PERFECT Discworld Adaptation! 

I think the perfect adaptaion, at least for me, should be an animation. That way we can enjoy all the absurity and fantastic setting with lower budget and maybe even more faithful adaptaion to the source material.

Christopher Eccleston as the Vetinari is one I have had in my head for years. The eyes and the nose just fit. I can see him looking at the visitor slowly clipping out 'Don't let me detain you.'

I thought the Going Postal mini series that’s already been made was excellent. I would happily take many more series like that.

oh man I would love to see a Tiffany Aching series as a part of that. It has some iconic characters like Granny Weatherwax and Death but also introduces the Nac Mac Feegles and Tiffany herself is such a good character.

I think starting the first series with the Witches may work better. Simply because the first two books (we ain't including equal rites) and then the Maskerade have very well known plots that they draw from. People that ain't familiar with the characters or concepts of Discworld will none the less be able to watch and go "oh its Macbeth, or its Cinderlla" and that may help break the ice for them.

Kinda unrelated, but I wanted to thank Daniel for recommending Discworld, I just got started. I know you said not to start with The Colour of Magic, but I really like to see an author's evolution in time, so I decided to do publication order. Really enjoying it so far, so thank you again!

I love the Going Postal adaptation. The casting was fantastic! Charles Dance was my Vetinari before he even was cast as Vetenari! Richard Coyle and Claire Foy were perfect. I want Idris Elba as Sam Vimes.

Just Sam Rockwell. Yes! For DEATH, if it's someone who can do the gravitas of an immortal being with self doubt and humility, I think Ian McKellen proved he's well up for it with Gandalf the Grey. I also think Bill Nighy could do the part complete justice. I Definitely want Miriam Margolyes (Professor Sprout) to play Nanny Ogg in the Witches series. She's got an offbeat exuberance that's hard to match. Especially if you watch her on the Graham Norton show. I never EVER would have seen Nick Frost as Rincewind, but I need it! Oddly enough, I could see him as Carson in City Watch too.

I really liked all of Dan's choices, although I personally would have it as an animation and would pick Christopher Ecclestone as Sam Vimes (based mainly on his intensity and working class grit, not to mention anti-monarchism, which would be a perfect fit for Vimes).

I agree with a few of the comments here that an animated show would suit the absurdity a little better. I'm thinking the guys behind Arcane, but obviously slightly more whimsical. You could really get a show that looks a lot more like the official artwork of the characters in motion, and you don't have to then get the non-human characters to somehow fit seamlessly into live action.

I'm just really happy to see how this comment section is mature enough to appreciate the possibilities of an animated adaptation! although, we would still need voice actors, right? And I think Daniel really picked some kickass choices there, great video!

i really hope this becomes more of a series of perfect adaptations for stories than just a one off

I absolutely agree with your choice for Sam Vines. After you said it, I could instantly picture it. I have always pictured Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as Nobby and Colon.

The problem with Hulu is that it is only available in the US and Discworld is so quintessentially British that I don’t think it would be the right pick. But, no matter what, Nanny Ogg must be Miriam Margoyles.

Sticking in the Waititi-verse: Matt Berry -Lazlo, WWDitS-would make a fantastic Archchancellor Ridcully, playing a somewhat similar character. It may seem strange, but I can see Hugh Laurie as Vetinari. I can’t think of seeing a menacing performance from him, but I intuit that he could do it.

The Goblin pulled the rug under us about Beserk yet again XD

I feel like missing out on Rhys Darby for Rincewind is a mistake! Though he could easily fit in elsewhere if you wanted - so I'm okay with it haha

I think that Ron Pearlman fits your description for Cohen the Barbarian perfectly. Although I also like Carl Weathers as Cohen. Hmmm, perhaps Ron Pearlman could also play Detritus 😁 and then you could have Carl play Cohen. But I feel that Ron Pearlman should have a role in Discworld.

She may be aged out of the role by now, but I thought Michelle Dockery did a good job as Susan Sto Helit in Hogfather. I do like your pick of Anya Taylor Joy though. Hugh Laurie, I think would work as Mustrum Ridcully the Archchancellor of Unseen University or Havelock Vetinari.

I really liked the Hogfather and Going Postal movies--if you haven't seen them, you should.

