Summary
- The animated series The Legend of Vox Machina highlights the adventures of the Vox Machina team in their fantasy world.
- While the animated show's voice cast excels in their roles, other actors could offer a new spin on the characters in a live-action version.
- The casting suggestions for a live-action adaptation include Tom Hiddleston, Keira Knightley, Jason Momoa, Kiruna Stamell, Peter Dinklage, Tom Ellis, Karen Gillan, Winston Duke, Rebecca Ferguson, and Joe Manganiello.
Critical Role's The Legend of Vox Machina is a powerhouse series due to the creative efforts of the original cast, but other actors could take over the roles for live-action. Starting as an online Dungeons & Dragons campaign on Twitch and YouTube in 2015, the Critical Role web series led to the animated adaptation that carried the characters into the world of streaming. With the original cast as well as a few new picks, the adventures of this party came to life in The Legend of Vox Machina, as the story both faithfully adapted and rethought pivotal arcs in the campaign.
The success of animated series does prompt the question of who would play the pivotal characters if a live-action adaptation were to be green-lit. While many of the original cast could easily take up the task, there's also an opportunity for new interpretations of the characters. Reacsts could add further dimensions to the roles as audiences once again witness The Legend of Vox Machina.
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10 Tom Hiddleston (The MCU, Crimson Peak)
Vax'ildan "Vax" Vessar - Originally Played by Liam O'Brien
Vax is the sneaky rogue of the party and mostly one of the cooler heads. He does have his comedic moments, as witnessed in the famed Door sequence, but he can also be insightful and charms about as many people as the resident bard Scanlan. Hiddleston's time as Loki proves he can balance that stealthy skill and comedic timing, as the God of Mischief also had plenty of both in the MCU. Hiddleston would also do well with the sibling dynamic Vax has with his twin sister Vex'ahlia, as they are similar to Loki and Thor.
Hiddleston's emotional moments in Loki reflect many of Vax's own struggles with acceptance and the importance of caring for others at the expense of yourself.
Additionally, Hiddleston can do justice to the larger aspects of Vax's changes throughout The Legend of Vox Machina, including his deal with The Raven Queen. Hiddleston's emotional moments in Loki reflect many of Vax's own struggles with acceptance and the importance of caring for others at the expense of yourself. Not only that, but Hiddleston can hit on some of the darker moments Vax has, as seen in his work in Crimson Peak. Lastly, Hiddleston's natural charisma and attitude would easily fit into the sweeter moments of Vax's romance with Keyleth, making their ending especially bittersweet.
9 Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean, Pride & Prejudice)
Vex'ahlia "Vex" Vessar - Originally Played by Laura Bailey
Vex is the party's ranger and, similar to her brother Vax, is sassy, strong-willed, and strategic. She often plays her cards close to the vest but can also be mischievous, which can land the party in trouble. Knightley can capture both aspects of this, as seen in her character Elizabeth Swann from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Both characters are strong fighters and strategists who also easily get into trouble because of their adventurous nature.
Similar to Vax, Vex struggles with acceptance as well as codependency, especially after Vax takes the Raven Queen's deal. She also longs for approval from their distant father, aspects that Knightley also embodied in Elizabeth Swann. Knightley would also be able to play into the banter-filled nature of her courtship with Percy as she played Elizabeth Bennet in the 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Knightley's experience in both hand-to-hand combat and playing a classic strong-willed heroine would complement Vex while adding further dimensions to her character.
8 Jason Momoa (The DCU, Game of Thrones)
Grog Strongjaw - Originally Played by Travis Willingham
Grog, as the barbarian of the party, is usually the first to rush into battle with his famous catchphrase "I would like to rage!" What he lacks in traditional intellect he makes up for in strength and heart. Momoa's big personality and his role as Arthur Curry in Aquaman show how he can capture Grog easily, as Curry's fish-out-of-water moments mirror many of Grog's own instances of confusion, which inevitably leads to chaos. Momoa highlights this in Curry's quest for belonging, showing how he could tap into that deeper fear and desire as easily as the comedy.
