Casting the Primarchs: Picking the Actors we Want in the Warhammer Cinematic Universe

Avatar Jinx April 16, 202591  98 91 Likes

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Lawrence, James and Beard sit down and talk the big talk in part one of our picks for Casting the Primarchs! We each put our most wanted actors forward and discuss how we think they would fit into the roles of all 18 of the Primarchs in a movie or TV show. Part two coming next week.

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Kat Lentge
Kat Lentge
5 months ago

Ok hear me out:
Jeff Bridges as Leman Russ

DrYobbo76
7 months ago

Great two parter!

All I can think of to add is Billy Zane as Horus Lupercal.

DontpanicBanik
7 months ago

Loved this topic and loved your picks.

Chris Rayner
Chris Rayner
7 months ago

This is a very controversial but I always thought Tilda Swinton was perfect for fulgrim.

Dylan Keller
Lodge Member
7 months ago

I like Alan richerson from the jack reacher series for Ferrus Manus. He has the giant intimidating personality with cold fury that can explode into violence.
Also Chris Helmsworth for Lemun Russ

skeletor100
skeletor100
7 months ago

Lion El’Jobson – Wyatt Russell
Fulgrim – Timothee Chalomet
Perturabo – Vincent D’Onofrio
Jaghati Khan – Benedict Wong
Leman Russ – Travis Fimmel
Rogal Dorn – Josh Brolin
Konrad Curze – Iwan Rheon
Sanguinius – Lee Pace
Ferrus Manus – Christopher Meloni
Angron – Jon Bernthal
Roboute Guilliman – Viggo Mortensen
Mortarion – Tom Hardy
Magnus – Oscar Isaac
Horus – Mark Strong
Lorgar – Antony Starr
Vulkan – Djimon Honsou
Corvus Corax – Robert Pattinson (The Batman role)
Apharius – James McAvoy

MikaFortyK
MikaFortyK
7 months ago

I was thinking Neil Newbon for Fulgrim, crazy? Maybe.

DelinquentBunny
Lodge Member
DelinquentBunny
7 months ago

I’m hoping Ron Perlman gets on the lost somewhere. @Spider I think Stellen Skarsgård would make an excellent Malcador.
But I’d have to offer Leman Russ to Kristofer Hivju -Tormund from GoT.
I’ve also always heard Fulgrims voice as Neil Newbon -Astarion from Baldurs Gate 3. Just very theatric and musical.

Last edited 7 months ago by DelinquentBunny
Brady Grabowski
7 months ago

Cannot overstate how excited I was to hear that James shares my belief R. Pat would be an IMMACULATE Sanguinius. There is no actor working today who is better suited to portray a literal angel who is also constantly consumed by depthless sorrow plus the shadow of a rage he can never show.

Brian Millar
7 months ago

I’m surprised neither of you considered Tom Hiddleston (Loki) for Kurze.

Mike H.
Lodge Member
7 months ago

Why not just Henry Cavill in various wigs play each one? The Lion: I also had Charles Dance.   Fulgrim: I also had Austin Butler. His performance in Dune had this really really strange mix of being terrifying but still somehow sexy. In like this sinister way. I think thats essential to Fulgrim.  Perterabo…. I didnt have a pick, I dont know much about the character enough to have a choice.  Jaghatai Khan same as perty.  Leman Russ: Charlie Hunnam Rogal Dorne: Vinn Diesel Conrad Curze: I had Rob Pattinson for this, but I like all of yours better. Ferrus… Read more »

SETH DUNAVANT
Lifetime Member
SETH DUNAVANT
7 months ago

Tom Hiddleston as Fulgrim without looking at what the cast says. Timothy Chalamet as Sanguinius, Michael Fassbender as the Lion, Christoph Waltz as Lorgar,I dont are for the rules …But Horus MUST be Marlon Brando ;p

John Laffoon
Lodge Member
John Laffoon
7 months ago

Really enjoyed it and looking forward to the next one! Having recently completed a listen to all of the HH audiobooks for the first time… Who would be your pick for Malcador? The voice always grounded me despite all of the varying characters and story lines.

Fredrik Bonander
Fredrik Bonander
7 months ago

Hoping one of the mentioned actors would show up here in the comments; ”Fine, I’ll do it”. Because obviously they watch TT in preparation for their role 😀

Nyrad01
7 months ago

The only primarch I think I’d be dead set on is Mark Strong as Horus. I think he’d be perfect, he can do menacingly evil but has a charisma about him that Horus would need.

I also think Neil Newborn could do a brilliant Fulgrim 🤔 His Astarion had so much range, but had a bit of Fulgrim about him at times

Ben Nicolay
Ben Nicolay
7 months ago

Nicholas Cage is Angron.

No further questions.