Hear me out: Jamie Lee Curtis as Granny Weatherwax. I think she can bring an air of maturity and superiority to the character so well

I'd cast Matt Smith as death - the dude's work in Doctor who clearly shows his ability to be whimsical, but at the same time subtly realising the darkness of an inner conflict, but rising up against it in a way that is still in his whimsical nature. I feel like discworld's death is within that sort of range

I think Granny Weatherwax needs to be older. For me, I'd cast Helen Mirren - totally has the gravitas for it. Then Judi Dench as Nanny Ogg. Then Anna Taylor-Joy as Magrat. I think she'd be a better fit here. Magrat has such a great evolution over the witches series I can see ATJ totally carrying a whole series, with the older witches shining as support. I'd love to say Miriam Margolyes should be Nanny Ogg (because she basically already is) but realistically she's too old to do a series (even for a fantasy cast). But just to get her in there have her show up as Desiderata Hollow (who has one awesome scene with Death) to kick off Witches Abroad.

I can't believe you didn't bring up the Patrician in this video! It might be basic of me, but I always imagines Jason Isaacs as the Patrician (yes because of lucius malfoy), but I maybe Giancarlo Esposito is just the current best "secretly terrifying boss" actor right now. It would be nice to see him in a role as someone who is actually working towards the greater good, even if in a morally dubious way.

I'm gonna say animation is the future for most adaptations of fantasy, and Discworld already had a few animated films made years ago by Cosgrove Hall. Not great animation, but stellar voice work and adaptation of the humour. Also, Miriam Margoyles for Nanny Ogg, either live action or voiced.

I'll probably come back and add to this once I finish waking up... Bonham Carter is a nice choice, but the first person to come to mind for me is actually Maggie Smith. She is closer to Granny in age, her acting range is fantastic, and well, the Harry Potter movies showed how well she could rock the wardrobe. Plus, I can actually see her as Granny, whether she's lecturing on "Headology", shouting at... and individual... about "and you never had any fun?", to the dinner scene with the publishers. Nanny requires more thought. Must have excellent chemistry with Granny's actress. Irons as Death is a good choice, since the Perfect one (who has actually voiced Death in the earlier BBC adaptations) is no longer with us. Christopher Lee in the role was a marvel. Also reaching from the earlier mini-series..-es? mini-series'? Whatever, still not awake yet. Specifically from "Going Postal" is the casting choice they made for Vetinari. I would have initially picked Irons - he did the best they could give him with the script for "The Colour of Magic", and could absolutely shine with a better one, but while I would not have initially chosen Charles Dance myself (not angular enough), in less than a minute on the screen, he -was- Vetinari. I also think that Willem Dafoe could also fill the role nicely, as could Bill Nighy. Oddly (because he doesn't fit the physical image so much), my first thought for Vimes - Martin Freeman. Partly from his role as Watson, but also from snippets of other roles. He definitely manages the "worn down by life" vibe that is Vimes at the start. Lady Sybil... this is a tough one. For myself, I would have to insist they keep the build she has in the book. Her size does not define her as such, but it absolutely does have an influence on her behavior, and the contrast in behaviors is part of the chemistry between her and Vimes. If we were to follow one casting element of her character in "The Watch"... well, it might be fun to see/hear Queen Latifah with a posh British accent. I need to wrap this up quickly, as I need to take my housemate to work, but in closing, I think that Carrot, Magrat, and Tiffany should be played by new faces, as those are perfect roles to grow into.

The perfect Discworld Adaptation is a stop motion or 2d animated show a lot like Marvel's What If. It's an anthology show where every 1 to 3 episodes are a single book and it's narrated by either a Terry Pratchet sound alike or his daughter. But that's just what I think would be the most interesting. 😁

If you look up "troll bridge" on RU-vid you'll find a spectacular adaptation of one of my favourite short Discworld stories, published in the "A Blink of the Screen" collection. It's really good, I'd recommend it!

I think taika waititi would be the man best suited to direct the Discworlds unique sense of humour

Thank you for the wide variety of content, Daniel! It's always a lovely time.

