Persuasion 2007 Casting News
Alert Janeites SylviaM and Patrizia sent us word that Rupert Penry-Jones will play Captain Wentworth in Persuasion 2007. Sylvia also found out that Anthony Head (yes, Giles on Buffy) will play Sir Walter Elliot. (We know quite a few Janeites who also love Buffy so this will be delightful news to them, we are sure!)
“Altered beyond his knowledge.” Anne fully submitted, in silent, deep mortification. Doubtless it was so, and she could take no revenge, for he was not altered, or not for the worse. She had already acknowledged it to herself, and she could not think differently, let him think of her as he would. No: the years which had destroyed her youth and bloom had only given him a more glowing, manly, open look, in no respect lessening his personal advantages. She had seen the same Frederick Wentworth.
*fans self*
More? You want more? Oh, all right!
There was a momentary expression in Captain Wentworth’s face at this speech, a certain glance of his bright eye, and curl of his handsome mouth, which convinced Anne, that instead of sharing in Mrs. Musgrove’s kind wishes, as to her son, he had probably been at some pains to get rid of him; but it was too transient an indulgence of self-amusement to be detected by any who understood him less than herself; in another moment he was perfectly collected and serious, and almost instantly afterwards coming up to the sofa, on which she and Mrs. Musgrove were sitting, took a place by the latter, and entered into conversation with her, in a low voice, about her son, doing it with so much sympathy and natural grace, as shewed the kindest consideration for all that was real and unabsurd in the parent’s feelings.
Here is a link to a Rupert Penry-Jones fansite with a lovely gallery. Swoon away, you naval enthusiasts (and you know who you are). 
(Although it occurs to us that perhaps we should not get too excited, for the news has not been verified anywhere that we can see. It could have been an overzealous fan sending in the news to the IMDB. We are treating this as an unconfirmed rumor for the nonce. Remember Orlando Bloom’s sister playing Charlotte Lucas? That was on IMDB, too.) ETA August 31: See comments–Clerkenwell Films site now confirms Sally Hawkins, Penry-Jones and Julia Davis (possibly Miss Elliot?) in the cast.
Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character; vanity of person and of situation. He had been remarkably handsome in his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man. Few women could think more of their personal appearance than he did, nor could the valet of any new made lord be more delighted with the place he held in society. He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to the blessing of a baronetcy; and the Sir Walter Elliot, who united these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect and devotion.
Here is his official site, which confirms his role in the film on the News page. Tony is so totally going to rock in this role, in our not so humble opinion. But do you think he might need to rouge a bit in daylight hours? *falls over laughing at own wit*
August 28th, 2006 at 11:55 pm
I’m THRILLED. My very favorite TV show and book collide!!
August 29th, 2006 at 12:16 am
Mags– The new Captain Wentworth is H-O-T!!! Please don’t let this be just a rumor!!!! (She said fanning herself…)
August 29th, 2006 at 3:46 am
Hmmm, I’m not sure… I don’t really see Captain Wentworth when I’m looking at that picture. But well, I suppose the casting directors know what they’re doing.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:52 am
I’m with Franka on this one. He looks a bit, I dunno… sulky or something. Too much of a glowering toy-boy. We need a more glowing, open MANLY look! But I’m willing to be optimistic. Sir Walter? Fantastic!
August 29th, 2006 at 9:24 am
I remember seeing Rupert Penry-Jones in Jane Eyre as St. John Rivers. From that performance I think he could play Cpt. Wentworth creditably.
August 29th, 2006 at 9:41 am
Ladies, Ladies–please remember our dear dear Capt. Wentworth sulked for a long time over our Anne (rightfully so, she did wrong him!)
And I think we would be over his sulking features once he wrapped his arms around us as we both gazed off into the vast wonder that is the sea…mmmm….
(**must stop–at work, must not dream of my glorious hero…but I may go onto Persuasion online and read his letter to Anne once or twice**)
August 29th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
::sigh:: If it can’t be Richard Armitage…
If the Rupert Penry-Jones casting is true, perhaps this will finally be the role that helps me think of him as someone other than the bumbling yet loveable Prince from “The Prince of Hearts/The Student Prince.” (He was great in that, but I’ve always had trouble separating that character from his other roles.) From the looks of it now though, I think he’s going to have great chemistry with Sally Hawkins.
And Amen! to Giles. He is going to rock as Sir Walter. “Xander, don’t speak Latin in front of the books.”
Sorry, forgot myself there for a second.
August 29th, 2006 at 11:40 pm
I have to say that I really think that Anthony Head will do justice to Sir Walter, though no one can compare with Corin Redgrave’s looking glass knife!
I’m a little hard-pressed to see Rupert Penry-Jones as Capt W. I’ve seen him in ‘Jane Eyre’ and ‘Cold Comfort Farm’ and will have to take a look at those again to cement an opinion of him. I must say he’s a little too “piano” for my tastes when compared with one of my favorite actors Ciaran Hinds! It will take some getting used to I suppose. I pray they don’t intent on leaving him blound! Seriously the only Austen hero I can imagine as blound is Edmund Bertrand! Richard Armitage would be so much better though!
August 30th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
Rupert-Penry Jones is swoon worthy, and for one I am happy that we are getting some good news from the set of Persuasion..
August 30th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
[...] Austenblog has more casting news on the forthcoming adaptation of Persuasion. Anthony Stewart Head (Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer) will play Anne Elliot’s father, which is pretty hilarious casting. Also, Rupert Penry-Jones will play Captain Wentworth. I’ve never seen any of his films, but he appears to be good-looking, which helps. [...]
August 31st, 2006 at 1:29 am
Rupert Penry-Jones as Wentworth is my dream casting come true. He will do the role justice, for sure.
August 31st, 2006 at 11:44 am
If you go to http://www.clerkenwellfilms.com/news.php you can see that it’s official that Rupert Penry-Jones is to play Captain Wentworth.
August 31st, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Now, Sylvia, that wasn’t THERE the other day, I SWEAR it!!! All right, fess up, Clerkenwell folks, you’re reading this blog, aren’t you?
Julia Davis must be playing Miss Elliot. She MUST be. She looks exactly right!
I’ll make a main post on this tonight when I get home.
August 31st, 2006 at 5:03 pm
I have no opinion as yet. Remember that he’ll look different in costume and makeup for the part.
September 1st, 2006 at 9:58 am
[...] In case you didn’t see the edit to our original post, the Clerkenwell Films site (coincidentally, once again, after we asked for confirmation on the blog! How lovely and, um, prescient of them ) have confirmed that Rupert Penry-Jones will star in PERSUASION 2007, along with Julia Davis. No word on which role they will have, though by now we can safely assume that Mr. Penry-Jones will play Captain Wentworth. We think Julia Davis looks just like Miss Elliot ought. [...]
September 1st, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Are casting directors mining MI-5 for Austen leading men? Rupert P-J replaced Matthew Macfadyen, when he left the show. Interesting development.
September 4th, 2006 at 11:13 am
I like the casting of Rupert as wentworth very much. I saw him in the Jane Eyre movie.
But im very unhappy as to the Sally Hawkins as Anne. She just doesn’t look like Anne Elliot. Wish they could cast someone like Justine Waddell - she did excellent in “Wives and Daughters” as well as her many other roles.