After seeing The Mary Sue’s Dream Recast of TNG, I was inspired to do a recast of my own for Deep Space 9. While the TNG recast factored appearance pretty heavily into the equation, I’m choosing to ignore that in favor of who I think could act well in the roles. This is just what I came with after a few hours consideration today, and I’m sure there are a few casting choices that I overlooked on accident. If I did, feel free to suggest in the comments.
Elim Garak – Gary Oldman
Garak’s character was one of the most difficult to cast, as his goals and motivations are often difficult to discern. We’re often left wondering if he’s the good guy or the bad guy, and whether he speaks in truth or lies. Garak needs to be portrayed by a strong actor, and someone who’s done both heroic and villainous roles. Besides, one of his more recent roles was in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, you’ve got to admit that’s awfully appropriate.
Jake Sisko – Corbin Bleu
This was a really hard one to cast because the quality of under 18 actors seems to be quickly diminishing. Even at 23, I think Bleu could pass as being in his late teens, and it certainly wouldn’t be the first time a mid-twenties actor was cast as a teen. I also think that a bit older Jake would make for some interesting drama, as his character was far more interesting when he started as a journalist for the Federation News Service. That displayed a different perspective on the Dominion War, and added some tension to his relationship with Captain Sisko.
Lieutenant Jadzia Dax – Jewel Staite
Staite proved in Firefly that she was able to play a wonderfully complex character, who managed to be both feminine and technically savvy. As she’s matured a good bit since then, I think she could definitely pull of the role of Jadzia convincingly. She has the ability to portray herself as someone who is young, but also who carries around a tremendous amount of wisdom and intelligence.
Quark – Seth Green
I know many of my lady friends would be aghast at the thought of putting Seth Green in full Ferengi makeup. But the simple fact of the matter is that a lot of his more recent work has been providing voices to animated characters, and that will lend well to him portraying a Ferengi. He also is a relatively appropriate height for a Ferengi, and I think he’d be able to pull off the awkward lechery well.
Doctor Julian Bashir – David Tennant
David Tennant has the right blend of quirkiness and geekiness to be an effective Doctor Bashir. He could certainly play the more “superhuman” aspects of Bashir’s nature, in addition to having that sort of perpetual boyish wonder that was a hallmark of Bashir. Besides, I’m sure I’m not the only fangirl who would get all excited about seeing David Tennant flirting with Jewel Staite.
Chief Miles O’Brien – Hugh Bonneville
This was actually the hardest one for me as I wanted someone that would be able to portray the dynamic between O’Brien and Bashir well, but at the same time wanted someone with that same sort of “seen it all” air that O’Brien pulled off so well. I ended up going with Bonneville because I feel that he portrays the right amount of both intelligence and wisdom.
Major Kira Nerys – Katee Sackhoff
As Starbuck in BSG, Sackhoff played a character with tremendous emotional depth. I can see her pulling off Kira’s character well, as she would be able to pull of Kira’s Bajoran Resistance past. Kira had a more vulnerable side to her as well, and Sackhoff has proven her ability to handle that as well.
Commander Worf – Keith Hamilton Cobb
In casting Worf, I wanted someone that not only is a good actor, but also has the physical build to pull off a Klingon character, and Cobb clearly has the build for the physical aspects of the role. Cobb tends to not play the strong but stupid kind, instead favoring roles that are a bit more thoughtful and philosophical. This is a great asset for Worf, who is far less impulsive than many Klingons are. His high forehead allots a good amount of room for a Klingon prosthetic as well. Cobb hasn’t done a lot of acting in recent years, so in the event that he wouldn’t work out, Christopher Judge would be my second choice.
Odo – Cillian Murphy
I think that Murphy’s prominent cheekbones and piercing blue eyes would lend a striking appearance to Odo’s character that would only be aided by the facial prosthetics. I think the accent would be a nice touch as well. Odo is yet another DS9 character whose motivations are sometimes unclear, and I think Murphy could play that side of the character up extremely well.
Gul Dukat – Alan Rickman
Much like Garak, Dukat is a complex character. He does bad things, yet at the same time, he has a heart. There are people that he genuinely cares for, including his half-Bajoran daughter. Rickman plays the misunderstood “bad” guy extremely well, and his experience in Galaxy Quest gives him practice at dealing with facial prosthetics. He’s the type of actor who is skillful enough to not be held back by wearing a large amount of makeup.
Captain Ben Sisko – Gina Torres
Sure, you’re going to need to call her Benita or Benjamine, but I think she’s a great choice. I briefly considered Torres for Major Kira’s role, but to be honest, I think the role of Sisko is great for her. I would love to see how she handles being the Emissary, and how she balances raising a child with running a space station. She’s got the perfect balance of sheer badassery and grace under fire that would make her an amazing Captain.
What do you all think? WHo would be in your dream DS9 cast?