Momoa would also be able to do Grog's arc justice, as Grog must find where his strength lies and face his past with his Uncle Kevdak. Though he has a sunny disposition, Grog also has darker moments in his The Legend of Vox Machina storyline. Momoa's time as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones can show audiences that side perfectly, especially when Sylas Briarwood's sword possesses Grog. Lastly, Momoa can portray Grog's companionship with Pike Trickfoot nicely, selling their friendship and mutual desire to protect others.
7 Kiruna Stamell (The Serpent Queen)
Pike Trickfoot - Originally Played by Ashley Johnson
Pike is the cleric of the party, with her patron being the goddess Sarenrae who represents light, healing, and redemption. This power matches Pike's disposition well, as she is gentle and kind and is often the one to offer a listening ear to the party. However, she is also quick-witted and willing to defend innocents to her last breath, as seen in the battle of Whitestone. Some of Stamell's prior work fits this well, but it would also be a contrast to her role in The Serpent Queen.
Stamell's casting could inspire Pike's crisis of faith to take a darker turn, adding new depth.
Stamell's role in that series is as the servant Mathilde, whose own amoral nature matches that of Catherine de' Medici. The contrast would highlight Stamell's range and skill as she demonstrated Mathilde's complexity while maintaining her characterization. Stamell would also match Pike's fortitude, as Mathilde stands her ground often in her duty to Catherine. Lastly, Stamell's casting could inspire Pike's crisis of faith to take a darker turn, adding new depth.
6 Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones, Cyrano)
Scanlan Shorthalt - Originally Played by Sam Riegel
Scanlan, as the bard of the party, is wild, charming, and able to come up with odd solutions to the most dire of situations. His uses of Bigby's Hand are some of the most memorable moments of the show, as well as his hilarious songs. Dinklage's role as both Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones and Cyrano de Bergerac in Cyrano would allow that to shine through, with Lannister matching Scanlan's quick mind and charm, while Cyrano suits his theatrical flair.
Dinklage would also do Scanlan's arc justice, as The Legend of Vox Machina character deals with his sense of heroism and his revelation that he has a daughter. Dinkalge's portrayal of Cyrano's noble and romantic nature would also provide a great contrast to his arc as well as embody Scanlan's shy desire for Pike. Lastly, Dinklage can match the energy of each song Scanlan sings into battle with his experience in theater.
5 Tom Ellis (Lucifer, Isn't It Romantic)
Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III - Originally Played by Taliesin Jaffe
Ellis, who starred in the romantic comedy Isn't It Romantic, would be able to capture moments of humor easily while also maintaining that seriousness.
Percy is the gunslinging fighter with many demons, both literal and metaphorical. Aloof and often slow to trust, Percy does have his moments of levity, as his dry wit undercuts any situation. Ellis, who starred in the romantic comedy Isn't It Romantic, would be able to capture those moments of humor easily while also maintaining that seriousness. His titular role in the show Lucifer can help with this as well, while also giving the casting a bit of irony due to Percy's backstory.
Percy's arc is one of the first audiences see as he faces off against the Briarwoods, the couple who stole his family and home. As a result, he makes a bargain with the demon Orthax, which allows him to invent his Pepperbox. Ellis would be able to capture that pain as easily as the humor, as his portrayal of the devil himself already embodied those qualities, with both Lucifer and Percy looking for redemption. Not only that, but he would be able to capture Percy's clear love of Vex throughout the story similarly to Lucifer's love for Chloe Decker.
4 Karen Gillan (The MCU, Jumanji)
Keyleth of the Air Ashari - Originally Played by Marisha Ray
Keyleth's druid magic is both powerful and versatile, with her abilities only growing as the story goes on. However, Keyleth is bubbly and shy while also battling with insecurity as she tries to face her Aramenté. Gillan would be able to hone in on both aspects due to her role in the MCU as Nebula and Ruby Roundhouse in the Jumanji franchise.
