Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse : Who Should be Cast Alongside Eliza Dushku?
A full list of character concepts has been posted for Joss Whedon’s new show for Fall of 08: Dollhouse. It will be a one hour show, and be on Fox. The show stars Eliza Dushku, who played Faith on the cult-classic Whedon show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. You may have seen me reference the show, and Joss, one or five million times on Sofachip. That’s because I know quality. Seriously. I knew from the start that Uggs were stupid. (If I want to wear marshmallows on my feet, I’ll just put some real marshmallows on my feet and save two hundred dollars.)
The only casting choice we know has been confirmed is Miss Eliza Dushku. So let’s play casting director, shall we?
Adelle DeWitt
40 something, any ethnicity, beautiful, sophisticated, cold as an alp. Runs the Dollhouse with an efficiency that is both ruthless and protective. Would die before she showed anyone how lonely she is. Series Regular;
How about… Mira Sorvino? Or Portia de Rossi? I loved her on Arrested Development and Ally McBeal. She might be too pretty, though. Ha, how’s that for a problem? For a brunette, what about Courtney Cox? Forget Monica Gellar of Friends, think of Gale Weathers from Scream.
Paul Smith
30s, any ethnicity, good-looks hardened by a cynical distaste for most of humanity. An FBI field agent, he’s been chasing the urban myth of the “Dollhouse” long enough to have lost any shot at promotion. Becomes obsessed with, and twisted romantic foil for, Echo. Series Regular;
How about… Paul Rudd? I’ve basically had a crush on him since I saw Clueless. I think he’d be perfect. He unfairly attractive, but has too much personality to seem dumb in any role. Another guy I’d like to see in this part is Ethan Hawke (kind of my all-time crush since forever, or at least since I saw Dead Poets Society and then Reality Bites). A tiny bit too old for Eliza? Psh. She’d kiss him.
Topher Brink
20’s, any ethnicity, genius programmer who’s articulate, nerdily attractive and blithely amoral. He’s responsible for imprinting the dolls - and making sure they stay unaware of anything. Is fascinated by the science and kind of digging the illegality. Fun to be around, but might not be remotely trustworthy. Series Regular;
How about… Joshua Jackson? I think he would be amazing and I would love to have him back on TV. I also happen to love his personality from seeing him in interviews and such - which makes me want to endorse him more. Plus - Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer did reference Pacey (Josh) from Dawson’s Creek…so uh…well, that doesn’t matter, but I am full of facts like that. 
I have other suggestions, too…maybe Shia LaBeouf? Adam Brody is too obvious a choice. Although, it would be nice to give Oliver Hudson (Kate Hudson’s brother) a part in a TV show that doesn’t fail (see: Rules of Engagement, The Mountain, My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star). Or maybe he’s cursed? Eh…we better not risk it. Plus, his hair is kind of too leading-manly. Seth Green would also be great. How can you not love Seth Green? Seriously, tell me. But… is he a bit too old to play this part? So is Matthew Lillard (my first big celebrity crush) - sigh. Whoever plays this has to have a lot of fun with the role, but I think also must be able to pull off a more devious side.
Okay, and you know who else would be perfect x 100? Casey Affleck. I’ve had a crush on him for years and years. People used to think I was joking when I said that I liked Casey over Ben. He has more poetic eyes, okay?
Thomas Cavanagh is too old for this part, but boy do I miss Love Monkey.
Is it kind of obvious I have a thing for slightly nerdy guys? I bet you’re surprised I didn’t mention Zach Braff. …Add him to the list.
Sierra
20’s, Asian or any ethnicity - certainly not Caucasian. Strikingly beautiful. A Doll like Echo, she has every personality in the world but her own. Is not as self-aware as Echo, but is instinctively drawn to her as a friend. Series Regular;
How about… Wei Tang? She not really too old for the part (born in 1979) and I think she could work it. She is definitely beautiful, with an engaging face.
Boyd Langton
Late 40s-60, any ethnicity, gruff, about to make the descent from ‘good-looking’ to ‘fatherly’. An ex-cop, Boyd is Echo’s ‘handler’ - her guard/bodyguard. Hates himself for taking this job, bu he’d lay down his life to protect the people he feels he’s exploiting. Series Regular;
How about… Chris Noth? Wait, even better - can we get George Clooney to come back to TV? Okay, he has to do it. Call his people.
If you have your own suggestions for any of the parts, comment and let me know! Here are three parts I couldn’t cast, can you?
Victor
20’s, any ethnicity, handsome and fit. A Doll, and the other closest thing to a friend Echo has. Childlike when he’s inactive, and everything from Errol Flynn to (young) DeNiro when he’s active. Series Regular;
November
20’s, any ethnicity, beautiful and heavy. Another Doll, a hopeful child in the house and everyone else you need her to be outside. A comforting, radiant presence, who tends to get fewer of the criminal gigs and more of the personal ones. Recurring; Edit: How about Amy Adams, if she puts on weight? Not 500 lbs, just some.