Yay yay yay! Discworld Content! Thank you for your service Daniel

Another commenter said this and I must agree, the best Discworld adaptation would be animation. The way Pratchett describes things in an overly exaggerated way that feels like classic animation films (from Disney, Looney toons, etc). Imo the most perfect Discworld adaptation would be an animated series of films or as you said, small series within a larger series, that is created by either Aaardman animation (Wallace & Gromit, Shawn the sheep), Laika (Coraline, Kudo and the two strings) or Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter’s lab, Samurai Jack), written by Taika Waititi (with any of his collaborators), and produced Neil Gaiman, Rhianna Prachett, and Rob Wilkins. In terms of Casting, I’m gonna focus this if it is Live action, but I’m sure many of these actors could pull it off in animation as well. Breaking it up into each series Venessa Redgrave, Michelle Gomez, or Indra Varma - Granny Weatherwax (Indra Varma’s Granny in the new audiobooks is perfection) Miriam Margolyes - Nanny Ogg Amy Lou Wood - Magrat Garlick Nichola Coughlan - Anges Nitt Tilda Swington - The Queen Vivian Lyra Blair - Tiffany Aching Emily Blunt - Miss Tick Every scottish actor ever - the Nac Mac Feegles Chiwetel Ejiofor or Jeremy Irons - Death Roman Griffin Davis - Mort (excellent pick!) Anya Taylor Joy - Susan Sto Helit (Daniel, your Death series choices were perfection) Asa Butterfield - Brutha Taika Waititi - Om Benedict Cumberbatch - Vorbis Charles Dance - Vetinari Jerome Flinn or Idris Elba - Sam Vimes Tom Hooper or Rege-Jean Page - Carrot Emma Mckay - Angua Colon - Nick Frost Nobby - Simon Pegg Beanie Feldstien - Cheery Littlebottom Steve Buschemi - Reg Shoe Simone Ashley or Patricia Allison - Sally Ncuti Gatwa - Visit-the-infidel-with-explanatory-pamphlets Domhnall Gleeson - Rincewind Bill Nighy - Cohan The Barbarian Brian Blessed or Michael Gambon - Ridcully Jim Broadbent - the Dean Toby Kebbel - the Librarian Jason Sudeikis - Moist Von Lipwig Claire Foy - Adorabelle Dearheart

Also, everything aside if Arnie steps in to play Cohen, that would be so poetic.

As soon as you said Nick Frost for Rincewind I laughed but honestly I think getting the Simon Pegg/Nick Frost duo back together again as Twoflower and Rincewind would be the ideal (and either role for either of them would be fantastic)

I think a stop-motion adaptation in a Josh Kirby art-style of small gods would be great. It doesn’t have to be childish, but can still be very absurd as as a disc-world story should be.

If this fantasy adaptation were to ever come about and Taika did not take on the roll of Detritus (a la Korg from Thor: Ragnarok), there is truly no justice in this world.

Man, loved the video. Daniel just keep on making this shit. We want more series having these kind of videos.

These are actually great casting, and I really believe Taika Waititi is the best choice for a director. The only casting that I would have liked differently might be Rincewind. I think Simon Pegg would be a great choice of actor considering his works in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, he sort of has this "Why me?" vibe that I liked. Come to think of it, won't it be fun if they make "The Color of Magic" with Simon Pegg as Rincewind and Nick Frost as Twoflower? XD

If budget is no issue, I would love if it was animated with the group that made Klaus.

I think we need a part two for more casting. Loving this!

The choice of Anya Taylor Joy is inspired! I personally always thought Granny Weatherwax already looks like Dame Maggie Smith and for my favourite Nanny Ogg it feels almost natural to talk about Miriam Margoyles. Also I think Bella Ramsey would be an exellent older Tiffany Aching. And in my opinion Laurence "Larry" Rickard could portray the insanity of the Bursar marvelously. And i would love for Ben Willbond to play one of the Nac Mac Feegles. And whilst Sean Astin was a perfect Twoflower I think in a new version Jim Howick could bring the same loveable energy to the character. And since I'm obviously a massive Ghosts fan I would love to see/hear Simon Farnaby as the toad or Daft Wullie and Katie Wix as Miss Level. And my last casting choice would be Lee Mack as Cmot Dibbler

There's a fantrailer on RU-vid of Night Watch that cast Idris Elba as Old Vimes and John Boyega as Young Vimes and I had a moment of 'Oh' and then a moment of 'OH F*CK YES' and Idris Elba is now my number one pick, although I do like yours.

BBC America is such a paradoxical name in itself

I really liked the casting of Richard Dormer as Vimes in The Watch. It’s a shame the show didn’t give him the chance to truly shine.

My book club is reading Mort and Guards Guards this month, so good timing! I love seeing my friends discover this for the first time, especially the ones who haven’t read Pratchett.

Actually, I'm not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but I think discworld should be an animated series in the style of the original Josh Kirby covers, I think that would look incredible. I just can't see it in live action.

When I read discworld to people i always use and professor Mcgonnagall impression for Granny. Maggie smith saying "THERE WILL BE A RECKONING" just fits so well to me.