Ben Nicolay
Ben Nicolay
7 months ago

Vincent D’Onofrio (Fisk – Daredevil) for abbadon

Ben Nicolay
Ben Nicolay
7 months ago

Dance would be an excellent Luther, imo

Kayla
Kayla
7 months ago

Mostly agree with these, but I think JK Simmons would be a perfect Perturabo. Combining the tired, dead inside voice he gives Ketheric Thorme with bursts of Omni Man rage is exactly what I imagine for Peter Turbs

Stu
Lodge Member
Stu
7 months ago

My pick for playing Alpharius/Omegon is Giancarlo Esposito. His portrayal of the enigmatic drug boss (and fried chicken restaurant owner) Gus Fring in Breaking Bad absolutely sealed it for me. He was absolutely terrifying.

Ben Mason
7 months ago

“I’ve gone John Bernthal”…

That’s Mads Mikkelson!!!

Alessandro Donada
7 months ago

Lyon El’ Johnson – Charles Dance
Fulgrim – Timothee Chalamet
Perturabo – Vincent D’Onofrio
Khan – Jason Momoa
Leman Russ – Kristofer Hivju
Rogal Dorn – Sean Bean
Konrad Curze – Austin Butler
Sanguinius – Tom Holland
Ferrus Manus – Jon Bernthal
Angron – Noel Fisher
Roboute Guilliman – Alan Ritchson
Mortarion – Rory McCann
Magnus – Oscar Isaac
Horus – Javier Bardem
Lorgar – Tom Felton
Vulkan – Terry Crews
Corvus Corax – Joe Dempsie
Alpharius – Ben Barnes

Richard Macpherson
Richard Macpherson
7 months ago

Mark Strong Either Horus Or Lorgar
Mads Mikkelsen as ether Leman Russ or Konrad Curze

I know he’s unfortunately passed away now but Ray Stevenson would of been the perfect Ferus Mannus

Redcoat
7 months ago

Because I’ve thought far too long about this…

Lyon El’ Johnson – Matt Smith

Fulgrim – Ewan Mitchell

Perturabo – Michael Shannon

Khan – Hiroyuki Sanada

Leman Russ – Sebastian Stan

Rogal Dorn – Josh Brolin

Konrad Curze – Bill Skarsgard

Sanguinius – Robert Pattinson

Ferrus Manus – Pedro Pascal

Angron – Dave Batista

Roboute Guilliman – Michael Fassbender

Alpharius – Antony Starr

Mortarion – Mads Mikkelson

Magnus – Oscar Isaac

Horus – Tom Hardy

Lorgar – Benedict Cumberbatch

Vulkan – Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Corvus Corax – Tom Sturridge

robert maslyn
robert maslyn
7 months ago

Sanguinius. it would never happen but it would be the biggest shake up of 30k and 40k since forever. Charlize Theron. never in the whole story do they need to allude to fact that the primarchs are either man or woman or neither. i think she has the presence on screen to pull it off and defo has the acting skills to make it work

Richard Crichton
Richard Crichton
7 months ago

Joe Taslim could do Khan, some very cool picks which would make great tv viewing and a great show by you gents roll on next week. I’ve just been thinking Angron since the start. Who plays him?
Could Orlando bloom play Sanguinius? it’s a long shot I know.
Pace as Fulgrim would be amazing and I best get my thinking cap on for them all. This may take some time

The 40K guy 😎
The 40K guy 😎
7 months ago

Mark strong for Horus!! ( gorgeous man with a voice like a god)

Nick W
Nick W
7 months ago

Might be a hot take here but: Karl Urban as Leman Russ. I think he definitely can hit the notes of loving violence, savagery, and wildness but also being a secret expert strategist, having strong values on honor and duty, and kingly nature. He absolutely fits the bill of being able to sell arrogance and bravado when he’s outmatched. We also already know he can look a bit wolfish from The Boys. Liked a lot of the other picks and I especially agree on Beard’s pick for Sanguinius! For next week I’m predicting Dave Bautista as a selection for Angron… Read more »

I-Am-Alpharius
I-Am-Alpharius
7 months ago

Real question is, in a full cast of the Horus Heresy, who do you cast as Erebus?

bmurph101
bmurph101
7 months ago

I don’t think you’d find a better Konrad Curze than Jared Leto.

Very pale skin, jet black hair, piercing eyes, very thin (almost gaunt), has the beauty of a Primarch but also comes across as unsettling.

Clean shaven with long hair and I think he’d absolutely smash it.

Christopher Brown
Christopher Brown
7 months ago

I’m a Night Lords Player. I feel like you all got it right.

Ryan O'Connell
Ryan O'Connell
7 months ago

The one that sprang to mind was Vincent D’Onofrio as Horus

(But then I have just finished Daredevil…)

Jack Hamilton
Jack Hamilton
7 months ago

Perturabo’s such a hard pick yet you’ve nailed a couple outrageously good choices

Justin Baker
Lodge Member
Justin Baker
7 months ago

Dorn – Kurt Russell when he did Soldier.