Nebula's arc in the MCU not only encapsulates her journey from villain to hero but also finds her learning to embrace her own power similarly to Keyleth. Also, Gillan can meet the comedic and action-packed beats due to her time in both roles, while also adding some physical comedy to her fights. Lastly, Keyleth's awkward reactions to Vax's confessions of love would land well as Gillan played out another awkward courtship as Roundhouse.
3 Winston Duke (The MCU, Nine Days)
Shaun Gilmore - Originally Played by Sunil Malhotra
Gilmore is one of the most beloved side characters in The Legend of Vox Machina. As a shopowner and powerful wizard, he is charismatic and kind and has several moments of heroics as he aids the party on their quest. Duke would embrace Gilmore's charisma with ease as it matches his own, as seen in his portrayal of M'Baku in the MCU.
Duke would also be able to capture Gilmore's affection for Vax, as well as his gentler moments, as seen in his role as Will in the film Nine Days.
M'Baku's humor and battle prowess fit Gilmore's despite him being a magic , with both utilizing a dramatic flair to match their might. While coming off as a bit standoffish, both characters care deeply for their friends. In his performance, Duke balances that care with M'Baku's strength and wit. Duke would also be able to capture Gilmore's affection for Vax, as well as his gentler moments, as seen in his role as Will in the film Nine Days.
2 Rebecca Ferguson (Dune, The Greatest Showman)
Delilah Briarwood - Originally Played by Grey Griffin
The Briarwood arc is one of the first big adventures of Vox Machina as they assist Percy in his quest for vengeance and liberation for his home. Delilah Briarwood's necrotic power and elegant wickedness make the character chilling as she and her husband outwit the party at several turns. Ferguson's roles in both Dune and The Greatest Showman would allow her to capture that chilling aura while also highlighting Delilah's cunning.
Ferguson's elegance in The Greatest Showman mirrors Delilah's, but it is her power and control that makes her so formidable. Having played a similar character in the Dune franchise, Ferguson would be able to show that power while also embracing how power can corrupt, even in the name of love. Delilah also relies on cunning and strategy through her political machinations, hiding her corruption. Ferguson's character in Reminiscence does something similar, though with kinder motives.
1 Joe Manganiello (True Blood)
Sylas Briarwood - Originally Played by Matthew Mercer
If Delilah is the master of magic, then Sylas is the master of muscularity. As a vampire, Sylas is a powerful physical opponent, making his battle with Grog toward the end of the series a true spectacle. Alongside that, Sylas is just as cunning as his wife, his vampiric charm able to bend anyone to their will. Manganiello could embrace that supernatural control easily after his time on True Blood while also giving the character some older vampiric flare.
Though he played a werewolf on True Blood, both characters have an iron control over their natures, which is needed in Sylas's case as he deceives his enemies. Manganiello's classical training at Carnegie Mellon University would also give Sylas a classic vampire feel as he can play into those well-known tropes. Finally, Manganiello's ion for Dungeons & Dragons would make him a natural fit for The Legend of Vox Machina, as he understands the broader mechanics of the story and even previously appeared in Critical Role.
The Legend of Vox Machina is streaming on Prime Video.
The Legend of Vox Machina
- Release Date
- January 28, 2022
- Network
- Amazon Prime Video
- Showrunner
- Brandon Auman
Cast
Laura Bailey
Marisha Ray
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on the characters and storylines from the first Dungeons and Dragons campaign in the web series Critical Role, The Legend of Vox Machina chronicles the adventures of a group of heroes for hire named Vox Machina as they attempt to protect the fictional continent of Tal'Dorei from various threats to the safety of its people. Set in a fantasy world of elves, gnomes, vampires, and even dragons, the series stars the cast of Critical Role playing their characters from the original campaign, with DM Matthew Mercer guest starring in various small roles throughout the series.
- Directors
- Sam Riegel, Brandon Auman
- Writers
- Sam Riegel
- Seasons
- 3
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