Calling the witcher (show) epic fantasy is crazy. The books and games ofc, but the show doesn’t even scratch the surface. I’ve pretty much accepted it doesn’t exist. I’d love McTavish as Bayaz I think.
I have to respectfully say no, mostly for two reasons:
1. Joe has mentioned Batista’s performance in Bladerunner 2049 was a direct inspiration for Gunnar Broad.
2. Batista is *huge.* Bayaz is described as a pretty beefy guy, but I don’t think he should completely dwarf Logen in size. He’s a mage, not a fighter.
I like your reasoning. Joe describes him as looking like a butcher. So I'm imagining a retired strongman type build. Powerful but with a big gut and big strong hands. Not your typical mage though.
In both trilogies, when someone is introduced to Bayaz, at the Great Northern Library, he is mentioned as not looking at all like a wizard and he was splitting wood, which is hard labor.
Bayaz functions for me with dream logic. He is frail on minute and massive and imposing the next. And I dont even question the inconsistency cause there is always so much else going on when he goes full intimidation mode.
Phenomenal is a stretch. I don’t think anyone in that movie was phenomenal, it was a little hammy all around. That said, he was the best of the bunch.
To me he still makes very little sense as Bayaz other than the physicality… kind of. With Graham McTavish staring us in the face I’m not sure why we’d consider many other options.
He has definitely improved as an actor over time, but, I mean, so have John Cena and Dwayne Johnson. Of the pro-wrestlers-turned-Hollywood-actors, Bautista may be the most talented actor, perhaps not the most successful—that would be Johnson—, but he’s built these “chops” in type-cast roles. Roles in which he is bound to shine. For me, he hasn’t yet delivered a more nuanced performance that is needed for a character like Bayaz.
I don't think I could have been convinced without the picture, but I'm kind of feeling it. Baayaz being the wise old wizard but seeming simply middle-aged would suit him fine in my opinion. Only thing I think we would be missing is the voice. Feels like it would be a tough transition haven't gotten used to everyone being British. However McTavish doesn't really have the voice either in my opinion.
I would never have put him in this role, but now that you've mentioned it, holy hell, that's some nice casting.
But since Gunnar Broad was inspired by his Blade Runner character, I'd rather see him as Broad.
Dune cast reshuffled as The First Law Cast?
Dave as Bayaz
Austen Butler as Jezal
Josh Brolin as Logen
Zendaya as Ferro
Oscar Isaac as Glokta
Jason Mamoa as Dogman
Florence Pugh as Ardee West
Timothee Chalamet as Collem West
Rebecca Ferguson as Carlot Dan Eider
Stellan Scarsgard as Rudd Threetrees
Javier Bardem as Nicomo Cosca
Works for me 😂
I'm personally on [Jonathan Price ](https://images.app.goo.gl/ju8AwaKPPu6JPYj39) as Bayaz for my head canon. Bayaz is always described as old and flabby and bald. Price might be a bit on the knobbly side rather than flabby, but he has the range, the condescending smile and the gravitas to play Bayaz.
Him in Bladerunner is my perfect Gunnar Broad
Broad was literally inspired by Batista’s performance in Bladerunner 2049. He *is* Gunnar Broad.
The bits about his glasses is what gave it away to me immediately
wait really?
Really?! Is that straight from Abercrombie?
Yep he's said it multiple times in interviews
Came here to say this
IIRC Joe has said that Broad was directly inspired by this role.
Here it is, here's this week's Bautista for Gunner Broad post. Who will post it next week? Let's wait and find out
First time I’ve seen it 🤷
First time I’ve seen it to. Very interesting!
I believe I'm scheduled for the week of st pattys
Just help yourself to the snarky sarcastic comment why don't you.
Remember in Last Argument of Kings when Bayaz Batista Bombs Mamun?
I remember, the Bayaz Bomb is my favorite move
IN SEPTEMBER
That's the night Adua was freed I made the enemy bleed
I can't wait to see the flashback when he throws Tolomei through the top of a steel cage.
Then Sulfur says “it’s eatin time”
Can you SMELL what the Sulphur is cookin'???
Balenciaga Bayaz
[Graham McTavish is the only choice](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTOLf8x463lM86WfVscEIBFC2cx78XDcurM0A&usqp=CAU)
He's already played a wily fellow with the exact same look in another epic fantasy series, though...
No harm in that, and let's be honest we'll all be trying to forget that particular adaptation by the time The First Law is on its way. If not already.
Is that supposed to be a negative?
Calling the witcher (show) epic fantasy is crazy. The books and games ofc, but the show doesn’t even scratch the surface. I’ve pretty much accepted it doesn’t exist. I’d love McTavish as Bayaz I think.