I love this series idea, this is what I do all the time, I imagine book adaptations and pitch them to myself all the day cuz I have no friends, social life, or any idea what to do with my life. If they ever adapt Stormlight, they better hear my ramblings, I have it all mapped out in my head

Insightful! Ty

I couldn't help but notice your choices were very British. I'm loving it!

I love that your first wish was the one thing that leapt to my mind. Gaiman is a must.

After seeing David Copperfield, I definitely want to see Dev Patel as Rincewind, also I think Peter Capaldi would make a great Vetinari

This is the first video of yours I have watched and I must say, you have done a very apt job of conveying your perfect adaptation of Sir Terry's works. I agree with almost all of your casting choices, even though some surprised me at first, but you managed to bring me around. To be fair, many of my original favourites for these roles have since crossed over. Neil Gaiman is the only one of the three best authors for this genre in my humble opinion, that is still with us, so he is a no brainer, the other two being Sir Terry of course and Douglas Adams. I particularly liked your idea for the season format type, giving each story line a whole season to flesh out properly, maybe adding some of the free standing novels in as episodes within episodes should they cross organically with the main story. To be honest with you, after the great authors passing I was sad to hear that none of his, I'm assuming vast, unfinished work would never be released, as I result I just thought a well done adaptation would ever be made, so I just gave up on that dream. So thank you for letting me dream once more and keep up the good work. One last thing, I'm not sure if you put someone forward for this role, but who would you have as the all important narrator? Perhaps Sir David Attenborough?

I am glad you are making more Discworld content. There is already a great Discworld adaptation out there called Troll Bridge produced by Snowgum Films. I think they would be a great choice for consultation on creating a Discworld adapation. Discworld is my favourite series and I think its going to grow in popularity again with the new audiobooks and the Amazing Maurice movie coming out later this year!

Jeremy Irons has already played Lord Vetinari in the Discworld universe, which I would argue he still suits.

100% this would have to be animation

It's not fair. You've gotten me super-hyped for a show that won't come out.

i just started reading discworld for my grandma and we are loving it and this kinda hyped me up to keep reading xD

Ever since I finished Peaky Blinders, whenever I picture Vimes I just see Arthur. They're not at all the same character, but they have similar flair and somehow they fused together in my mind.

James Spader is my perfect death. His ability to bring unearthly intelligence and sorrow to characters is amazing.

I love figuring out what we would pitch for our favorite books becoming either a Movie or TV Show

Jeremy Irons will always be the Pratrician.

I started discworld recently due to your recommendations. Started with Guards guards

I've always thought that Mackenzie Crook would make a good Rincewind - he has the look plus plenty of comic pedigree under his belt. Plus, a massive dose of heart thanks to stuff like The Detectorists

While not necessarily a fan of Amazon, I've gotta give them credit for Good Omens, which is totally in the vein of Discworld for obvious reasons.

I think discworld should be animated.

Funnily enough I always pictured Simon Pegg as Rincewind.

You just mentioned, Into the Badlands in ref to Nick Frost, OMG, just when I can't be more of a fan of yours, you mention one of my favorite shows. And Frost did such an amazing job!

We already have a perfect Discworld film - TROLL BRIDGE.

I think the best Discworld adaptation would be animated

Love the books immensely, and the whole world. Completely agree regarding Jeremy Irons!

I'd like to see: John Rhys-Davies - Death Charles Dance - Vetinari (already did the best job) Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont from GOT) - Vimes Dominic Monaghan - Rincewind Helen Mirrin - Granny Weatherwax Miriam Margolyes - Gytha Ogg Josha Stradowski - Carrot

I want Andre braugher. AKA captain holt from brookly 99, for Death. He has the gravitas and also deadpan timing to pull it off

I was hoping you’d cast Cohen! I don’t think I’ve seen you ever mention The Last Hero, so I wasn’t sure you would, but I’m so glad you did! Not sure I can picture him as Cohen, but I could be wrong.

Rincewind was young in the early books, and the actor definitely needs to be a runner!

I always pictured Maggie Smith as Granny - probably a bit old now

Charles Dance was Vetinari in the going postal mini series and I think he was perfect! he *is* Vetinari for me

I for a second expected a "sweded" style plan when you said "money is not an OPTION".

I find it funny (maybe you didn't know this) but Jeremy Irons played the Patrician in a BBC Color of Magic miniseries. His performance was perfect. What I've thought about is in one sense we already have had a perfect The Watch show- Brooklyn 99. You can even map on different characters to those who played (Rosa=Angua, Terry= Carrot, Hitchcock and Scully= Nobby and Colon). So maybe get Andy Samberg for that series? Also Emma Thompson is Granny Weatherwax fight me.

