In 2012, artist Brian J. Davis started a project called The Composites. Using a law-enforcement sketch software called FACES, Davis builds images of iconic literary characters from the authors’ descriptions. Whether comparing the results to your own imagining or Hollywood casting, you may be amazed or dismayed.
Here are some visually accurate castings based on book descriptions. Check out the composite and the casting of American God’s, Mr. Wednesday.
Pretty good, right? Hannibal Lecter has been played by a number of actors over the years. I think the TV version did it best. Mads Mikkelsen, on the far right, has some definite facial similarities to the composite. Anthony Hopkins, not so much.
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Other characters we’ve seen on film look nothing like their creators intended. Did you read The Outsiders in high school? Dallas Winston is described as having an elfish face, hair so blond it’s white and pale features. Check out the composite and the casting for the 1983 movie.
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Many handsome men have played James Bond over the years.
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However, Ian Fleming described him as a much less attractive man that you may not have wanted to watch in 26 films.
I could share more images like Count Dracula, Brienne of Tarth and Stephen King’s Carrie, but you can go see them all here. Mr. Davis also takes suggestions. I strongly advise you to inundate him with requests for various Outlander characters.
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Whether the sketches disturb you because they don’t match your vision, verify that casting directors got it so wrong, or confirm what you always thought, viewing The Composites is a fascinating way to spend an afternoon.
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