Jeremy Irons Takes on the Role of the Ocean
Some actors seem to land the perfect role effortlessly, while others, like Jeremy Irons, might search for years—maybe even decades—before finding a part that truly reflects who they are. Well, here’s some good news: Irons has been cast as the voice of the ocean.
As reported by Variety, this casting comes in the documentary “The People of the Water: The Story of Us,” directed by talented artist Maya de Almeida Araujo. Seems fitting, doesn’t it?
The ocean is indeed powerful and daunting. It can look inviting from a distance, but it has an unsettling emptiness. So, it makes sense that this role should sound like Jeremy Irons; it’s as if the ocean is always lurking with danger.
Who else could fill this role? Kevin Hart? Too squeaky. Jack Black? A bit too over the top. Olivia Colman? Maybe too whimsical. In Orson Welles’ time, he’d have relished playing the ocean, but nobody really wants to hear a self-satisfied sea. Are there other options? Honestly, not really.
I’m not sure how well “The People of the Water” will do, but fingers crossed that it’s a hit. The best-case scenario? It might inspire a range of derivative stories focused on different natural elements and entities. That means a lot more casting decisions to make down the road.
Cloud People: Our Story
Let’s clarify one thing: clouds aren’t merely the sea transferred to the sky. While Jeremy Irons might be the ideal ocean, he’d be a poor choice for a cloud. Clouds need to be lighter and clearer, but the actors voicing them should have the depth to deliver a jarring experience. Can Emily Blunt pull off an appealing cloud? I think so.
Tree People: Our Story
Making a tree come to life isn’t as easy as some might think. John Rhys-Davies did it with “Lord of the Rings,” and Linda Hunt voiced Grandmother Willow in “Pocahontas.” Vin Diesel voiced Groot in “Guardians of the Galaxy.” But representing wood as a concept poses a challenge similar to Irons and the ocean. You need a voice that goes beyond the usual; something almost ethereal. A perfect pick might be Morgan Freeman, but let’s get creative and consider Joe Pera or even the sloth from “Zootopia.”
People with Structural Cracks: Our Story
Portraying a volcano involves navigating two extremes. Typically, volcanoes are quiet and foreboding but can dramatically erupt with chaos. Few actors can embody this duality effectively. That’s why I think the volcano should be voiced by Al Pacino—or, to be more precise, an AI version of Pacino. When it’s quiet, I’d want it to sound like his character in the early scenes of “The Godfather.” When it erupts, let’s use his iconic final scene from “The Devil’s Advocate.”
The Infinite Nothingness of Space: Our Story
The last film in this series would explore the eerie vastness of space, which might be the toughest voice to cast. It needs to embody a cold indifference, booming yet precise. It has to express the essence of life while simultaneously being dispassionate about it. You might wish for a voice that lets out a groan every time Katy Perry tries to penetrate that void. And yes, you could be thinking, “Just say Werner Herzog,” and you’d be spot on.
