Much earlier on, I posted an article similar to this. However, I felt I had left out a good chunk of important characters due to length. So I’ll be splitting this next article in two. Here is PART ONE of a live-action fan-cast of the manga/anime series Attack on Titan.
Shiganshina
Logan Lerman as Eren Jaeger
Age: 23
Others Considered: Skandar Keynes, Thomas Dekker
This is such an unoriginal choice, but goddamn it, it’s perfect. Logan Lerman is one of Hollywood’s brightest up-and-comers, and he looks this part to a T. I’ll say it again, because I’m not exaggerating: he’s perfect for this part.
Chloe Bennet as Mikasa Ackerman
Age: 22
Others Considered: Maki Horikita, Summer Glau
Before you complain about me “whitewashing” this character, know that Chloe Bennet (Agent Skye from Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) is half-Chinese, as Mikasa is half-Asian. My reason for choosing an American actress for Mikasa, rather than a Japanese one, is mainly because of language concerns. You can't give an English-speaking role to an actress who can't fluently speak English.
Chase Wright Vanek as Armin Arlert
Age: 18
Others Considered: Jack Gleeson, Joel Courtney
This one is a shot in the dark, since I’ve only ever seen Vanek play a young Michael Myers in Rob Zombie’s Halloween II. But he looks like Armin Arlert came to life, so I’d be willing to give him a shot. Hooray for casting on headshots alone.
Jim Caviezel as Dr. Grisha Jaeger
Age: 46
Others Considered: None
He may be best known for playing Jesus in The Passion of the Christ (eck) but he’s a talented actor with just the kind of wise, fatherly presence this character needs. It helps that he looks the part.
Ayelet Zurer as Carla Jaeger
Age: 45
Others Considered: Diane Kruger
I know her best from 2013’s Man of Steel, though she was also in the live-action Halo film Forward Unto Dawn. This role requires an actress capable of delivering some kind of emotional weight, which I thought she did well in Man of Steel. She’s more than talented enough for a small (but significant) role like this.
104th Training Corps
Hunter Parrish as Jean Kirstein
Age: 27
Others Considered: Alfie Allen
Hunter Parrish is best known for his role in Showtime’s Weeds. Jean Kirstein is ... kind of an asshole. But he’s an asshole with a heart, and I think Hunter Parrish would play both sides of that really well. He’s a solid actor and I think he’d make a dynamic character like Jean really endearing to audiences.
Juno Temple as Sasha Blouse
Age: 25
Others Considered: Shailene Woodley
I know the first thing you’re going to say -- “But she’s blonde!!” Yeah, I know. That can be addressed. What matters is that she’s got the perfect quirky charisma for Sasha “Potato Girl” Blouse. Or Braus, depending on what translation you go by.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Connie Springer
Age: 24
Others Considered: Tye Sheridan
Thomas Brodie-Sangster has been on the rise lately with his appearances in Game of Thrones and The Maze Runner. He’s got a really likable on-screen presence, and I think that would work great for a lovable dolt like Connie Springer.
Kristen Stewart as Annie Leonhardt
Age: 24
Others Considered: Dakota Fanning
She’s best known for the Twilight films, but I honestly think her talent was kind of squandered there. Watch Camp X-Ray if you don’t believe me. Besides, look at her “resting bitch face.” Isn’t that face just perfect for bitter, dead-eyed Annie Leonhardt?
Chris Zylka as Reiner Braun
Age: 29
Others Considered: William Mosely, Alex Pettyfer
He played Spider-Man’s high school nemesis Flash Thompson in The Amazing Spider-Man, and has a great sense of physicality to him. I think that’s an important quality for Reiner to have, considering he's the corps' top-ranked cadet behind Mikasa Ackerman. If you want to know more about this character, read the manga. It's worth it.
Jay Baruchel as Bertolt Hoover
Age: 32
Others Considered: Toby Kebbell
Jay Baruchel may be a bit old compared to the rest of the cadets’ actors, but he’s such a talented guy that I think his age could be overlooked. I very nearly went with Toby Kebbell, but switched him out with Baruchel at the last second.
Josh Hutcherson as Marco Bott
Age: 22
Others Considered: None
This is interesting, because it’s giving a relatively big name actor to a relatively minor character. Marco is nonetheless important, and I think the character would really benefit from having a well-known actor playing him. It would also HIGHLIGHT FOR SPOILERS: surprise audiences when he is so casually killed off.
Dakota Fanning as Krista Lenz
Age: 21
Others Considered: Elle Fanning
I originally wanted to put Elle Fanning in this role. She’s perfect, except for one detail: she’s too damn tall. Seriously, she’s 5’8” -- that’s WAY taller than the actress I wanted for Ymir, and that just doesn’t fit for me. So I chose Dakota Fanning, who is her sister. She’s the right height, has the right range of talent, and obviously has similar looks.
Mia Wasikowska as Ymir
Age: 25
Others Considered: None
There's something about this chick that kind of just creeps me out. I can’t really put my finger on it, but I think that quality would be great for the mysterious and self-serving Ymir. I haven’t seen her in anything since Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, and I wonder if she’d be up for starring in another big-budget blockbuster.
That’s all I have for now. Keep an eye out for Part 2, which I’ll hopefully be finishing soon. Until then, comment below and let me know what you think.
Later.