I think you hit that almost perfectly. Exec team, chef's kiss. However, HBC as Granny Weatherwaxe seems a bit too off kilter... too kooky maybe? I'd personally go with Emma Thompson there. Nick Frost as Rincewind is a truly inspired choice, and I need it *now*. As for Vimes, Jerome Flynn could be decent, but I think maybe Mark Strong would fit a little better. I think we all know Charles Dance is and forever will be Vetinari. Assuming that's why he wasn't in the list.

I actually wasn't aware there was ever any adaptations of Discworld. I'll have to check them out even if they aren't great. I lived the Bakshi lotr so I imagine I'd get some level of enjoyment out of them. Discworld is so great!!!

Yes! Neil Gaiman please! Also, I like both live action and animation, but I really want to see someone takes the time to do a serious, beautiful virtual world building first. Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter already did very well on that while Discworld doesn’t have much yet asides from the mini-series, which feature mostly Ankh Morpork.

Jeremy Irons actually played Lord Vetinari in the Color of Magic mini-series

I have been trying to start reading Discworld for a long time. I think I will start right now. I will watch this video after I finish the series.

Daniel you should do this adaptation series for other books like Jade, First Law, Red Rising, Faithful and Fallen, etc.

Went to see Guards Guards at the theatre and the late Paul Darrow played a superb Vimes :)

looooove the captain vimes casting love it

I'd love to see Taika Waititi's directing with Edgar Wright's editing. That would be pretty fucking funny.

Omg Taika on Discworld would be a DREAM but as of now he'll probably be veeery tangled up with Star Wars for the next few years

Great video, how I wish it would happen!!! Interested to know who you would cast for Magrat and Nanny Ogg, Archancellor Ridcully and Corporal Carrot, loved your choices, especially Helena Bonham-Carter as Granny Weatherwax and Jerome Flynn as Sam Vimes, gosh, I want this to be a thing, Entertainment Gods heed our prayers ... ! Make this happen ... and I hope Neil Gaiman was watching this ... maybe you should post a link to this video to one of his social media platforms ... hehe.

Roman is an amazing child actor, good choice!! Agree on Taika and Neil too! Love your ideas Daniel

When you started talking about Cohen as a 80s action hero I instantly thought of Carl Weathers, he's so good, and can definitely do comedy.

Amazon though, did both Good Omens and American Gods. Good Omens being the very best example of a Pratchett adaptation we've yet seen. Absolutely on board with Taika Waititi though he may be the most expensive part of it

My Ideal Casting Granny Weatherwax - Cate Blanchette Nanny Ogg - Miriam Margolyes Tiffany Aching - Millie Bobby Brown Sam Vimes - Karl Urban/Hugh Jackman Mustrum Ridcully - Stephen Fry (Think General Melchit from Blackadder) Rincewind - Rhys Ifans Mort - Rupert Grint Greebo - Jason Momoa Ponder Stibbons - Richard Ayoade Casanunda - Peter Dinklage CMOT - Andy Serkis Rob Anybody - Ewan McGregor Vetinari - Charlse Dance (I can't unsee that now. Don't care if he's a ginger)

Why are you doing this to me 😭😭😭😭 my soul craves a Taika Waititi Discworld miniseries like you described. Heck, it’s a need 😭 And I shouted in agreement when you said Jeremy Irons as Death.

I think the idea of multiple miniseries is a good one, but I think live-action adaptations are a big mistake. What they need to do is get some 3D assets that can be recycled and reused made. The primary thing: Start with "Guards! Guards!" The actual book, with no cyberpunk crap. The Watch characters are the most relatable characters in the books, and give a nice introduction to the important people/organizations in Ankh-Morpork.

Wow, very early in the video I started brainstorming potential directors for this project and the very first name that popped into my head was Taika Watiti! And no, it’s not because I’ve seen you talk about him here before, I’ve just been thinking about him lately.

Maybe you should do this as a new video, fan-casting books that aren't movies or shows yet, maybe add a poll if your undecided either for the books you'll fan-cast of the undecided on the actors or actresses to portray them

Also as for Death I'm quite happy with the new "official" voice - Peter Serafinovicz. He does him in the complete new audiobook series and also in the Maurice movie.

Stephen Fry as Ridcully, channelling his Lord Melchett