portman would make an amazing Jane because she has that innocence and loveliness about her. Sean Bean would be a brilliant Mr. Rochester.. yum. But also I think Bill Nighy would make a pretty good one too.
As for Clive Owen being Heathcliffe.. you should be a casting director or whatever they're called - you're so right!

Answer 4

Joaquin Phoenix for Rochester, Heath Ledger for St John. Both in 5 or 10 years' time when they're roughed up a bit. And whatever new French-looking slightly gauche starlet is knocking around at the time.

Answer 5

Colin Firth as Heathcliff (following on from his role as Darcy in Pride and Prejudice) - forget the image many of you may have from the Bridget Jones films.
Agree Alan Rickman would make a good Rochester.

Answer 6

James Purefoy or Hugo Weaving as Rochester, Samantha Morton as Jane - would definitely agree with Heath Ledger as St John.

Answer 7

I actually posted this on the MuchMusic boards when I was posting, and someone suggested Alan Rickman as Rochester, and Winona Ryder as Jane. This after people made fun of my previous choices: Vin Diesel as Rochester and Mariah Carey as Jane, and Tyler Connelly (lead singer of Theory of a Deadman) as Rochester (he certainly looked the part back them with his moustache) and Jennifer Love Hewitt as Jane

But now that I think about it, if they had done Jane Eyre in the style of recent adaptations of Romeo + Juliet and Great Expectations, I would've cast Bruce Willis as Rochester and Melanie "Sporty Spice" Chisholm as Jane.

Answer 8

I definitely like Alan Rickman as Mr Rochester but cannot think of a Jane.

Answer 9

That's crazy because when I started reading your question I thought of Clive Owen. After watching XMen I think maybe Hugh Jackman could pull it off. As for Jane, I think Natalie Portman or Anna Paquin would be good.

Answer 10

charles bronson for rochester as for jane dame judi dench neither of these actors are pretty or hansome but both can play hard character roles which rochester and jane portray in the book.