MovieChat Forums > The King's Speech (2010) Discussion > Paul Bettany as the King? WTF???

Paul Bettany as the King? WTF???

posted 10 years ago by davemerino
9 replies | jump to latest

I was watching The Tourist. In the Trivia section on IMDB it says that Paul Bettany turned down the lead for The King's Speech to do The Tourist. Here it says the king's part was written for Bettany. WTF? Who in the hell believes a mediocre actor like Paul Bettany, (who actually ruined the elegant and graceful flow of The Tourist with his commoner demeanor and bad acting), could have pulled off The King's Speech? No on believes it but Bettany. There is a reason he will never play Bond or Doctor Who or any lead British part, because he's a bad actor.

[–] Gothmog2 10 years ago

I thought he was pretty darned good in A Beautiful Mind as the friend who really wasn't there.

[–] amandadewindt 10 years ago

Well I suppose that's one opinion

[–] jlindholm2000 10 years ago

Yes Paul Bettany is pretty good in what I have seen. Good in a Beautiful Mind.

[–] dakoko 10 years ago

I like Colin, glad he played King.
Paul is meh.

[–] skoobydoo6789 9 years ago

I thought Bettany was great as the Vision in the Avengers.

[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

Paul Bettany is a very good actor.

Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!

[–] PaladinNJ (21509) 3 years ago

That's one performance where I think he was weak. Better as the faceless Jarvis.

[–] CaptainCrozier (607) 3 years ago

As good an actor as Bettany is, I can't picture him as George VI.

However, I could see him as his father--played by Michael Gambon here--should a film ever be made focusing on *him*!

[–] Otter (24464) 2 years ago

Bettany is a good actor, but IMHO is far too tall, handsome, and self-confident to ever play George VI. George VI was a small man who wasn't handsome and who was riddled with insecurity, Bettany would have been a miscast.

Firth was a bit too old for the role (Rush as well), but he did a great job projecting the desperate insecurity until the posh exterior.