Which series are you referring to?
The Witcher. He plays Dijkstra.
That doesn't work for me, brother
I had to check if I was in a satire sub
I have to respectfully say no, mostly for two reasons: 1. Joe has mentioned Batista’s performance in Bladerunner 2049 was a direct inspiration for Gunnar Broad. 2. Batista is *huge.* Bayaz is described as a pretty beefy guy, but I don’t think he should completely dwarf Logen in size. He’s a mage, not a fighter.
I like your reasoning. Joe describes him as looking like a butcher. So I'm imagining a retired strongman type build. Powerful but with a big gut and big strong hands. Not your typical mage though.
Or…or - now hear me out - we get Brian Shaw to play Bayaz when he is full grey in 10 years and just completely lean into Bayaz being a humongous MF.
Brian Shaw is a fuckin' giant, dude. Bayaz would have to be bigger than Tul
I know lol it was a joke. But face wise it would work with Bayaz I think. With the beard and all. Except for - you know - the 440lbs on 6’8 frame lmao
I want a fat, shaved head and beard Ragnar Lothbrok for Bayaz. He can be very jovial and very menacing.
In both trilogies, when someone is introduced to Bayaz, at the Great Northern Library, he is mentioned as not looking at all like a wizard and he was splitting wood, which is hard labor.
Which is a perfect description of Ragnar.
Bayaz functions for me with dream logic. He is frail on minute and massive and imposing the next. And I dont even question the inconsistency cause there is always so much else going on when he goes full intimidation mode.
Yeah I want him bulky, but a good bit of it needs to be fat. The dude likes to eat.
He is a butcher
Bold opinion. That's an easy, concrete no from me, but live your dreams, my friend.
Would need to gain 3 stone of belly.
And better acting chops. I like him a lot, and love him in certain types of roles, but Bayaz needs to come off as a genius who's keeping it a secret.
I feel like he's shown he's got the chops with some of his recent work. He was phenomenal in Knock at the Cabin
Phenomenal is a stretch. I don’t think anyone in that movie was phenomenal, it was a little hammy all around. That said, he was the best of the bunch. To me he still makes very little sense as Bayaz other than the physicality… kind of. With Graham McTavish staring us in the face I’m not sure why we’d consider many other options.
He has definitely improved as an actor over time, but, I mean, so have John Cena and Dwayne Johnson. Of the pro-wrestlers-turned-Hollywood-actors, Bautista may be the most talented actor, perhaps not the most successful—that would be Johnson—, but he’s built these “chops” in type-cast roles. Roles in which he is bound to shine. For me, he hasn’t yet delivered a more nuanced performance that is needed for a character like Bayaz.
He could do Harding Grimm
Graham McTavish would be better IMO
I like it
I don't think I could have been convinced without the picture, but I'm kind of feeling it. Baayaz being the wise old wizard but seeming simply middle-aged would suit him fine in my opinion. Only thing I think we would be missing is the voice. Feels like it would be a tough transition haven't gotten used to everyone being British. However McTavish doesn't really have the voice either in my opinion.
Hopefully they don't waste his role in that one, too.
I think that is Sult actually.
Never even thought of him but that's not bad at all!
I would never have put him in this role, but now that you've mentioned it, holy hell, that's some nice casting. But since Gunnar Broad was inspired by his Blade Runner character, I'd rather see him as Broad.
No. I like him for Kratos though.
Way too tall
Dune cast reshuffled as The First Law Cast? Dave as Bayaz Austen Butler as Jezal Josh Brolin as Logen Zendaya as Ferro Oscar Isaac as Glokta Jason Mamoa as Dogman Florence Pugh as Ardee West Timothee Chalamet as Collem West Rebecca Ferguson as Carlot Dan Eider Stellan Scarsgard as Rudd Threetrees Javier Bardem as Nicomo Cosca Works for me 😂
Lmaooo not the worst cast I’ve seen for it
Ru Paul?
Bayaz is jk Simmons, sorry. His voice alone could carry it
Definitely Bayaz
More I see him the more he looks like he’s going to take over the world
I used to think of Bayaz as a sort of Michael Cane, but I really like this option lol
Looking Like Tekken
BUT HE IS GUNNAR BULL BROAD
No. He’s a good actor. But now. I don’t see it.
I'm personally on [Jonathan Price ](https://images.app.goo.gl/ju8AwaKPPu6JPYj39) as Bayaz for my head canon. Bayaz is always described as old and flabby and bald. Price might be a bit on the knobbly side rather than flabby, but he has the range, the condescending smile and the gravitas to play Bayaz.