Horizon The Movie: Fancasting

Having just finished Horizon: Forbidden West, and Sony announcing a Horizon Movie, I began to fancast what a live action adaptation of the series would be like. I feel that Horizon is a perfect fit for a great action adventure series with its insane machine design and deep expanded lore; the franchise is begging to be adapted under Sony's new film scheme.

Aloy: Let’s start off who we’re all the most curious about, our main girl; Aloy.

Erin Kellyman: I believe the perfect fit for our ‘flame haired champion’ is Erin Kellyman. Known for her roles in Solo: A Star Wars Story, Falcon and Winter Soldier and most recently Pebbles in Netflix’s Top Boy; Kellyman absolutely has the capacity to add some emotional range to Aloy that was very much lacking in the first game (but certainly improved in the second). I don’t even think we need to rid Kellyman of her freckles as it would be nice to see a ‘from the ground up’ take to Aloy for the silver or big screen.

Becky Lynch (Backup Choice): WWE Superstar Becky Lynch absolutely fits the look for Aloy. Having previous acting experience (Marine and Rumble), and being a professional wrestler, we know that Lynch is certainly up to the task of undertaking such a physical role. However, bearing in mind that Aloy is 18 at the beginning of Zero Dawn, Lynch being 35 makes her ever so slightly too old for the role. (Even though she looks better than I do at 23).

Rost: Aloy’s dad but not dad considering Aloy is also her own mum (yes the story is ridiculous at points but I love it).

Aamir Khan: If you’re a bollywood fan this name certainly will not have eluded you. Aamir Khan is an actor known for being very selective with his roles, only really taking on films that will come with a moral/meaning he can align with. This is why I believe he will be a perfect fit for Rost. We need an actor who we believe can genuinely portray all the intricacies of raising somebody knowing that one day you will have to ultimately let them go. (Plus this will create a more global appeal in the increasingly lucrative central/south asian markets).

Rahul Kohli: Alternatively, if you want to get more bums in seats, Rahul Kohli is very quickly becoming one of the most popular names in hollywood. Known for his love for gaming I’m sure that the hardcore Horizon fans will appreciate somebody who appreciates gaming as an artform.

Sylens: Is the blue goatee a look?

Mahershala Ali: It would not surprise if Sylens was created with Ali in mind. The stoic presence Sylens brings can absolutely be brought to life by Ali as we all know he is an actor capable or portraying Sylens faithfully. An annoyingly smart individual who definitely knows his stuff so we hate them but still need them.

David Harewood: Alternatively, Supergirl’s David Harewood is also a perfect fit for Sylens. His damn near perfect on screen depiction of ‘Martian Manhunter’ is more than enough evidence as to why he is great for this role. A formerly evil, but still could be, man who is the guide for our protagonist. I would even argue that he is a better fit than Alie fro the role

Tilda: A futuristic girlboss.

Carrie-Ann Moss: She literally plays Tilda in the game… she’s fantastic and as the proverb goes ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’... However

Tilda Swinton:If, for whatever reason, Moss is busy; then I believe that Tilda Swinton can absolutely bring Tilda to life. With her previous roles in Okja and Dr. Strange as prime examples of her being able to play a character in a Sci-Fi Fantasy world and of a higher class.

GAIA: Our guiding light throughout the games. A humanoid program that will save the world.

Whoopi Goldberg: Not only does Goldberg look the part, many forget that she is a two time oscar award winning actress. I personally believe it has been too long since we have seen Goldberg featured prominently in a major motion picture and it is an utter shame as hollywood needs Goldberg back. (We can never have too much)

Betty Gabriel: Another fantastic choice would be Betty Gabriel. You may not recognise the name but you cannot forget her portrayal of Georgina in Jordan Peele’s Get Out. Gabriel will certainly need to be aged up slightly for the role of GAIA but I don’t think will take anything away from her acting ability.

Regala: Lovingly Played by Angela Bassett so...

Angela Bassett: There is no debate here. Basset played this role so well it would be a shame to recast.

Hekkaro: The chief of the Tenakth.

Idris Elba: Elba has this uncanny ability to take roles that should be ridiculous and portray them with an elegance and believability that most actors can’t do. (ie: Luthor or Brixton from Hobbs and Shaw). Also he would bring such fun to the role of Hekkaro and has the ability to balance that out with his more serious moments.

Varl: The best boy.

Shameik Moore: You may not recognise the face but you will certainly recognise the voice as Miles in Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse. Varl strikes as a gentle, disarming individual and the same can be said for Miles Morales. Plus it’s nice to finally see a black young black man on screen who is actually loving and gentle. Hollywood still has a MAJOR issue with regards to it’s representations of young black men. This is a chance for Moore to lead that change.

Zo: The saviour of Plainsong and Varl’s heart.

Lauren Ridloff: Now I know what many are thinking, the character of Zo in Forbidden West isn’t deaf but Ridloff is. The solution is simple, fancy tech arms that can translate sign language OR (and here’s a novel idea) people just read the subtitles. Ridloff is too good of an actress to pass up on and knows how to create on screen chemistry.

Kotaro: Only one arm, but a big heart.

Dave Bautista: A muscular man who is struggling with his place within his military society after losing his arm is a role not many actors will fit. You either fit the look or have the acting capacity. So a once in a lifetime actor such as Bautista is a perfect fit for the role of Kotallo as the opening of Blade Runner: 2049 showed us,

Alva: I can’t be the only one who found her unbearable right?

Alison Jaye: Yes I understand that in many cases just hiring the voice actress to do the live action role is ‘lazy’ but Alison Jaye literally looks so much like Alva it would be a waste not to. Plus we already know that she can play the role perfectly because she literally did.

Erend: Our bestie.

Sheamus: I can’t quite put my finger on the WHY, but Erend has always felt like he was based on WWE’s Sheamus. His on screen persona of the Great White Fella in WWE shows that he can be a fun reprieve from the serious machine killing nature of the story.

So what do we think? Did I get it right or miss heavily? Let me know on twitter @newajseyes. I love both Horizon Games so so much and can’t wait to finish up my platinum for Forbidden West.