Which Hollywood stars could play Russian tsars?
In Ridley Scott’s upcoming blockbuster ‘Napoleon’, Russian Emperor Alexander I is portrayed by young French-Finnish actor Édouard Philipponnat. He’s great, but we have other cast ideas for Russian emperors, maybe even better fitting than Scott’s choice. Oh, and a bonus at the bottom!
1. John Turturro as Ivan the Terrible
Apart from the obvious facial likeness, John Turturro has masterfully performed an array of villain roles, which is very fitting for the popular image of the fearsome Russian tsar.
2. Nicholas Cage as Peter the Great
The king of unruly, witty and partly hysterical character parts, Nicholas Cage could perform well as Peter the Great, the reformer of Russian life, a wild drinker and womanizer and a man with a prominent mustache.
3. Meryl Streep as Catherine the Great
However majestic Helen Mirren was as Catherine the Great in the eponymous 2019 series, we still think Meryl Streep’s truly royal attitude could have been great for this role.
4. Michael Shannon as Paul I
A distinct facial similarity is not the only thing that made us think about Michael Shannon as a fitting cast for Pavel I. Shannon is a seasoned actor that could play a troubled genius, prone to outbursts of rage, that emperor Pavel Petrovich was.
5. Jude Law as Nicholas I
Jude Law’s screen persona is far removed from the image and character of Nicholas I. In real life, Nicholas was a harsh perfectionist and a ruthless commander. But, the similarity in their appearance is remarkable.
6. Colin Firth as Alexander II
In The Happy Prince (2018), Colin Firth resembles Alexander II so much it’s staggering.
7. David Beckham as Alexander III
One of the wildest cast choices ever made.
8. Hugh Laurie as Nicholas II
One of the most caustic actors out there would surely do a great job of playing the last Russian emperor, who himself loved deadpan jokes.
BONUS:
Leonardo DiCaprio as Vladimir Lenin
We hope that someday, this moment will come. Someday.