Dr. Claire Saunders
30-60, attractive, smart and a little sad. Looks after the physical well-being of the dolls. Has an acid wit that she usually reserves for Topher, who may only be kidding about being smitten with her. (Or he may not). Recurring.
Until later,
Jessica Rae
Considering what a huge Whedonverse fan I am I’ll be writing about this show and reviewing it as it airs. So, if you liked this piece and want to read more about Dollhouse, go on and subscribe to Sofachip via the main page.
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About the Author: Your above-average sweet, smart, and snarky Girl Friday. Impeccable taste. Analytical. Liberal. Friend to animals. Always found in cute shoes.
Donnie | Mar 10, 2008 | Reply
I wouldn’t call it dream casting, but yes, I thought about people who I would cast. But to be honest, entirely new faces who I’ve never seen before would be preferable.
I’ll still write about the people which came to my mind though.
For Adelle I kinda thought of Stephanie Romanov, but honestly I’d prefer someone who is a little bit older in that particular role, though she’s about to become 40. Then I thought about Julie White who once had a recurring role on “Six Feet Under” and totally nailed that part. She’s over 50, but for that part I kinda prefer an actress who’s older, since it would underline the differences between the dolls and the character who runs the dollhouse. Julie White would also be available since her pretty bad sitcom “Cavemen” won’t come back next season.
For the part of Paul, I’d like to have an actor who’s in his mid-thirties or at least looks a bit older than Eliza. Because if he looked as young as Eliza, I wouldn’t buy that he’s an FBI agent, he certainly could be a rookie, but from released descriptions it looks like he has been an agent for a while already. Paul Rudd sounds cool somehow, mostly because it would be a huge departure from his usual roles. I also like the idea of Jonny Lee Miller, but he’s working on “Eli Stone”. Clayne Crawford would also be a choice, who is close to Eliza’s age, but looks at least convincing for that part, though I don’t know if he has the acting chops to pull it off.
For Topher I kinda thing about someone who’s a bit nerdy, but not too young. Jonathan Woodward would be perfect or Jonathan Sadowski (whose guest appearance on “Chuck” I enjoyed last year). I also like the idea of Seth Green, though he’s a bit too old, although he certainly looks young. Ben Foster would be cool as well, but that guy has a movie career going on.
Sierra, I know Joss wants someone who’s not Caucasian, but I thought of Rachel Nichols or Alexa Davalos (though Alexa Davalos would probably work, since she does seem to have a different ethnicity. Besides, I don’t really know any Asian actresses who would work in that role (or are available).
Boyd. I’d say Mark Sheppard, but he looks too sneaky. I like Victor Garber, but again, he’s working on “Eli Stone”. Forest Whitaker would be a long shot, mostly because he is a movie star. I also doubt that Kevin Spacey would work for television.
Victor. If this character would only need looks, then I’d probably go with Matthew Bomer, Kuno Becker or Mike Vogel. But this character needs a good actor who can do it all. That’s why I am not sure whether the above mentioned would be up to the task. Ryan Gosling or Ryan Reynolds would be awesome as well, but they are already established movie stars who probably won’t do television again.
November. No idea, since I know mostly of anorexic looking Hollywood chicks. But some America Ferrera kind of girl would be great (though America has lost a lot of weight).
As for Claire Sanders, I’d once again mention Stephanie Romanov. I guess that part would be better for her than the part of Adele.
But just like I mentioned in the beginning, I’d prefer faces I’ve never seen before.
JessicaRae | Mar 10, 2008 | Reply
Hey Donnie. I think you hit the key reason I neglected to even think of myself - what we’re hoping for, at least me and you, is to see a cast of new people. A lot of people already are on TV shows, or they’re in movies now, etc. Joss has done so well at bringing in great new talent, and it’s so great to see. I won’t be surprised if he casts almost all unknown actors and actresses. And I think it’ll be better that way.
Anyway! Seeing Stephanie Romanov back in action with Joss would be really great. I think she has such a commanding presence in her scenes. And bring in Jonathan Woodward would be a very Joss thing to do, since he’s been on BTVS, Angel, and Firefly. Heh. Although the character might be almost too much like Knox. Hm. I think whoever they cast with those role I’m going to have a little crush on.
Victor Garber would be very cool as Boyd, I think he’s being wasted on Eli Stone. :X I was a huge Alias fan.
Ryan Gosling would be another great pick. We are talking about your dream cast, not just who would feasibly do it. Actually…I think I have a new pick. Joshua Jackson!
I had the exact same problem with the character of November. This is why it’s good that Joss and others will get to do casting calls and auditions. It’s sad commentary that I can think of exactly two ‘heavy’ actresses. America, and Nicky Blonsky.
I know that Amy Adams probably won’t go back to TV, but if she did it would be another Joss reunion (BTVS episode Family) and if she could gain some weight, I think she would be great in that role.