Tyler Goslin
Tyler Goslin
7 months ago

You cheeky bastards

lewy109
lewy109
7 months ago

Love matt mercer as fulgrim

Kyle Roach-Smith
7 months ago

my picks:
The Lion- Charles Dance
Fulgrim- Tom Ellis
Purturabo- Jon Bernthal
Khan- Tadanobu Asano
Leman Russ- Jensen Ackles
Rogal Dorn- Josh Brolin
Konrad Kurze- Benedict Cumberbatch
Sanguinius- Sebastian Stan
Ferrus Manus- Daniel Craig
Angron- Karl Urban
Roboute Guilliman- Alan Ritchson
Mortarion- Mads Mikkelsen
Magnus- Tom Hiddleston
Horus- Vincent D’Onofrio
Lorgar- Andrew Scott
Vulkan- Idris Elba
Corax- Tom Sturridge
Alpharius- Graham McTavish

Last edited 7 months ago by Kyle Roach-Smith
Rat Lips
7 months ago

Of the suggestions I’d go with

Lion – Bard
Fulgrim – Spider
Perturabo – Beard (I think spiders pick is missing here)
Jaghatai – all
Russ – beard (but I do like Gerard as a pick)
Dorn – bard/beard
Kurze- beard
Ferrus- spider
Sang – beard/spider

Steve Day
7 months ago

Fulgrim has got to be Pace!

IMG_8815
Andrew Middlemas
Andrew Middlemas
7 months ago

Love thes types of videos. These are my pics for the primarchs I. Dark Angels – Charles Dance II. III. Emperor’s Children – Matt Mercer IV. Iron Warriors – Stellan Skarsgård V. White Scars – Ma Dong-seok VI. Space Wolves – Travis Fimmel VII. Imperial Fist – Josh Brolin VII. Night Lords – Bill Skarsgård IX. Blood Angels – Robert Pattenson X. Iron Hands – Ben Affleck XI. XII. World Eaters – Patrick Warburton XIII. Ultramarines – Henry Cavill XIV. Death Guard – Vincent D’onofrio XV. Thousand Sons – Lee Pace XVI. Sons of Horus – Russell Crowe XVII. Word… Read more »

Rat Lips
7 months ago

Fun video. I need to have a think of who I’d cast.

That said I’m more of the mindset the primarchs should have been left as background fluff really, almost mythical.

I also think a warhammer tv/film universe will be the watering down of Warhammer and ruin it a bit! (Well, more than primaris watered down the setting already).

Corruption
Lifetime Member
7 months ago

If age and/or death status was not an issue…
Horus – Orson Welles
Mortarion – Marlon Brando
Sanguinius – Paul Newman
Jaghatai Khan – Omar Sharif
Corax – Anthony Quinn
Perturabo – Rod Steiger
Ferrus Manus – Anthony Quayle
Leman Russ – Robert Redford
Alpharius/Omegon – Robert Duvall
Lion El’Jonson – James Caan
Fulgrim – Alec Guinness (think of his role in the Ladykillers)
Rogal Dorn – Charlton Heston

Last edited 7 months ago by Corruption
ChazzleDazzle
ChazzleDazzle
7 months ago

I think we can fit Chris Hemsworth in here somewhere.

Andy Bradshaw
Andy Bradshaw
7 months ago

Only got as far as Pertuarbo so apols if you say some of the following Agree with the poster who suggested D’Onario as Pertuarbo, his Kingpin is all barely suppressed rage and one wrong word away from smashing your head repeatedly in a car door. Also, if we’re looking for incredibly disturbing, whining and psychotic villains to play Curze, David Tennant’s Killgrave in Jessica Jones is absolutely perfect. I’d have Jay Leto as Fulgrim I’d have Jon Hamm play Dorn, there’s a chin that you could break countless sieges on. Andy Serkis to play Alpharius/Omegon Michael Sheen to play Lorgar… Read more »

Kyle Roach-Smith
7 months ago

Alan Ritchson as guilliman would work well I feel

rantmo
7 months ago

I’ve got to say that Beard’s choice of Adam Copeland for Russ is inspired, as soon as you said it I was instantly on board. Plus there’s more than enough time for him to reunite with Christian and retire in glory (especially since Christian is nowhere near ready for a face turn.)
For the Lion the first name that came to mind was Jude Law.

Aaron Randall
7 months ago

I like Christian Bale for The Lion!
I think Charles Dance is too old for a Heresy era Lion 🤔

milejord
milejord
7 months ago

This is an out there pick but bill nightly for both the lion or pertarabo would be interesting i think

STEVEN HENDERSON
7 months ago

Henry Cavil for.. HORUS!! would be a cool switch to his good guy roles 🙂

Doug
Lodge Member
Doug
7 months ago

I could see the wrestler Triple H as a good Leman Russ. He’s played good and bad roles which is what Russ is. He can be that leader role which executes the thousand sons